The BAFTA Qualifying Aesthetica Short Film Festival (ASFF) announces its programme for 2015. This year’s enticing line-up of films and specials events is now available to view and download online. With over 300 films selected for screening across 11 categories including advertising, animation, artists’ film, comedy, dance, documentary, drama, experimental, fashion, music video and thriller, as well as a record number of 24 masterclasses and panel discussions, ASFF’s fifth anniversary edition is set to be one to remember.
Taking place from 5-8 November, the festival returns to the historic city of York to host a stunning selection of world-class, innovative works and offers audiences the chance to view an exclusive series of UK premieres. Calling upon the talents of both established and emerging filmmakers, ASFF proudly champions and supports independent film from across the world, and this year welcomes special screenings from guest countries China, Brazil and Cuba.
As ASFF enters its fifth instalment, the festival takes the time to reflect on an ever-expanding programme. In five years, it has screened over 1,500 films from more than 65 countries and hosted countless masterclasses, networking sessions, parties, and more. Since gaining BAFTA accreditation in 2014, ASFF has also been able to offer the added bonus of eligibility for the BAFTA British Short Film and Animation Awards to all films in the Official Selection.
This year, the universal appeal of film and storytelling shines through in a range of traditional and contemporary genres including fashion and advertising, which return after a successful debut in 2014, and dance, which takes its very first bow as an independent film strand. The festival celebrates past winners in carefully curated 5th Anniversary screenings, as well as outstanding film in the French language. It also plays host to a special showing of Simon Armitage’s and Richard Heslop’s film The Raft and reunites with Creative England for a selection of film from iShorts.
ASFF’s 24-strong masterclass series provides an opportunity to connect with industry leaders. This year, the festival welcomes speakers from major film organisations, including creative agency White Lodge (Vogue, Karen Millen and Louis Vuitton), Channel 4, Rankin Film, the Association of Camera Operators, Oscar and BAFTA Award Winning VFX Giant Framestore and many others.
Alongside this, the festival’s accompanying events also provide excellent networking opportunities and include Meet the Film Festivals and Meet the Filmmakers. These enable audiences to connect with programmers from organisations such as Raindance, London Short Film Festival, Dublin International Film Festival, Berlin Fashion Film Festival and more, and find out exactly what festivals from around the world are looking for, while hearing directly from filmmakers whose work is at the heart of ASFF.
Transforming the city’s most iconic locations through cinema, the festival invites viewers of all ages to create their own unique viewing experience and discover new film from a global filmmaking community. The 2015 programme is compiled to appeal to everyone, and includes a dedicated family friendly programme for younger audiences.
View and share the ASFF 2015 Programme.
For tickets and more information, visit www.asff.co.uk/tickets.
Follow the festival on Twitter @asffest for the latest news in film in the UK and internationally.
Credits
1. Pinch Me for Ted Baker, Crowns & Owls (White Lodge).
