Aesthetica Short Film Festival

Today, we’re delighted to launch the Official Trailer for Aesthetica Film Festival 2026, offering a first look at the titles screening across this year’s event, running 4-8 November in York, UK. More than 300 films will play across 15 genres, taking over venues across York such as City Screen Picturehouse, Friargate Theatre, York Theatre Royal, Yorkshire Museum and more. Our ...

The animated children’s series Puffin Rock was streamed on Netflix for over 26.7 million hours in 2024. It is now available on CBeebies, and follows a young puffin named Oona and her baby brother Baba. Narrated by Chris O’Dowd, and set on a beautiful Irish island, the show explores nature, friendship and family through their adventures. At Aesthetica Film Festival 2026, we ar...

For 2026, Aesthetica is evolving beyond a traditional film festival model into a wider celebration of screen culture, live performance and storytelling. Beyond the Frame is a season of evening performances at York Theatre Royal, injecting comedy and live performance into an already-packed programme of screenings and industry events. From silent film screenings accompanied by ...

As part of BAFTA-Qualifying Aesthetica Film Festival, Reignite XVII brings the UK’s UNESCO Creative Cities Network in York for a landmark conversation about the role culture can play in shaping the future of places. The event will be opened by Mayor of York and North Yorkshire, David Skaith, setting the stage for a programme of panels and talks from cities across the network,...

For five decades, Aardman has made audiences laugh, empathise and fall in love with characters built from clay, wire, foam and imagination. In 2026, the legendary Bristol-based animation studio celebrates its 50th anniversary, marking half a century of stop-motion storytelling that is synonymous with British creativity. To celebrate, Aesthetica Film Festival welcomes Aardman ...