AestheticaFilmFest

Book Your Tickets: #ASFF2026 The 16th edition of Aesthetica Film Festival is the place to discover independent cinema, VR and games, podcasts & more. Join us for five days of screenings, masterclasses, networking and workshops. 4-8 November, York, UK: asff.co.uk/tickets

Discover the art-pop mastermind praised by MOJO! Multi-instrumentalist Dilettante discusses the realities of navigating today's music industry in an open Q&A, wrapping up with a must-see live performance. @YorkTheatre Royal Main House (21:00 start) asff.co.uk/events

Get to know the creatives at the heart of Aesthetica! Join us and post-production @Sticksandglass for a complimentary glass of wine, great conversations and peer connections at this evening networking event. Rose Within The Walls (20:00 start) asff.co.uk/events

Tag us in your festival photos! How are you spending Saturday in York? Share your favourite moments from the cinemas, stages and labs using #ASFF2026.

Fill your evening with fantastic live music at Part 2 of our New Music Stage! Catch five shortlisted breakthrough acts performing across indie, hip-hop, alt-pop, and folk. Join us from 18:00 at York Theatre. Free with Festival Pass, no booking required: asff.co.uk/2026-new-music-st…

Get your music heard on national radio and festival stages! Radio host @jjiszatt leads an essential session on how breakthrough artists get championed across Radio 1, TV and major UK festival lineups. @YorkTheatreRoyal Main House (17:00 start) asff.co.uk/events

Discover how music gets placed across film and television! @UMG, @RoughTrade and @Dominorecordco break down sync licensing, followed by an informal networking session for filmmakers and composers. York Theatre Royal Upper Foyer (15:45 start) asff.co.uk/events

Launch your film on the global festival circuit! Programmers from @ASFFest, @BFIFlare, @LSFF, and @ReclaimTheFrame reveal how to make your submission stand out and get selected. @YorkStJohn De Grey Lecture Theatre (15:00 start) asff.co.uk/events

What does the near future of visual effects actually look like? Creatives behind 'House of the Dragon' explore cutting-edge tools and workflows transforming feature film and commercial production in this VFX masterclass. @YorkTheatreRoyal Studio (13:30 start) asff.co.uk/events

Master the business behind independent filmmaking! Official Selection filmmakers unpack how to secure funding, protect ownership rights, and navigate sales agents and modern distribution. @YorkStJohn De Grey Lecture Hall (13:30 start) asff.co.uk/events

Discover the headliners of tomorrow! Experience live sets from the UK's most exciting breakthrough artists spanning indie, hip-hop, alt pop and folk in of our New Music Stage competition. Live Now! @YorkTheatre Royal Main House (13:00) asff.co.uk/events

Discover publicity secrets behind hits like 'Barbie' and 'Smile'! Julie La'Bassiere of @DDAglobal_ shares film promotion advice on crafting standout trailers, landing press reviews and building buzz. @YorkStJohn De Grey Lecture Theatre (12:00 start) asff.co.uk/events

Step inside the wardrobe of world-class TV drama! Costume designer Anne Rudd reveals how she brought 'Father Brown' and 'Silent Witness' to life, immersing audiences in time and place. @YorkTheatre Royal Studio (12:00 start) asff.co.uk/events

Discover what it takes to break into the music industry! Our New Music Stage Jury of leading labels and music journalists unpacks how emerging talent gets discovered, developed and supported. @YorkTheatreRoyal Main House (12:00 start) asff.co.uk/events

Uncover how iconic screen music shapes emotion on screen! Composer Anna Rice joins Wise Music's Kathryn Rodger for a screen scoring masterclass, sharing behind-the-scenes insights from landmark hits 'The Crown' and 'God of War'. @YorkTheatreRoyal Studio (10:30 start) asff.co.uk/events

Where do you draw the line in documentary? Producers behind 'Leaving Neverland' and Louis Theroux’s 'Inside the Manosphere' explore ethics, truth and creative responsibility in modern non-fiction. @YorkStJohn's De Grey Lecture Theatre (10:30 start) asff.co.uk/events

Catch the New Music Stage today! Live music kicks off at 12:00 with our jury panel, then Part 1 of the live sets at 13:00. Hear ten of the most exciting new voices across alt-pop, soul and indie rock. Venue: York Theatre Royal (Free with Festival Pass) asff.co.uk/new-music

We are open– Day 2 of the UNESCO City of Media Arts Expo! Discover studios creating VFX, games & TV for Apple TV+, BBC & Sky. Test immersive tech, meet collaborators, and unlock career routes into the creative industries. Free to attend. De Grey Rooms: mediacityexpo.com

Wrap up an inspiring Friday with drinks and new connections! Dusk hosts our official party on New Street, making it the perfect spot to regroup with friends, meet industry peers and celebrate. Dusk & Drawing Board (20:00 start) asff.co.uk/events

We've teamed up with @audibleuk premiere four incredible new short films! Catch the big-screen premiere, meet the directors in an exclusive Q&A, and celebrate with complimentary arrival drinks and a live DJ networking session. @CityScreenYork (19:00) asff.co.uk/events

Discover what @BBCWriters look for in new drama! With 20 years behind the scenes @macneighill leads a screenwriting masterclass packed with practical advice on finding your authorial voice and writing scripts that stand out. @YorkshireMuseum (17:30) asff.co.uk/events