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 the ASFF website.