City of York Council Labour Group News Release

Immediate Release: 17th September, 2025

Students across York have been getting a taste of filmmaking through a new ‘Film in Schools’ project, led by internationally acclaimed, York-based arts and culture brand, Aesthetica.

The project, which has spent time in five York secondary schools, has highlighted the relevance of the city’s UNESCO City of Media Arts status and what it means for future career opportunities for young people in the city.

Filmmaking in Schools lead and Director of Aesthetica, Cherie Federico, said:

“Working with our five partner schools in York to develop the citywide Filmmaking in Schools programme has been an amazing opportunity for young people in the city to directly engage with what it means to live in a UNESCO City of Media Arts. We delivered 40 workshops and the young people learned skills such a directing and scriptwriting, as well as camera operation and editing.

“However, the most significant is a focus on digital skills and how this will encourage future careers in media arts. Our city’s UNESCO Media Arts designation can open doors and unlock opportunities for the next generation. I am proud that we will be premiering these films at the Aesthetica Film Festival in York and showcasing York’s young people in such a powerful and meaningful way”.

The project ran workshops in schools with students over several months. The council’s Executive Member for Education, Cllr Bob Webb, helped put Cherie in contact with the schools involved.  He said:

“The feedback I’ve heard already indicates this project has been a great success and well received by both the schools and the students themselves.  I know as a teacher we have some very creative students, and this project provides an opportunity to channel and guide that creativity in a way that could lead to a career in film or in the many industries linked to filmmaking”.

Executive Member for Economy and Culture, Cllr Pete Kilbane said:

“Our UNESCO City of Media Arts status is unique in the UK and this year sees the 10th anniversary of that status being conferred upon York.  Yet most residents probably still wonder what it means to them.  The creative sector provides a broad range of good job opportunities that are not linked to traditional qualifications, for both current and future generations. We want the sector to grow and for York residents be able to take advantage of the opportunities it offers.

“This project helps to make that link between the interests of young students and provide advice and guidance on where they need to go to turn those interests into a career.  It’s inspiring to see this project get off the ground and what it means to the students involved”.

The Aesthetica Film Festival takes place in York in November, where students’ work will be shown.

 

-ENDS-

Cherie Federico: Cherie@aestheticamagazine.com

Cllr Bob Webb   Tel: 07737 965790

Cllr Pete Kilbane  Tel: 07845 798332

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