UNESCO Media Arts Business Expo – Aesthetica Film Festival

The first-ever UNESCO City of Media Arts EXPO, organised by Aesthetica in partnership with Make It York and the Combined Authority, has set a powerful precedent for the future of the creative industries in York and North Yorkshire. With over 3,000 visitors flocking to York’s Guildhall, the EXPO became a vibrant focal point for celebrating innovation, creativity and cross-disciplinary collaboration in digital media, film, art and technology.

The UNESCO City of Media Arts EXPO featured an inspiring line-up of exhibitors and participants who showcased their work across a variety of media, illustrating the region’s robust and expanding creative sector. The list of distinguished exhibitors included:

• Aesthetica Magazine – one of the UK’s leading voices in contemporary art and culture, renowned for its insight and reach in the creative industries.
• XR Stories – a pioneering organization in immersive technology, working at the intersection of storytelling and cutting-edge XR.
• Pilot Theatre – a national touring theatre company based in York, known for integrating technology with narrative.
• Viridian FX – a VFX powerhouse, specialising in “invisible effects” for high-end TV and film, such as HBO’s House of the Dragon, and in-house experimental storytelling projects.
• Peel X – an award-winning and pioneering studio, leading the way in immersive storytelling using XR.
• Orillo – a York-based, award-winning production company that makes a range of film content, including advertising, documentary, music and features, and has worked with huge international clients such as Adidas, Pepsi & Beats by Dre.
• The Distance — an award-winning company that has been creating apps since the launch of the first iPhone in 2007 and is one of the top three developers in the UK.

The event also hosted pioneering tech companies, independent artists, and digital studios who presented interactive installations, VR experiences, and workshops, establishing York as a thriving hub for digital and media arts.

The full list of exhibitors includes: Aesthetica, Art is My Career, Ay-Pe, Bright White, Button Down Productions, Creative Business Skills Academy, Last Maps Illustrations, Orillo Productions, Peel X, Pollen Studios, Pilot Theatre, Revolution Software, The Distance, Viridian FX, and XR Stories.

 

Press Release, Images and Video Provided by Aesthetica