Winners & Special Mentions: Amsterdam Lift-Off Film Festival 2023

Thank you to all the filmmakers who participated in the 2023 Amsterdam Lift-Off Film Festival. It has been a fantastic experience witnessing so many filmmakers taking part and the tremendous global support for authentic independent cinema.

After meticulous scrutiny, the judges' evaluations have been combined with the audience's feedback. We extend our warmest congratulations to the filmmakers who graced our screens! In particular, we commend the following films for their exceptional contribution...

We are thrilled to announce the Amsterdam Lift-Off Film Festival winners in their respective categories! Huge congratulations to all the winners!

Motor Oil Blood

Dir. Nout Peper
Synopsis:Hessel Bosch' body is painted with scars from several motor crashes. But nothing hits as hard as the sudden death of is wife.Is life worth living if you lose the person closest to you? Hessel wants to believe it is. So he reaches for the medicine that always brings comfort: motorcycling.But there is a problem. He can’t ride his bike because he just underwent knee surgery. So he sets a goal: he wants to recover in 40 days – in time to attend the Isle of Man TT, an event he used to go to with his wife."Motor Oil Blood" is about willpower and the conviction that life is worth living, even though sometimes you have to bleed to experience it.

Short Listed for Best Short Documentary

Waar thuis was

Dir. Youri Smaal
Synopsis: A close-knit family has been living peacefully in a secluded house far from civilization for years. One evening, their tranquil life is disrupted when stones are thrown against their window. The question of who is responsible and why their house is being targeted remains a mystery. As the family members struggle to adapt to the increasing unrest, the stones grow larger, causing not only damage to their house but also straining the bonds of their family.

Short Listed for Best Short Film

Amy & I

Dir. Bastiaan Rook
Synopsis: When Amy and her boyfriend have a nice dinner in a restaurant where they first met, it turns out there's some pressure on their relationship.

Short Listed for Best Short Film

Wait For Me

Dir. Keith Farrell
Synopsis: ALISON is no girl-next-door. Lost in a life of crime, she’s longing to escape but can’t see a way out. When she meets SAM, a damaged soul with a troubled past, he opens her eyes to the fact that life can be a beautiful thing, if you meet it halfway. Alison realises that if she doesn’t make some changes, she isn’t long for this world.

Short Listed for Best Feature Narrative

The Lift-Off Season Awards is an annual event that celebrates the very best of indie film. Following each Lift-Off film festival, films that have excelled in their respective category are short listed for a Season Awards Nomination.  At the end of the year, once all the 12 city-based festival have taken place, the shortlisted nominated films are reviewed again by the jury and Official Nominations are designated.  Click here for more information about the Lift-Off Season Awards.

Bride Token

Dir. Xiaoyan LI
Synopsis: When facing unintended pregnancy, an intercultural couple has to make decisions about their relationship and their future under the family pressures due to cultural differences.

Short Listed for Best Short Film

O falecido

Dir. Philipp Veiga Amaro
Synopsis: He is known as the deceased, "O falecido". Even though he is in no way dead. Philipp, the filmmaker, lived with his father until the age of 16. But he has no memory of him. What exactly happened? He comes across a diary and tries to find answers - he confronts the women in his family and finds his own perspective.

Short Listed for Best Short Film

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.