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Introduction to the film festival

The Aesthetica Short Film Festival is BAFTA and BIFA-Qualifying and takes place in York, UK. It is one of the UK’s largest and most revered film events.

We love independent film. It is at the heart of everything that we do. Our programming and curation are innovative and expansive. We believe that great film is transformative, and creativity should be shared.

The Official Selection includes approximately 300 shorts, Podcasts Games and VR and immersive works across 15 competitive categories. Alongside these programmes, we work with industry partners to curate guest programmes with impact. Recent organisations include BBC Comedy, New York Times, BFI Doc Society, We Are Parable, Directors' Notes, Scottish Documentary Institute and Film4, amongst others.

Aesthetica is an important outlet for moving image and digital culture, creating a platform that champions film and creatives from across the world. Equality, diversity and creativity underpin the entire programme. We believe in making opportunity for filmmakers and talent development is at the core of our industry programming.

Industry activity includes industry masterclasses, panel discussions, networking and pitching sessions with distributors such as Film4, BBC Films and Studiocanal. Previous guests include Dame Judi Dench, Asif Kapadia, Sally Potter, Francis Lee, Andrea Arnold, Sarah Gavron, Dick Pope, Sam Feder, Jeanie Finlay, Paul Franklin, Glenn Freemantle, Chinonye Chukwu, Maxine Peake, Philippa Lowthorpe, Rankin, Jeremy Deller, Simon Chinn as well as representatives from the likes of Aardman, Audible, BBC Films, Film4, BBC Writers Room, Framestore, Industrial Light & Magic, British Vogue, Ridley Scott Associates, and many more.


Awards

We are looking for filmmakers who are driving film forward through inspirational and innovative works. Whether you are an established or emerging practitioner, we want to see your work.

We are also looking for game developers and podcasters to submit work for our Games Lab and Podcasting Lounge, as we expand our reach to recognise talent across film, games, XR and podcasts.

Aesthetica is one of the UK’s leading film events, recognised by the BFI as a Festival of National Significance and being both BAFTA and BIFA-Qualifying for short film.

All films selected will screen in competition and will be eligible for our Best in Category Awards which are decided by a jury of industry experts.

Aesthetica also presents a number of special awards which offer project support, services as well as a combined total of £5000 in cash prizes.

Special Awards:
- Best of Festival – all selected films eligible
- Best Cinematography – all selected films eligible
- Best Director – all selected films eligible
- Best Editing – all selected films eligible
- Best Screenplay – all selected films eligible

Category Awards:
- Best Advertising Film
- Best Animation
- Best Artists' Film
- Best Comedy
- Best Dance Film
- Best Documentary
- Best Drama
- Best Experimental Film
- Best Family Friendly Film
- Best Music Video
- Best Thriller
- Best Video Game
- Best VR, Immersive & 360 Project
- Best Podcast

Rules

Genre ：
Subject ：
Video Format ：HDV MPEG4 DCP MOV

Film Submission Guidelines:

• Short films should have a maximum running time of 30 minutes.


Virtual Reality & 360 Guidelines

• VR experience projects under 30 minutes will be considered for this category. 

• All films must be compatible with MetaQuest 2, MetaQuest 3 or HTC Vive headsets.


General Guidelines

• All films in languages other than English must have burnt in subtitles.

• We do not have a premiere requirement. We will accept submissions of films that have previously screened elsewhere, including at other festivals.

Evaluation

Jury Profile
Jury Name Judge photos Jury Profile

Authorization type

    Proxy Submission

Duration (several sessions)

    16

Film Festival Features

  • Red Carpet
  • Celebrity Guest
  • Filmscreen
  • Cash prize
  • Trophy

Dates & Deadlines

  • 2025-12-01
    Submission start time

  • 2026-05-29
    Regular Deadline

  • 2026-06-05
    Late Deadline

  • 2026-06-05
    Submission end time

  • 2026-08-29
    Finalist notification start time

  • 2026-08-29
    Finalist notification end time

  • 2026-11-04
    Award ceremony start time

  • 2026-11-08
    Award ceremony end time

Categories and fees

  • Advertising Film (Short Film)
    Video length ：0 - 30
    Advertising films under 30 minutes will be considered for this category.

    2026/05/29
    Regular Deadline

    Standard: 44 Dollar

    2026/06/05
    Late Deadline

    Standard: 59 Dollar

    Submit to the Festival
  • Animation (Short Film)
    Video length ：0 - 30
    Animated films under 30 minutes will be considered for this category.

    2026/05/29
    Regular Deadline

    Standard: 44 Dollar

    2026/06/05
    Late Deadline

    Standard: 59 Dollar

    Submit to the Festival
  • Artists' Film (Short Film)
    Video length ：0 - 30
    Artists' films under 30 minutes will be considered for this category.

