Families are at the heart of Aesthetica Film Festival 2025, taking place from 5th to 9th November 2025. York transforms into a hub of creativity and imagination, offering children and parents experiences they cannot find anywhere else in the city. From films and workshops to VR, games, music, and interactive events, the festival creates a safe and inspiring space where families can explore new ideas together, share discoveries and spark the creativity of the next generation.

Specially curated film screenings introduce children to inspiring stories whilst interactive workshops let young minds explore filmmaking, coding and stop-motion animation with expert support. Children can produce mini movies, design characters and spark new passions.

Beyond workshops, the UNESCO City of Media Arts EXPO celebrates cutting-edge art, tech and design. From VR and games to podcasts and storytelling, Aesthetica is a hands-on adventure for the whole family. Be part of the UK’s most expansive and dynamic event for screen and media, taking place across York city centre in 15 venues from 5-9 November.

Tickets on sale now from £6 for single screenings. Kids’ Day Passes £25. Adult Day Passes £35.

Aesthetica York 2025 – Top 10 Events for Families and Young People

1. Family Friendly Film Screenings

Aesthetica 2025 offers specially curated U and PG films designed to engage and inspire audiences of all ages. From heartwarming animations to exciting dramas and comedies, the films celebrate friendship, resilience, identity and adventure. These screenings provide a platform for parents to watch, discuss and share meaningful stories with their children, sparking conversation, imagination, and creativity that continues beyond the cinema. For York families, this is a chance to enjoy worldclass film experiences together in their own city.

Screenings are split across three programmes:

• – Imaginary Bonds (U): These heartfelt films invite audiences into imaginative worlds where courage, connection, and self-discovery take centre stage. 
• – Everyday Adventures (U): These stories follow young characters as they navigate journeys filled with wonder, challenge and heart. These films are a playful exploration of everyday adventures.
• – Moments That Shape Us (PG): These films capture the emotional highs and lows of growing up, from wonder and friendship to identity, loss and self-discovery.

2. Children’s Film-making Workshops with Pauline Quirke Academy, 8 & 9 November

• – Do You Want to be a Filmmaker? (7-10 years), 10.00-12.00: Go behind the scenes and discover the magic of filmmaking. Led by Pauline Quirke Academy, young filmmakers will develop an understanding of the filmmaking process, learning the essentials of camera operation, sound and direction.
• – Stories for Screen (11-14 years), 14.00-16.00: Explore story development and performance in front of the camera. From brainstorming imaginative plots to crafting compelling characters, participants will learn how to bring a story to life. 

Workshop Tickets £12. Kids’ Day Pass + Workshop £35. Book Your Place.

3. Children’s Game-making Workshops with ComputerXplorers,9 & 10 November

• – How to Make a Game? (7-10 years) 14.00-16.00: Join experienced instructors who are passionate about gaming and nurturing young talent in a workshop that introduces children to coding software. This is the perfect place to start with coding, enabling children to create digital stories, games and animations. Boost your skills and make friends; unlock endless possibilities.
• – Do You Want to be a Game Developer? (11-14 years) 10.00-12.00: Begin your journey to become a game developer. Discover the fundamentals of character development, level creation and storytelling. Get hands-on experience creating your own games, learning about coding and programming. Unleash your imagination as you bring your own ideas to life. 

Workshop Tickets £12. Kids’ Day Pass + Workshop £35. Book Your Place.

4. Stop-Motion Animation Workshops with Hijinks,  9 & 10 November

• – How to Make Stop-Motion Animation (7-10 years) 13.30-16.00: Children will learn the essentials of stop-motion animation production. Each group will brainstorm ideas, create models, characters and props using modelling clay, before bringing their creations to life with the incredible magic of stop-motion.
• – Making Characters Come to Life (11-14 years) 10.00-12.30: Learn how to make your own characters come to life with the magic of claymation. Gain hands-on experience in crafting and animating short films, producing captivating final animations. 

Workshop Tickets £12. Kids’ Day Pass + Workshop £35. Book Your Place.

5. VR & Games Lab

Enter new and immersive worlds at our Games and VR Labs at the National Centre for Early Music. Play new independent games and experience cinema in 360 degrees. With projects that are suitable for U and PG audiences, these interactive labs will transport you into the heart of the story, immersing audiences of all ages. This unique environment allows parents to see firsthand how interactive technologies can inspire learning, play, and creativity in their children. No other event in York provides this level of exposure to immersive digital experiences.

Free with Kids’ & Adult Day Pass but Pre-registration Recommended Here,
Both Labs are at the National Centre for Early Music.

