A massive thank you to everyone who participated in the Austin 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 Austin 2022)
SWIPE
Dir. Anthony Sneed
Synopsis: A delinquent teenage boy learns a valuable lesson about growing up.
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.
1618
Dir. LUIS ISMAEL
Synopsis: his film is based on a true story: the visitation of the Inquisition to the city of Porto in 1618. At the time the entire population was exhorted to denounce heresies under pain of excommunication.
Nominated for Best Art Direction
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.
The Anthology Of Julius
Dir. Ofu Obekpa
Synopsis: A naive Nigerian immigrant seeking his green card is caught in a web of deception when the FBI forces him to bust the very same con he used to steal millions from others.
A Man of Anxiety
Dir. Michael Tibbetts
Synopsis: Michael battles with anxiety and has developed OCD tendencies that control his life. A Man of Anxiety follows Michael's journey through his morning routine as he tries to leave his home for work. A simple task most people coast through every day. For Michael however, it is a constant struggle.
Come Home (Ghar Aau)
Dirs. Kirtana Banskota
Synopsis: A single mother pleads with her son who attends university in the United States to COME HOME to Nepal during the COVID 19 lockdown of 2020.
HELLBENT
Dir. Enrique Fabian Hernandez
Synopsis: Three unorthodox debt collectors, Donnie, James, and Declan are sent on a job to hunt down a wealthy man in their town but from the lack of preparation and knowledge of who they’re hunting leads their job into a downward spiral.