UNESCO EXPO & Creative Industries: York at the Forefront of Innovation
Supported by Make It York, this November, York & North Yorkshire will celebrate the region’s thriving creative industries at the BAFTA-Qualifying Aesthetica Film Festival. Central to the festival is the UNESCO City of Media Arts EXPO, running 6–8 November 2025 at the Guildhall, which brings together more than 40 creative businesses from film, television, gaming, VR, design, publishing, and interactive media. The event demonstrates the city and region’s ambition to lead in creative innovation, foster placemaking, and offer meaningful opportunities for young people.
The creative industries are a cornerstone of economic growth and cultural identity across York & North Yorkshire, contributing billions to the UK economy and employing more than 2.3 million people nationally. Recognised as one of the eight key sectors in the UK Industrial Strategy, they are identified as vital to the country’s future in innovation, export growth, and high-skill employment.
Across York & North Yorkshire, these industries are creating jobs across a wide range of roles, from film production, VR and animation to design, digital marketing, and arts management, while also underpinning the region’s growing reputation for creativity and innovation. They are a key driver in placemaking, turning streets and public spaces into living showcases of creativity that attract visitors, talent, and investment, while fostering economic growth and cultural pride.
“The creative industries are where technology, culture and economy converge,” says Cherie Federico, Director of the Aesthetica Film Festival. “York & North Yorkshire have all the ingredients to lead the UK’s creative revolution: talent, history, infrastructure and ambition. The EXPO is our chance to show the world that this region is not just participating. – it is innovating, shaping and influencing the future of screen, media and design.”
The EXPO will feature some of the region’s most innovative companies. Viridian FX, known for their visual effects on House of the Dragon (HBO), will showcase the art of cinematic storytelling. Revolution Games, creators of the Broken Sword series, will demonstrate the narrative potential of gaming. Orillo Productions, collaborating with Netflix and Amazon Prime, will present award-winning storytelling, while Beckview Studios – a state of the art recording studio and Peel X, the sole supplier of XR experiences for Aardman Animations, will offer hands-on demonstrations of interactive projects, highlighting the region’s creative and technological expertise.
Across York & North Yorkshire, the sector is providing real opportunities for young people to build careers in the creative industries. From film production and VR design to digital marketing and animation, the range of roles is vast, and each contributes to the social and economic vitality of the region.
“York is a city of makers, thinkers, and innovators,” says Cllr Pete Kilbane. “The EXPO shows how creative industries are shaping placemaking, growing our economy, and giving young people real opportunities to build careers in a thriving, forward-looking sector.”
Initiatives like One Creative North link businesses across the region, supporting collaboration, enterprise and skills development. By connecting talent in York with creative networks in West Yorkshire and beyond, the EXPO strengthens the entire northern creative ecosystem.
“From film and gaming to VR and design, York & North Yorkshire are proving that creativity drives both community and commerce,” adds Mayor David Skaith. “This EXPO is an opportunity to highlight our region’s ambition and demonstrate how ceative industries can shape the future of work and culture.”
“The EXPO connects talent from York & North Yorkshire with the rest of the UK and the world, supporting creative businesses and inspiring the next generation,” says Sarah Loftus, Director of Make It York. “This is a moment for the region to lead, showing how innovation and creativity go hand in hand.”
The EXPO is free to attend and offers visitors a unique chance to engage with the sector, experience immersive installations, and see first-hand how York & North Yorkshire are shaping the future of the UK’s creative industries.
It runs as part of the Aesthetica Film Festival, one of the UK’s flagship film events. The festival has established itself as a leading platform for new and established talent, hosting celebrated industry figures including Mark Kermode, Ridley Scott Associates, Peter Straughan (Oscar-winning screenwriter), Alex Lowther (Black Mirror), and Warp Films CEO Mark Herbert (Adolescence). The festival has also collaborated with major institutions like Film4 and the BBC, while providing forums such as the UK Film Production Summit and Women in Screen panels, supporting professional development and industry networking.
Alongside the EXPO, York will also host two Media Arts exhibitions at York Art Gallery, as well as a vibrant Festival Fringe, highlighting the breadth and ambition of the city and region’s creative sector. Together, these events transform York into a living showcase of innovation, placing the city and North Yorkshire firmly at the forefront of the UK’s creative industries and offering an unmissable platform for emerging talent and established professionals alike.
Tickets and Information: Free to attend. More at www.asff.co.uk and www.mediacityexpo.com
UNESCO EXPO & Creative Industries: York at the Forefront of Innovation Read More »
