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

We are delighted to announce this year's winners at #ASFF2026

Huge congratulations to all of our Official Selection films, games, music, podcasts and VR projects.

Find out more about this year's festival and the winners on our website: asff.co.uk/asff-2026-winn…

Toast to an incredible festival run!

After the Awards Ceremony, head over to our official After Party networking event for a final drinks reception to celebrate this year's impressive cinematic achievements together.

Thor's Museum Garden (20:00 start) asff.co.uk/events

Celebrate the absolute best of Aesthetica!

Join filmmakers, delegates and audiences as we award top honours across all genres and crown the highly anticipated Best of Fest winner at this prestigious closing ceremony.

@YorkshireMuseum (16:30 start) asff.co.uk/events

What was your festival highlight?

From standout screenings to unexpected discoveries, tell us what defined your week using #ASFF2026.

Last chance to walk the immersive art trail!

Being Now Here's 'Henge: Echoes Through Time' is an interactive installation uncovering layers of sound, touch and memory. Explore all 3 outdoor stops before they close tonight.

Follow the art trail in York: asff.co.uk/art-trail

Make your final festival connections count!

Join our relaxed Last Chance Encounters networking event to reflect on the week, share creative ideas and build future partnerships across film, television and XR.

Happening Now at City Screen Basement (11:00 start) asff.co.uk/events

Congratulations to the winner of the New Music Stage 2026: WineMom

The Dublin-based four piece are fresh off a wave of successes, during which they took to some of the biggest stages across Ireland and the UK.

To listen to all of the fantastic musicians: asff.co.uk/2026-new-music…

Last chance to play at the Games Lab!

Doors close at 18:30 tonight. Challenge friends to hands-on play sessions across 50+ titles, spanning consoles, PC setups, virtual reality and mobile.

National Centre for Early Music (Register with a Festival Pass) asff.co.uk/vr-games-lab

Final hours at the Virtual Reality Lab!

Doors close at 18:30 tonight. Journey beyond the screen with 360° virtual reality, global documentaries and filmmaker panels from our eighth edition.

National Centre for Early Music (Register with a Festival Pass) asff.co.uk/vr-games-lab

Last chance to visit the Podcast Lounge!

Doors close at 18:30 tonight. Catch final listening sessions across non-fiction and drama, exploring memory, resilience and people standing in their power.

Venue: City Screen Basement (Free with Festival Pass) asff.co.uk/events

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…

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