We are delighted to share that Cinesite VFX Supervisor Max Dennison will be representing the studio at this year’s Aesthetica Short Film Festival (ASFF) in York.

Alongside his role on this year’s official festival jury, Max will be actively involved across industry day events on Thursday, 5 November—offering direct project mentorship to emerging storytellers and taking the stage for a masterclass on the evolving frontier of immersive entertainment.

Mentoring Future Storytellers: VR 1:1 Pitch Sessions

Filmmakers looking for direct professional guidance will have the opportunity to pitch their work one-on-one with Max during the festival’s dedicated VR surgery sessions.

• Format: 20-minute individual back-to-back feedback sessions

• Time: 11:00 – 13:00

• Location: Malmaison, York (YO90 1UU)

These sessions give directors, creators, and technologists an invaluable space to test their concepts, troubleshoot narrative or technical hurdles, and gain direct, real-world feedback from a senior VFX supervisor with decades of high-end production experience.

Industry Masterclass: The Future of XR: Entertainment and Beyond

Later that afternoon, Max will join a lineup of specialist immersive technologists for an in-depth panel exploring how extended reality is reshaping modern screen industries.

• Time: 14:30 – 15:30

• Location: Yorkshire Museum (YO1 7FR)

• Chair: Ana-Despina Tudor (London College of Communication)

• Panellists: Max Dennison (Cinesite), Alia Sheikh, Richard Nockles

From the lines blurring between virtual reality, real-time engines, and traditional film pipelines to the creative demands of crafting immersive audience experiences, this masterclass will unpack what lies ahead for entertainment and interactive media.

ASFF Official Jury

Beyond the panels and masterclasses, Max will also be lending his eye to the competition lineup as part of the official Aesthetica jury, celebrating independent filmmaking talent from across the globe.

Catch Max throughout Thursday, 5 November in York, and find full ticket information and schedules on the official Aesthetica Short Film Festival website.