The 10-year anniversary of an international designation unique to York within the UK has seen a special project involving students join forces with an acclaimed arts and culture brand.

Aesthetica, based in New Street and responsible for the magazine of the same name and York’s annual short-film festival, led a new ‘Film in Schools’ project for young people in the city over several months, ahead of a November film festival.

Organisers of the project, which spent time in five York secondary schools, said it highlighted the relevance of the city’s UNESCO City of Media Arts status, first designated in 2014, and what it means for future career opportunities in the city.

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Director of Aesthetica, Cherie Federico, said: “Working with our five partner schools in York to develop the 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 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 our young people in such a powerful and meaningful way."

'Most residents probably still wonder what it means to them'

City of York Council’s executive member for education, Councillor Bob Webb, helped put Cherie in contact with the schools involved.

Cllr Webb 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.”

City of York Council executive member for economy culture, Councillor 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 the students’ work will be shown.