6. York: A UNESCO City of Media Arts

York’s status as a UNESCO City of Media Arts puts the city on the global stage for innovation in digital media and storytelling, and this year’s festival brings that to life for local families. The EXPO at the Guildhall gives children and adults the rare opportunity to see how creative industries operate, from VFX and graphic design to interactive storytelling and digital technology. 

Parents can explore the many pathways and career opportunities available in media arts with their children, opening conversations about future ambitions and inspiring young people to dream bigger than ever before.

Free Entry. 6-8 November, Guildhall.

7. New Music Stage

Discover the New Music Stage at Aesthetica, featuring 10 breakthrough British acts across all genres. With two Universal Music A&R representatives in attendance, it’s an exciting chance to experience fresh music from a whole host of genres – indie, folk, jazz, pop – and support new talent. Immerse yourself in live performances that showcase the next wave of musical innovators.

Separate Ticket Required: £21. 8 November, York Theatre Royal.

8. Aesthetica Fringe

Experience the first year of the Fringe! Throughout the festival, families can enjoy Fringe activities, from comedy and art exhibitions to immersive theatre experiences, offering unique opportunities to engage, be inspired and celebrate creativity in every form. Enjoy free and ticketed events, bringing creativity to every corner of York.

9. Aesthetica Art Prize & Future Tense Exhibition

Step into a world of light, sound and imagination at York Art Gallery. Two major exhibitions, the Aesthetica Art Prize 2025 and Future Tense, transform the ground floor into a playground of contemporary art, where innovation meets imagination. The 25 shortlisted artworks from the Art Prize are pushing the boundaries of technology, light, sound, and storytelling. In Future Tense, a standout for all ages is Squidsoup’s Submergence, an incredible installation made up of over 6,000 hanging lights that respond as you move through them. With hands-on, immersive experiences, children and adults can dive into artworks that spark curiosity and conversation.

Included in General Admission at the York Art Gallery. Children free.

10. Explore Aesthetica’s Full Film Programme

This year’s screening programme is rich with innovative storytelling, including films by the most exciting talent and featuring stars such as Domhnall Gleeson, Kit Harington, Maxine Peake and David Bradley. There are 300 films in this year’s competition spanning 12 genres including animation, comedy, documentary, drama, fashion, features, and more. 

Plus, Aesthetica reaches beyond traditional cinema through its Beyond the Frame programme at York Theatre Royal, a bold expansion of live performance, conversation, and music. Experience award-winning comedy with Taskmaster Champion Sophie Duker and Friends, Silent Cinema and Live Score with The Dodge Brothers, film-critic Mark Kermode in conversation, and the New Music Stage, with ten breakthrough British acts performing live. 

Aesthetica’s family programme ensures that children and adults alike feel part of a vibrant, multi-sensory festival unlike anything else in the city.

Aesthetica 2025 – Suggested itinerary for families

Suggested Itinerary | Saturday 8 November

• 10:00 – 12:00 | Attend a Workshop: Want To Be A Filmmaker? (Separate ticket)
• 13:30 – 14:30 | Watch a Screening – Family Friendly 2
• 15:00 – 15:30 | Visit the UNESCO City of Media Arts Expo
• 16:00 – 17:00 | Play at the Games Lab (Pre-register)
• 17:30 – 18:00 | See a band at the New Music Stage (Separate ticket)

Whilst children are in workshops, parents and guardians can attend a FREE screening at the same venue. Pick up your ticket at the Hub at City Screen or York St John Creative Centre.

Suggested Itinerary | Saturday 8 November

• 10:00 – 11:00 | Visit the UNESCO City of Media Arts Expo
• 12:00 – 13:00 | Watch a Screening – Family Friendly 3
• 14:00 – 16:00 | Attend a Workshop: How to Make a Game? (Separate ticket) 
• 17:00 – 18:00 | Play at the Games Lab (Pre-register)

Whilst children are in workshops, parents and guardians can attend a FREE screening at the same venue. Pick up your ticket at the Hub at City Screen or York St John Creative Centre.

Suggested Itinerary | Sunday 9 November

• 10:00 – 12:30 | Attend a Workshop: Making Characters Come to Life (Separate ticket) 
• 13:30 – 14:30 | Watch a Screening – Family Friendly 1
• 15:30 – 16:30 | Experience immersive exhibitions at York Art Gallery (Separate ticket)
• 17:30 – 18:30 | Watch films in 360 at the VR Lab (Pre-register)

Whilst children are in workshops, parents and guardians can attend a FREE screening at the same venue. Pick up your ticket at the Hub at City Screen or York St John Creative Centre.