A massive thank you to everyone who participated in the Amsterdam Lift-Off Film Festival 2021. It's been absolutely fantastic having so many filmmakers involved and seeing the global support for true indie film...
The judges' votes have been counted and added to the audience's feedback. Huge congratulations to the filmmakers who screened with us! A special well done to the following films...
Festival Winners
Best Film
(next screening with Lift-Off in Amsterdam 2022)
4x4
Dir. Ayla Amano
Synopsis: In rural Ireland, a simple decision pushes teenage sisters to grapple with their ties to the family farm.
Best Film
(next screening with Lift-Off in Los Angeles 2022)
Room 217
Dir. Srwsht Abarash
Synopsis: A young man checks into room 217 in an old hotel on a rainy night. Soon he begins to experience hallucinations that lead him to believe he is living the same time over and over again. He frantically tries to find a way out of this strange time loop with the help of the hotel manager.
Best Film
(next screening with Lift-Off in Amsterdam 2022)
Capsized
Dirs. Lisa Hukker, Chanou van Kalleveen
Synopsis: The homeless couple Björn (45) and Inge (65) rather sleep together on the streets than separated in a homeless shelter. A race against the winter.
Best Film
(next screening with Lift-Off in Amsterdam 2022)
The man who wouldn't cry
Dir. Emil T. Jonsson
Synopsis: A man tarnishes the company's reputation when he refuses to mourn the death of a beloved actress and now his professional and social life is in jeopardy.
Season Award Nominations
The Lift-Off Season Awards is an annual event which celebrates the very best of indie film. Following each Lift-Off film festival, films which have excelled in their respective category are nominated and invited to attend the prestigious Lift-Off Season Awards, culminating at the end of the Lift-Off season. Click here for more information about the Lift-Off Season Awards.
Capsized
Dirs. Lisa Hukker, Chanou van Kalleveen
Synopsis: he homeless couple Björn (45) and Inge (65) rather sleep together on the streets than separated in a homeless shelter. A race against the winter.
Nominated for Best First-Time Film
Audience Choice
The Audience Choice award is given to the filmmakers whose film received the most votes during the festival. The filmmakers will be invited to join us on the Lift-Off YouTube channel for a directors commentary roundtable. Join in the conversation as we delve deeper into each film.
When The Birds Are Gone
Dir. Janna Stolp
Synopsis: Doro suffers from depressions & parkinson disease and lives together with her husband Friedrich. Since their daughter left home, she is struggling to find new meaning in life. An emotional portrait about empty-nest syndrome, illness & motherhood.
Chess Game
Dir. Bruno Barisic
Synopsis: During a chess game, two friends lead a discourse and the stories begin to unfold.
If I didn't care
Dir. Peter Bjørklund Andersen
Synopsis: Titus’ dad was never present – not even when they were together. Father and son have not seen each other in ages, when Titus is called and asked to take his terminally ill father to the hospital. Despite an urge to confront the man who was never there for him and suddenly needs his help, Titus is burdened by the fact that it may well be the last thing he ever gets to say to him. On their two trips to hospital, Titus’ father takes his son out on a journey and Titus starts to realize how much he can still learn from his father.
No Hay Barrio Para las Mujeres (There are no slums for women)
Dir. Donald Whittier
Synopsis: Life is difficult for Ana. Desperate for resources, and struggling with nascent adulthood in machista Mexico, she doesn't know where to turn. When she finds a bag of money, Ana believes her dreams have been answered. But, as she'll find out, life is rarely so simple, with possible severe repercussions for her family. The owners of the money want it back, and have sent a merciless "fixer" named Mataoh to clean up the mess, including setting the incompetent toughs straight who lost the bag in the first place. Ana's only hope for survival is her is Tia Naomi. "NA," a tough woman raised in the desert, has a reputation for meting out justice to sexist men who abuse women. Who will find Ana first?