15-07-2025
Big names from film and TV descend on York for packed five-day festival
BIG names from film and television will descend on York for five days as a popular festival expands and embarks on a new era.
The Aesthetic Film Festival is now in its 15th year and promises to be the biggest yet when it is staged in York from November 5 to 9.
The annual BAFTA-qualifying festival has grown into one of the largest screen and media events in the UK, and plans have been unveiled for a brand-new series of evening events at York Theatre Royal for 2025.
Entitled 'Beyond the Frame', the events will run for four of the five nights of the festival as part of plans for Aesthetica to evolve beyond a traditional film festival into a celebration of screen culture, live performance and fresh voices.
The four Theatre Royal events will blend comedy with conversation, film and music, kicking off on Wednesday 5 November with stand-up comedy night Sophie Duker & Friends: Three Brilliant Women.
Bella Hull will feature in Sophie Duker & Friends: Three Brilliant Women (Image: Submitted)It will feature Sophie Duker (Taskmaster, Live at the Apollo, Mock the Week and Frankie Boyle's New World Order), Eleanor Tiernan (BBC3's Stand Up For Live Comedy, Radio 4's The News Quiz) and Bella Hull (Comedy Central Live, ITV's The Stand Up Sketch Show, and BBC's Stand Up for Live Comedy).
On Thursday 6 November, The Dodge Brothers will bring their acclaimed live score to Beg gars of Life (1928), a landmark American silent film starring Louise Brooks for a collision of classic cinema and live music.
The Dodge Brothers (photo by Mark Tipping) (Image: Submitted) With film critic and BBC presenter Mark Kermode on double bass and harmonica and joined by Neil Brand – celebrated silent film accompanist and star of BBC Four's Sound of Cinema – on piano, this ensemble transforms a black-and-white masterpiece into a cinematic event.
The Dodge Brothers' performances include Glastonbury, Latitude, BBC Radio 2, The Culture Show and The One Show, and they have built a cult following for their foot-stomping sound and genre-defying performances.
Audiences can join Mark Kermode: In Conversation with Jenny Nelson, award-winning radio producter, on Friday 7 November as they explore the power of film music, inspired by their new book Mark Kermode's Surround Sound.
RECOMMENDED READS:
£1m makeover transforms prime York site into new hub for beauty professionals
York leisure centres throw doors open for free open weekend
Mark is a BAFTA member and Observer columnist, known for his razor-sharp reviews on Kermode & Mayo's Take and bestselling books like The Good, The Bad and The Multiplex.
Jenny produced Mark's Scala Radio film music show for five years and brings behind-the-scenes expertise and a broadcaster's ear to the conversation.
Finally, on Saturday 8 November, ten emerging UK artists and bands will compete live throughout the day at Sound & Vision: New Music Talent Stage on the Main House stage, spanning genres from indie and folk to grime, jazz, and experimental pop.
Audiences are invited to experience the future of sound. Attendees will be able to get a music pass and have flexibility to see the bands throughout the day.
Cherie Federico, director of Aesthetica, said: 'This year, with the launch of Beyond the Frame at York Theatre Royal, we are expanding the boundaries of what a festival can be - merging cinema, comedy, music and conversation into a bold new platform for live, interdisciplinary storytelling. It marks a pivotal step in our evolution, creating unforgettable shared experiences and spotlighting the voices shaping screen culture today.'
York Theatre Royal is teaming up with the Aestetica Film Festival by staging events over four days (Image: Submitted) Paul Crewes, CEO of York Theatre Royal said, 'We have been supporters of the Aesthetica Film Festival since its inception 15 years ago. We are delighted to work with them on this exciting new season of events which expands their festival programme.
"We are always looking for ways to bring something new to York's cultural scene – and with the city's designation as a UNESCO City of Media Arts, this felt like the perfect partnership. Fusing comedy, conversation, film and music into one incredible line-up of events, we are excited to welcome audiences in for something entirely new this Autumn!'
All events are on sale from the York Theatre Royal Box Office (01904 623568) or online at
York Theatre Royal will also be a venue for the ASFF 2025 line-up of film screenings and masterclasses (05-09 Nov). For more details visit the Aesthetica website.
