International Film Festival brings industry and students together
Filmmakers, screenwriters and directors
will be sharing some their top tips with an audience that includes
York St John University’s film and media students, during a series
of masterclasses to be held at the University on Friday 9 November
as part of the Aesthetica Short Film Festival (ASFF).
ASFF is an annual event celebrating short
filmmaking from around the world. This year’s festival will
showcase talent from 25 countries with over 200 film screenings,
premiers and masterclasses taking place in 15 historic and iconic
venues across York, between 8 and 11 November.
York St John University is the lead sponsor of
ASFF 2012 and will be welcoming several industry experts to the
University, from 12:30pm on Friday 9 November, to deliver
masterclasses on subjects such as media revolution, screenwriting,
animation, film criticism and cinematography.
The masterclasses will give students and film
fans a real insight into some of the industry’s best secrets,
including how to get a production moving in the current landscape
from filmmaker and director of London Screenwriters’ Festival,
Chris Jones; How to make a screenplay stand out, with tips on how
to succeed from BAFTA award winning screenwriter, Matt Greenhalgh;
and Chris Thomas of Raindance will be offering a viable plan and
dozens of tips on what works in the business, including a
troubleshooting session covering shooting tips, finding cast and
crew and climbing the career ladder.
Channel 4 will be sending two delegates to
ASFF this year. Short Form Editor Ravi Amaratunga will present on
the revival of short film and its relationship with the changing
way in which we watch film, in the cinema, and most importantly,
online. Meanwhile, Tabitha Jackson, 4’s Commissioning Editor for
the Arts, will bring her considerable experience and industry
insight to a presentation on the relationship between film and
visual art, and how recent developments, particularly in
television, promise to make this high culture form more accessible
to a general audience
Rounding off ASFF’s 2012 programme of
masterclasses is a panel discussion on film criticism: a lively
debate about the role of the critic in the film industry with
contributors including Matt Bochenski of Little White Lies, Ginette
Vincendeau Professor of Film at King’s College London and
contributor to Sight And Sound and Jason Wood, Director of Curzon
Cinemas.
Professor David Fleming, Vice Chancellor of
York St John University, said: “We are very proud to be the main
sponsor of the 2012 Aesthetica Short Film Festival. The festival is
a fantastic addition to York’s event calendar and we are very much
looking forward to being part of it. Our students, especially
those studying film and media, will certainly benefit from our
involvement. And we are all looking forward to welcoming the many
inspirational people from the film industry who will be visiting
our campus to deliver talks and events.”
Festival Director, Cherie Federico, said: “We
are delighted to be working with York St John University for ASFF
2012. Partnering with the University is a fantastic way to combine
both professional practice and cinematic experience into one event.
There is a vast range of industry experts who will be sharing best
practice on campus for both the students of York St John University
but also the city at large. In addition to the workshops, we will
be screening 200 films throughout the city over the weekend, and
this is a great opportunity for attendees to explore a new cinema,
ultimately expanding viewers’ choice.”
To find out more about ASFF and to buy passes
and tickets please visit http://www.asff.co.uk/.
For further press information please contact Louise
McKenzie, PR & Communications Officer on T: 01904 876466 or
E: l.mckenzie@yorksj.ac.uk