Artists, musicians and creatives are increasingly being targeted by questionable award schemes that exploit the prestige of legitimate festivals. One recent example circulating in the community is the New Music Stage linked to the BAFTA-Qualifying Aesthetica Film Festival in York.
While the Aesthetica Short Film Festival (ASFF) and Aesthetica Magazine are well-regarded for their legitimate creative awards – such as the Aesthetica Creative Writing Award and the Aesthetica Art Prize – there are offshoot initiatives and individuals contacting artists in ways that raise serious concerns.
Many practitioners report being contacted multiple times with invitations to submit to the “New Music Stage”. These invitations are often followed by rejection notices, accompanied by generic emails requesting payment for further opportunities such as tickets, event access, or additional submissions. This cycle feels less like an opportunity and more like a method of extracting money from unsuspecting artists.
Signs of a Potential Scam
If you are contacted about awards, showcases, or “special invitations,” here are some red flags to look out for:
- Payment Required: Legitimate awards do not require you to pay to be nominated, shortlisted, or to attend the ceremony. If money is demanded upfront, proceed with caution
- Lack of Transparency: Scam awards often lack clear judging panels, proper entry categories, or transparent processes
- Poor Customer Service: Once money is paid, requests for refunds or clarity may be ignored, and social media comments raising questions are sometimes deleted
- False Advertising: Individuals or accounts may impersonate professionals, claiming to have won awards that either don’t exist or were never properly awarded
What You Can Do if Approached
- Research Thoroughly: Look beyond the award’s own promotional material. Search for independent reviews and feedback from fellow artists
- Be Skeptical of Unsolicited Emails: If you never applied but receive a glowing “nomination,” it’s a major red flag
- Report Concerns: If you believe you’ve been misled, you can contact your local trading standards authority
- Ask Around: Our artistic community is small and connected – speak with other artists to see if they’ve had similar experiences
A Message for Aesthetica
Some artists have reported being contacted three or more times with invitations to submit, only to be rejected later with automated follow-ups encouraging ticket purchases. This repeated cycle can feel disingenuous and misleading, and risks damaging Aesthetica’s reputation within the creative community.
Artists want to engage with awards that uplift talent, not extract money under false pretenses. It may be worth re-examining how outreach is being handled, and ensuring that emerging artists are treated with respect and transparency.
We as artists and practitioners talk to one another. Repeated experiences like these create skepticism and mistrust – not just towards questionable schemes like the New Music Stage, but towards the broader ecosystem of festivals and awards. Their sponsors TALENTBANQ, Caffè Nero, and Imagesound have also been notified of Aesthetica’s exploitative behaviour.
If you’ve had a similar experience, know you are not alone. Stay cautious, protect your resources, and support awards that demonstrate genuine integrity and care for artists.