The Aesthetica Short Film Festival is Awarded BAFTA Accreditation

The Aesthetica Short Film Festival (ASFF) is delighted to announce it is now a BAFTA recognised festival, an achievement that is unprecedented for a festival in its fourth year. This latest accolade stands testament to the creativity and bold programming of ASFF, which has now firmly established itself as a dynamic player on the film festival circuit.

BAFTA accreditation supports filmmakers selected for ASFF 2014’s Official Selection, who will benefit significantly from the publicity it creates. Cherie Federico, ASFF Director, comments: “Filmmakers competing at BAFTA qualifying festivals such as ASFF are exposing their films to a BAFTA committee, who otherwise wouldn’t be in a position to consider their work. We are honoured to receive this recognition, which supports our aim to champion outstanding short films, be a key destination for discovering fresh talent and to nurture today’s emerging film professionals.”

As ASFF moves into its fourth year, programming is underway to bring audiences a rich selection of films from across the world, in genres including advertising, animation, artists’ film, comedy, documentary, drama, experimental, fashion, music video and thriller as well as a family friendly strand. Screening venues are located throughout the City of York and include medieval halls, gastro-bars, art galleries and cinemas, enabling audiences to create their own unique viewing experience.

This year’s masterclass series presents insights into crucial parts of filmmaking such as funding, editing and production with representatives from leading film organisations including BAFTA, Association of Camera Operators, BlinkInk, Indiegogo, Double Negative, Ridley Scott Associates, Channel 4 and Beggars Group among others.

Masterclass speakers also include Director and Screenwriter Biyi Bandele (Half of a Yellow Sun); Film Critic Anna Smith (BBC, Empire, Time Out, Sight&Sound, Guardian), and Fashion Filmmaker Kathryn Ferguson (Chloe, Selfridges and Lady Gaga). The masterclasses are open to aspiring filmmakers and those who simply love film.

There will be several opportunities for industry networking and a chance to meet programmers from across the UK and the world at our Meet the Film Festivals event. Receive top tips on how to get your film noticed by representatives from major festivals including Raindance, Berwick Film and Media Arts Festival, Bradford Film Festival, British Urban Festival, Cabriolet Film Festival, Edinburgh International Film Festival, Encounters, London Film Festival, Sheffield Doc/Fest and Short Shorts & Asia Film Festival.

ASFF’s popular Meet the Filmmakers event offers a place for all ASFF attendees to meet some of the artists whose work is at the heart of ASFF 2014. There are also special screenings from Internationale Kurzfilmtage Winterthur (Switzerland), Clermont-Ferrand (France) and Creative England’s iShorts, as well as ASFF’s guest countries: Japan, Iraq and Lebanon – a showcase of films from around the world driving the genre of short film forward.

Further announcements with ASFF 2014’s complete programme will be released mid-September. For more information on the festival visit www.asff.co.uk and follow @asffest.

For more details on BAFTA short film categories click here.

Credits
1. Peter Sant, I Yam What I Yam… L’Invenzione (2013). ASFF 2013 Official Selection.

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