Aesthetica Short Film Festival returns to York this November: New Venues and More Screenings!

After a hugely successful inaugural year, Aesthetica is delighted to present the Aesthetica Short Film Festival (ASFF) in venues across the city of York in November 2012. The four-day festival programme will showcase some of the best short film from across the world, chosen from an open submissions call, and will include a rich bill of talks and guest screenings from leading film industry organisations.

Last year, the festival attracted over 15,000 visitors during its four-day run. ASFF 2011 brought a fresh, exciting event of unprecedented scope and scale to the city of York, with filmmakers and audiences attending from locations as diverse as South Africa, New Zealand, the USA and from across Europe, and key industry figures taking part. Among those delivering masterclasses were Mark Herman (Screenwriter, The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas), Ivana Mackinnon (Executive Producer, Slumdog Millionaire) and the Senior Commissioner for Channel 4. Alongside screenings, there were panel discussions, special events and parties such as Meet the Filmmakers, which provided an opportunity for filmmakers to network with each other and audiences alike.

In a programme of over 150 films from more than 30 countries and in all genres including drama, documentary, animation, comedy, music video, thriller, experimental and artists’ film, ASFF screens films in 15 distinct and historic locations. Creating a cinematic experience in venues as wide ranging as art galleries, hidden spaces in the medieval city walls, boutique cinemas, 15th century halls, an old Abbot’s House and a former seat of government, the programming responds to the buildings’ unique architecture. Ranging from the spectacular to the intimate, the emphasis is on visitors to the festival creating their own viewing experience.

As one of the UK’s most innovative and diverse short film festivals, ASFF promotes the importance of short film as a means of developing and progressing the next generation of creative talent. The multi-award winning Guerrier Brothers, whose film Cleaning Up won Best Thriller at ASFF 2011, have screened at festivals in the UK, America, Europe and Australia. They have recently joined production company Irresistible Films, whose clients include the BBC, Channel 4, MTV and a broad range of advertising clients. Frederic Casella’s hilarious Tooty’s Wedding has since screened at Sundance Film Festival, Rhode Island International Film Festival and the LA Comedy Festival.

This year’s programme covers every facet of short film-making and will feature an international line-up of highly respected filmmakers, commissioners, screenwriters, producers, cinematographers, distributors and cultural commentators who will take part in a highly anticipated programme of panel debates, discussions and masterclasses. See you there!

Keep your eyes peeled as details of the full programme will be announced during the coming months.

Tickets for ASFF are on sale-now. Be quick as they are selling fast!

ASFF 2012, 08/11/2012 until 09/11/2012, Various Locations, York. www.asff.co.uk