Celebrating 'True-Indie' Filmmaking & Connecting Global Talent
The Amsterdam Lift-Off Film Festival has a fun, easy-going spirit, powered by some of the most down-to-earth creatives in the Network. The work gets taken seriously and nobody takes themselves too seriously, which makes it one of the most enjoyable rooms to be a filmmaker in.
It’s made for people near the start: first and second films, shorts, low-budget features, work with a point of view. Amsterdam’s crowd is open, curious, and generous with feedback.
Selected films screen online to a global audience, with relaxed in-person and online networking alongside, so you leave with contacts and a few new friends. Standout Amsterdam films are shortlisted for the Lift-Off Season Awards, judged across all 12 city festivals each year.
Amsterdam Lift-Off Season #17 screens this October 2026. Submissions are now open on FilmFreeway. Selected films get an online screening to a global audience, and entry to the festival’s networking events. Standout films get a place in the Amsterdam Network Round, and winners are shortlisted for the 17th Lift-Off Season Awards.
Recent Winners
Festival Events
Each festival hosts a series of online and in-person events, connecting filmmaking talent across the globe
Focus Group Feedback
Meet fellow filmmakers, exchange feedback and discuss your projects. Focus Group participants attend an online meeting to pitch their work before participating in the Feedback Session.
In-Person Networking Speeddate
Join us in the city for a showcase & networking event held in conjunction with the festival’s online screenings. Attendees chat to everyone in the room in a 'speed-date' style networking session.
Online Networking SpeedDate
Pitch your future projects or share previous work. Attendees can screen a trailer or pitch deck before meeting with everyone in a 'speed-date' style network session.
Questions?
Once a year, as part of the Lift-Off season. Screenings & events run in October.
Emerging independent filmmakers, especially first and second-time directors working in shorts and low-budget features.
Films screen online to a global audience, with in-person networking in Amsterdam alongside the festival.
Through FilmFreeway: Click here.
Winning films are shortlisted for the Lift-Off Season Awards, judged at the end of the season across all 12 city festivals.