    2026/05/29
    Regular Deadline

    Standard: 44 Dollar

    2026/06/05
    Late Deadline

    Standard: 59 Dollar

    Submit to the Festival
  • Comedy (Short Film)
    Video length ：0 - 30
    Comedy films under 30 minutes will be considered for this category.

    2026/05/29
    Regular Deadline

    Standard: 44 Dollar

    2026/06/05
    Late Deadline

    Standard: 59 Dollar

    Submit to the Festival
  • Dance Film (Short Film)
    Video length ：0 - 30
    Dance films under 30 minutes will be considered for this category.

    2026/05/29
    Regular Deadline

    Standard: 44 Dollar

    2026/06/05
    Late Deadline

    Standard: 59 Dollar

    Submit to the Festival
  • Documentary (Short Film)
    Video length ：0 - 30
    Documentary films under 30 minutes will be considered for this category.

    2026/05/29
    Regular Deadline

    Standard: 44 Dollar

    2026/06/05
    Late Deadline

    Standard: 59 Dollar

    Submit to the Festival
  • Drama (Short Film)
    Video length ：0 - 30
    Drama films under 30 minutes will be considered for this category.

    2026/05/29
    Regular Deadline

    Standard: 44 Dollar

    2026/06/05
    Late Deadline

    Standard: 59 Dollar

    Submit to the Festival
  • Experimental (Short Film)
    Video length ：0 - 30
    Experimental films under 30 minutes will be considered for this category.

    2026/05/29
    Regular Deadline

    Standard: 44 Dollar

    2026/06/05
    Late Deadline

    Standard: 59 Dollar

    Submit to the Festival
  • Fashion (Short Film)
    Video length ：0 - 30
    Fashion Films under 30 minutes will be considered for this category.

    2026/05/29
    Regular Deadline

    Standard: 44 Dollar

    2026/06/05
    Late Deadline

    Standard: 59 Dollar

    Submit to the Festival
  • Family Friendly (Short Film)
    Video length ：0 - 30
    Family Friendly Films under 30 minutes will be considered for this category.

    2026/05/29
    Regular Deadline

    Standard: 44 Dollar

    2026/06/05
    Late Deadline

    Standard: 59 Dollar

    Submit to the Festival
  • Music Video (Short Film)
    Video length ：0 - 30
    Music Videos under 30 minutes will be considered for this category.

    2026/05/29
    Regular Deadline

    Standard: 44 Dollar

    2026/06/05
    Late Deadline

    Standard: 59 Dollar

    Submit to the Festival
  • Thriller (Short Film)
    Video length ：0 - 30
    Thriller films under 30 minutes will be considered for this category.

    2026/05/29
    Regular Deadline

    Standard: 44 Dollar

    2026/06/05
    Late Deadline

    Standard: 59 Dollar

    Submit to the Festival
  • Games
    Video length ：0 - 300
    Video games now provide an immersive experience. We see the journeys into narrative design as a crucial way to understand the way that storytelling is evolving and changing. At the Aesthetica Games Lab, we will exhibit up to 50 projects, offering you the ideal testbed for your new ideas with audiences. We are celebrating game culture, design and production through this Lab, which is enhanced by a number of panels and talks.

    2026/05/29
    Regular Deadline

    Standard: 44 Dollar

    2026/06/05
    Late Deadline

    Standard: 59 Dollar

    Submit to the Festival
  • Podcasts
    Video length ：0 - 300
    Podcasts offer an immersive storytelling experience. We see the evolution of audio narratives as a crucial way to understand how storytelling is transforming and adapting to modern audiences. At the Aesthetica Podcast Lab, we will showcase up to 20 groundbreaking productions, providing the perfect space to explore new ideas and engage listeners. We are celebrating podcast culture, production and innovation through this Lab, enriched by a series of panels and discussions with leading voices in the industry. This is a place to sit down, tune in and discover the best new podcasts.

    2026/05/29
    Regular Deadline

    Standard: 44 Dollar

    2026/06/05
    Late Deadline

    Standard: 59 Dollar

    Submit to the Festival
  • VR, Immersive & 360 Films
    Video length ：0 - 30
    VR experience projects under 30 minutes will be considered for this category. All films must be compatible with MetaQuest 2, MetaQuest 3 or HTC Vive headsets. We cannot provide any additional specialist equipment beyond headsets and VR computers.

    2026/05/29
    Regular Deadline

    Standard: 59 Dollar

    2026/06/05
    Late Deadline

    Standard: 73 Dollar

    Submit to the Festival

Related film festivalMore

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