ASFF is one of the most exciting site-specific film festivals in the UK. While introducing festival-goers to memorable short film, its use of 15 distinct venues across York provides an opportunity to explore the historic and the contemporary as the festival鈥檚 backdrop. We present an overview of the event and pick out some highlights chosen by filmmakers, visitors and industry representatives who attended ASFF 2013.
Manjinder Virk took home the Best of Fest award at the closing night of (ASFF) for her acclaimed short Out of Darkness, which the 翱产蝉别谤惫别谤鈥檚 Chief Film Critic Mark Kermode has described as 鈥渋ntriguing and thought provoking鈥. Her success brought the third Aesthetica Short Film Festival to a rousing end and concluded a night of festivities that saw British director Staten Cousins-Roe win Best Comedy for his dark film about a euthanasia centre struggling to make up numbers and Poland鈥檚 Czlowiek Kamera top the Music Video category with Call Me in the Afternoon by Canadian band Half Moon Run.
The festival saw visitors from across the world descend upon York, all with a common love of film. For four days, the city was transformed into a boutique cinema with screenings taking place in iconic and hidden locations within the historic walled boundary. Guests experienced the best in international short filmmaking against the backdrop of some of the UK鈥檚 finest architectural treasures. The festival ran from 7 鈥 10 November and welcomed 16,500 admissions, over a 60% increase on 2012, bringing 拢223,000 to the city鈥檚 economy (based on Visit York鈥檚 calculations of 拢32.95 per day visitor and 拢80.36 per overnight visitor). It鈥檚 an extraordinary contribution to the region鈥檚 cultural heritage as well as to local businesses, which saw huge surges in numbers.
Saera Jin, who made the film Konnichiwa Brick Lane, possibly travelled the furthest to reach the festival, coming all the way from Tokyo, Japan; filmmakers also attended from Los Angeles, Kuwait, Israel, Canada, Norway, Sweden, France and Belgium amongst other places. The presence of the filmmakers added a real sense of excitement to the festival, with festival goers able to question them about their craft at the Meet the Filmmakers event on the Saturday night, which was a roaring success.
Attendees to the festival committed to its adventurous format, which converted iconic locations across the city into cinemas. Ultimately, it was an animation that stole the heart of viewers, with But Milk is Important (Eirik Gronmo Bjornsen and Anna Mantzaris from Norway) winning the People鈥檚 Choice as voted for by ASFF attendees throughout the festival itself. It was a hard-won prize, as the quality of the films on display was exceptional.
ASFF is unique in the UK festival circuit, transcending boundaries between art and film and dissolving traditional notions of cinema. Industry professionals sat beside curious members of the public along the rustic banqueting tables of the medieval to watch moving documentaries and new friends were made amidst the curios and suits of armour at the intimate . Interested parties joined Alice Lowe (Sightseers, Kill List, Mighty Boosh, Black Books) for an insightful glimpse into the world of screenwriting and ambitious filmmakers chatted with , and about producing opportunities and advice.
A great ambassador for film culture in the North of England and across the UK, ASFF鈥檚 appeal extends beyond the film industry it represents to communities across the UK. The festival welcomed 55 educational groups, comprising 1,500 students who attended due to the festival鈥檚 strong educational focus and enjoyed the diversity of Aesthetica鈥檚 bold programming.
The festival was a resounding success and received praised from across the board. Philip Ilson from the BFI London Film Festival particularly enjoyed the relationship between the festival and the enchanting city of York, he said: 鈥淎SFF was a great experience. It鈥檚 great to see a festival with a real difference and interacting with its city, which many festivals don’t seem to do鈥.
Katie Campbell from BAFTA commended the festival for 鈥渁nother brilliant year鈥 and Hussain Currimbhoy, Programmer at , was forthcoming in his admiration for the festival鈥檚 鈥渆xcellent audience and great vibe鈥. Barry Ryan from Warp films, creators of pioneering British cinema including Four Lions, This is England and Dead Man鈥檚 Shoe, presented a masterclass to a packed audience of 600 people at and was overwhelmed by the turnout, saying: 鈥淚t was amazing to see the festival so busy鈥.
Festival Director Cherie Federico commented: 鈥淲e鈥檙e so pleased with this year鈥檚 event. The filmmakers were exceptional while the atmosphere and excitement of our visitors made York an incredible place to be this November. We鈥檝e had some wonderful feedback and have several exciting plans for 2014.鈥
Kate McMullen, Head of , was proud to be involved with the festival: 鈥淎SFF is a fantastic event that raises the bar for York鈥檚 international art and culture profile. We were delighted to welcome visitors from across the UK and oversees. York鈥檚 short film festival, organised by 人妻少妇专区, is now one of the top three in the UK bringing important economic benefits for the whole city and has the potential to grow and grow. We very much look forward to ASFF 2014.鈥
Credits
1. Warp Films Masterclass at York Theatre Royal, venue for ASFF 2013. Image credited to
