(Image: Aesthetica Film Festival)
A major creative industries festival is helping to transform York and North Yorkshire into a hub for new talent and enterprise.
The Aesthetica Film Festival, a BAFTA-qualifying event, is drawing industry leaders to the region, opening doors for filmmakers and creative businesses to network with producers, commissioners, and investors.
Cherie Federico, director of Aesthetica, said: "Aesthetica Film Festival brings the industry to York.
"It means that people who are making work here do not always have to leave the region to meet commissioners, producers, distributors, investors and other creative professionals."
The festival forms part of a wider ecosystem that includes the UNESCO City of Media Arts EXPO and a series of industry workshops.
These events are designed to connect creative talent with national and international networks, helping to turn ideas into commercial opportunities.
The UK’s creative industries generated £145.8bn in Gross Value Added in 2024, representing around 5.6 per cent of UK GVA and supporting 2.4 million jobs.
York’s growing reputation in media, arts and digital technology is supported by strong cultural infrastructure and academic institutions.
Ms Federico said: "We want people to see York and North Yorkshire not only as a place where creative work happens, but as a place where creative companies can build sustainable futures."