Amsterdam Lift-Off Film Festival 2025

4. Termination Date
Director/Writer: Jacob Williams
Writer: Joseph Bubb
Producer: Keir Cain Cairns
Country of Origin: United Kingdom

Synopsis: In a near-future society, two government agents hunt users of a powerful psychedelic flower that lets people relive their happiest memories. While under its influence, users fall into a coma, disconnected from reality and unable to function in society. The bureau sees this as a growing threat to societal stability and is determined to terminate all users. When the partners are assigned to eliminate a young woman trapped in the flower’s dream-state, one begins to question their mission’s morality. Their conflicting beliefs spark rising tensions, dividing them over duty, compassion, and the true cost of moving on.

5. IRADOH - 3 Acts of Brotherhood
Directors: Kaique Alves, Thiago Eva
Producers: Eduardo Saraiva, Juliana Furtuoso, Priscila Pina, Mônica Cason
Country of Origin: Brazil

Synopsis: Inspired by real events and the alarming number of women who go missing in Brazil each year, this musical short film tells the story of a mother who vanishes without a trace—leaving behind three young sons.

As they grow, each son takes a radically different path: one becomes a musician, one becomes a lawyer, and the other falls into crime. The film explores how trauma, environment, and individual choices shape human destiny—underscoring how the absence of a mother can echo through generations.

8. Trust the Legehness
Director: Anna Verloren van Themaat
Producer: Stepahnie Burger
Country of Origin: South Africa

Synopsis: I was immediately drawn to ‘Trust the Legehness’ because of my love for Afrikaans, dance, electronic music and philosophy. ‘Legehness’ is a playful twist on the word ‘Lekker,’ blending Afrikaans and English—a phenomenon that Peach, the vocalist from Van Pletzen, refers to as ‘Mengels.’

The word Lekker is used as an adjective or adverb to positively describe almost any Afrikaans experience. But ‘Trust the Legehness’ is more than just a phrase—it’s a philosophy, a mantra, a way of life. It’s about trusting in all that is good.

13. Seed
Director/Writer/Producer: Sara L. Roberts
Director: Suzy Shepherd
Producer: Adriana Kulig
Country of Origin: United Kingdom

Synopsis: ‘Seed’ is the story of a woman, Fiona, who has been struggling to get pregnant. Because she has become obsessed with wanting a baby, she now suffers from insomnia and her grip on reality begins to elude her. After exploring her plant-filled garden one moonlit night, she receives a supernatural visitation in a dream. In the weeks and months that follow, she begins to experience symptoms of pregnancy, although the medical establishment believes her to be delusional. As it turns out, however, there is something growing inside her - but not what one might expect.