During the 2025 Aesthetica film festival, we spoke with its co-founder, Dale Donley about the importance of being seen as an aspiring filmmaker, and why film festivals are important.
Aesthetica Film Festival is an annual gathering of filmmakers where screenings, workshops, masterclasses and networking takes place. It spans across several venues in York, taking over the historical city as a hub for creativity.
Here is a snippet of our interview with Dale…
Question: Why should aspiring filmmakers attend the film festival?
“You have regular people talking to very experienced industry people who can have the power and the influence and the contacts and the money to give you a job, give you contracts and change your life.
“You come here and we mix – it’s incorporated into the program. We do free networking events. People come to us and they meet each other and they collaborate and make films together.”
Fun fact:
WHOOPS: Aesthetica Film Festival began by “accident” when Dale and co-founder Cherie Federico began a competition. Short films could be considered to be featured in a DVD inside the magazine. They got so many entries, they decided to start a whole new film festival! Now it’s one of the UK’s leading ones, stretched across several days in York.
Question: What makes an award-winning film?
“If the filmmaker cannot connect emotionally to a human being, then those films have got a really high chance of being rejected.
“If you can watch a film, then think about that film, and dream about the film, and if that film is still in your head the next day and you can’t get it out , that’s the film I want you to show us.”
Question: What’s so great about Aesthetica Film Festival?
“We don’t care who you are or what you’ve done before. If your work is good, we will write about you.”
Tips from us:
The filmmaking industry is one where communicating, networking and learning are important.
Although contracts are not guaranteed, film festivals are good places to attend, regardless of whether you have submitted a film or not!
If anything, they give you the opportunity to connect with like-minded creatives.
However, we recognise that film festivals can also be difficult for people who struggle with socialising and loud spaces. We would recommend bringing a friend with you and planning ahead to ensure minimal stress.
Prequel Magazine 