Aesthetica Short Film Festival

It's always nice to hear about a new festival on the block offering something a bit different and the upcoming inaugural Aesthetica Short Film Festival (ASFF) promises to be a pretty special celebration of short film, with 150 shorts (docs, fiction, animation, music video, artists' film...) being screened from 30 countries.  But what's really lovely about it is the setting - these shorts will be shown in historic venues around York.  A festival after our own hearts, ASFF will use 15 different locations around the city, so the discerning attendee can explore York's medieval halls, historic buildings and contemporary art spaces as they watch.  Lovely, lovely, York-y short film greatness.

There's a good selection of Masterclasses taking place during the festival too, including sessions with Ivana MacKinnon (associate producer of Slumdog Millionaire) and screenwriter Mark Hermann (The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas, Brassed Off, Little Voice).

As for the selection of films themselves... we really shouldn't play favourites, we know, but a quick scan of the very full programme throws up some great films that you might have missed at this year's Branchage, so do look out for INERTIA (Todd MacDonald), NOAH'S ARK (Sam Meech), THE HOLIDAY (Ida Akesson), SILENT THINGS (Rob Brown), JOIN THE DOTS (Jessica Lux), PARIS/SEXY (Ruth Paxton), ORRIBLE (Giles Ripley), COTE D'AZUR (Caroline Ward), WAR DANCE (Ed Edwards), and also here's a shout for the very funny THE MAESTRO (Chris & Ben Blaine), which we haven't screened, but have very much enjoyed.

 

'Paris/Sexy' Ruth Paxton

 

'Inertia' Todd MacDonald

Aesthetica Short Film Festival takes place 3rd to 6th November 2011. The festival organisers say 'Explore York. Experience Film.'  We say 'Yes, okay, that sounds pretty special'.

www.asff.co.uk