This November, London College of Communication (LCC) will be heading to York to present 360 cinema, immersive experiences and an experimental score for an iconic silent film at the UK’s largest screen and media event, Aesthetica Film Festival.

BAFTA-qualifying, and this year celebrating its 15th anniversary, ASFF has been dubbed “the UK’s answer to SXSW” — combining film, comedy, music, games, VR, podcasts, masterclasses, and a city-wide Fringe — running from 5–9 November 2025.

And as part of our long-term partnership with Aesthetica, LCC will again be playing a significant role in the broad range of activities and experiences on offer, at an event providing a national platform for the future of storytelling.

VR & Immersive Experiences Lab

For the 8th year, LCC is sponsoring the festivals VR & Immersive Experiences Lab, where audiences can explore 360° films, interactive installations, and independent games pushing the limits of storytelling — blurring boundaries between cinema, art and play. As well as presenting the Lab, MA Virtual Reality Course Leader Ana-Despina Tudor is a member of the jury on the panel curating the films and experiences.

New Talent Showcase

Five students from BA (Hons) Immersive Media and Mixed Reality at LCC showcase projects highlighting the range and creative potential of virtual reality. Curated by Ana-Despina Tudor, Course Leader for MA Virtual Reality and David McLellan, Course Leader for BA (Hons) Immersive Media and Mixed Reality

Games Lab

LCC student Fanghao Zhou’s gory battle game ‘Red Wave 2’ as part of the Festival’s Games Lab providing a curated selection of groundbreaking independent games.

Listening Pitch: Scoring a Silent Film

Student Jiajing Zhao, who is pursuing a PhD in Electroacoustic Music, was the winner of a competition set by Aesthetica and Audible to Create an Experimental Score to a Silent Film. The premiere of his reimagined score for ‘Le Voyage dans la Lune’ will show at the festival’s ‘Listening Pitch’ — a cinematic exploration of what is unheard.

Panel discussions, workshops, and LCC talent

Elsewhere in the festival, LCC is presenting a breadth of panel discussions and interactive workshops. Ana-Despina Tudor chairs ‘Stories of Tomorrow: Narratives in VR’ and ‘Alternative Realities: Whats next in VR?’. BA (Hons) Games Design Course Leader Roy Caseley leads a workshop on crafting narratives across film, games and XR. Lecturer in Extended Reality Eric Fanghanel leads a workshop on ‘Creative code Exploring AI’s role in ethics creative process'.

LCC students Yao Han and David Galeon demonstrate their latest work at the festival’s ‘Emerging VR Talent’ station.

And two MA Documentary Film graduates have films screening at the festival. Xiona Li’s 2024 documentary film ‘Friction’ focuses on a closeted trans woman facing the impossible choice of living her truth and risking social abandonment’, has been selected to screen as part of the festival. Naser Alsadi Yussuf's 'The Weight of Everything' reflects on the contrast between the privilege of his life in London and his family's struggles in Jenin under siege.

LCC Provost Kene Igweonu: “a huge opportunity”

Professor Kene Igweonu, Provost for London College of Communication, said: “I am absolutely thrilled that LCC is once again partnering with such a prestigious celebration of creativity and storytelling, Aesthetica Film Festival.

“At London College of Communication, we believe that creative communication transforms the world, and the impact Aesthetica Film Festival has had over the years perfectly demonstrates the transformative potential of storytelling and creative experiences.

“Not only is this a fantastic platform for our expert staff to share their knowledge and ideas, but this partnership also provides a huge opportunity for our students to have their work seen, heard, and experienced on a national platform.”

Aesthetica Film Festival 2025 takes place from 5–9 November.

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