We're heading back to York for Aesthetica Short Film Festival!
Aesthetica Short Film Festival is one of the UK’s leading BAFTA and BIFA Qualifying film festivals, based in York. From 4-8 November 2026, the 16th edition will bring together filmmakers and industry leaders for screenings, masterclasses, panels, networking, pitching and more.
Join us on Wednesday 4 November for a roundtable conversation with our BFI NETWORK Talent Executives – your chance to ask questions, share ideas, and connect directly with our team and BFI-supported filmmakers. Then on Thursday 5 November we'll keep the conversation going at our filmmaker mixer – another opportunity to grow your network and find new collaborators.
Roundtable and mixer details:
Film Hub North Roundtable
Wednesday 4 November, 16:00 – 17:00
Spark, 17-21 Piccadilly, York YO1 9PB
Got a burning question about filmmaking, short film production or career development? Put it to our BFI Talent Executives and the filmmaking team behind a BFI-supported short.
This session is free to book on to and does not require a valid festival pass. Places are limited so please only sign up if you can attend.Learn more about Sparks's accessibility here.
Networking: Story Exchange: Ideas in Motion
Thursday 5 November, 12:00 – 13:30
York Theatre Royal (Upper Foyer), St. Leonard's Place, York YO1 7HD
Our filmmaker mixer is an informal meet-up for creatives working with narrative across film, television and digital media.
Whether you’re developing a feature, shaping a short, or exploring a new idea, this session invites you to meet others working with story in all its forms and stages. There’s no set agenda – come along, introduce yourself to someone new, and start a conversation.
This session requires a valid festival pass. Book yours here.
Learn more about York Theatre Royal's accessibility here.
