Thank you to all the filmmakers who participated in the 2024 Amsterdam Lift-Off Film Festival!
The festival platformed hundreds of films, each project worthy of recognition and celebration. We want to extend a giant thank you to everyone who took part and a special congratulations to all the incredible talent that went into making these projects.
The judges' scores have been combined with the audience's choices, and after careful scrutiny, it's our pleasure to announce the Amsterdam Lift-Off Film Festival winners!
Winners: Amsterdam Network Round Shorts
The Ocean is Red
Director: Oliver Jacboby
Writer: Yas Wadi
Producer: Lucas Buur Petersen
Country of Origin: Denmark
Genre: Romance, Drama, Psychological
Synopsis: In this psychological love drama, we follow the main character, 'MAN', who questions his existence from the start of the film. He has a pessimistic view of life and emphasizes to himself the insignificance of his existence. The only thing that truly allows him to see any light in life is the film's other main character, 'WOMAN'.
Season Award #15 Shortlist: Best Short Live Action Narrative, Best Director
Before The Rain Fades Away
Director/Writer: Hassan Ammar
Country of Origin: Egypt
Genre: Short
Synopsis: After losing his daughter, a father struggles between the harsh reality of his grief and the violent visions that plague his sleep. As the line between the two worlds blurs, he must choose: confront his pain or remain trapped in the torment of his dreams.
Season Award #15 Shortlist: Best Actor (Mohamed Tawakol)
Good Girl
Director: Helene Madsen Smed
Writer/Producer: Sara Dhimitri
Producers: Mathilde Klostermann,Ane-Kathrine Lamdahl Pedersen,Pelle Folmer,Lars Mitch Fischermann
Country of Origin: United Kingdom
Genre: Thriller, Psychological, Drama
Synopsis: GOOD GIRL is a story about Emilie who faces the guy who raped her, Simon, on a night out. To her surprise, he doesn't seem to recognize her. She decides to take matters into her own hands and finally get her revenge, but the situation quickly spirals out of control. Simon suffers the consequences of his actions, but so will Emilie. GOOD GIRL is a short film about power, sexual assault and revenge.
Season Award #15 Shortlist: Best Acting Ensemble
Cake
Director/Writer/Producer: Justyna Romul
Country of Origin: Poland
Genre: Experimental, Music Video, Short
Synopsis: A strange object appears above Warsaw city in the morning. Guys are waking up their UFO enthusiast roommate to check what is going on, alongside with funky music and a retro flying car.
Season Award #15 Shortlist: Best Art Direction
Blend Ability
Director/Producer: Valentina Gutierrez
Country of Origin: United States
Genre: Documentary, Short
Synopsis: In a world where 77.5% of individuals with intellectual, developmental, or physical disabilities face unemployment, "Not Your Average Joe" stands as a beacon of inclusion and purpose. This short documentary unveils how a small coffee shop in Oklahoma City brings people together, breaking barriers and fostering mutual understanding. Witness the transformative power of customer-facing, meaningful employment, and community through the inspiring stories of those who refuse to be defined by their limitations.
Season Award #15 Shortlist: Best Short Documentary
Sucker
Director/Writer: Steve Oen
Writer: Menno de Ruijter
Producer: Barend van Balen
Country of Origin: United Kingdom
Genre: Sci-Fi, Romance, Thriller, Comedy
Synopsis: When the brand new, state-of-the-art smart robot vacuum ‘Sucker’ sees his new owner Eve for the first time, he instantly falls in love with her. But the intimate bond between these two is brutally disrupted by Lars, her boyfriend.
Season Award #15 Shortlist: Best Cinematography
Scherven van de Zon
Director/Writer/Producer: Indya Suer
Producers: Tycho Schneider,Pearl Graw
Country of Origin: Netherlands
Genre: Drama, Experimental, Mental Health
Synopsis: When a young woman becomes entangled in a heated conflict with her boyfriend, her evening takes a dark turn filled with impulsive, escapist decisions and unique encounters with various people that make her question her own perception of the truth.
Season Award #15 Shortlist: Best First-Time Filmmaker
Grief's Embrace
Director/Producer: Samuel Laubscher
Country of Origin: United States
Genre: Music Video
Synopsis: What does it look like to come to terms with losing someone, while they remain a part of you? How does grief move you, leave you, return back to you? The intent of this piece is to offer an exploration of these often painful questions we tend to grapple with most. The decision to film outdoors represents the ongoing nature of grief. While we may feel trapped by grief, it is often as unpredictable as Nature itself.
Season Award #15 Shortlist: Best Music Video
Winners: Amsterdam Network Round Features
Autour de Lucio
Director/Producer: Etienne Barrier
Country of Origin: France
Genre: Documentary, Feature
Synopsis: Lucio suffers from dystonia, a disease that causes speech and fine motor skill disorders. However, he has embarked on a crazy challenge: to tour France by running and cycling in less than 99 days. Accompanied by his mother, he will discover France, his country which he only knows through TV, and prove that with enough determination, one can achieve their dreams.
Season Award #15 Shortlist: Best Feature Documentary
Detour
Director: Tim Shaughnessy
Writers: Alma Kaplan, Laura Bygum
Producer: Pernille Kristiansen
Country of Origin: Denmark
Genre: Feature, Drama, Comedy
Synopsis: When Oliver learns that his girlfriend, who disappeared without notice 7 months ago, has appeared on the other side of the country, he decides to leave immediately in search of answers and perhaps to save their relationship. The only problem is that he has to look after his no-bullshit 8-year-old brother, whom he then has to force along on the trip.
Season Award #15 Shortlist: Best Feature Live Action Narrative
15th Annual Lift-Off Season Awards
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.