Austin Lift-Off Film Festival 2025
Network Round Shorts
Monday, 28th April - Sunday, 4th May
1. Coyote Red
Director/Writer/Producer: Adriano Mirchou
Writer: Lindsay Rhoades
Producers: Riley Burty,Ramak Roohani
Country of Origin: United States
Synopsis: A U.S. border patrol agent finds himself in over his head when he attempts to help a young immigrant in a remote area near the border.
2. Afloat
Director/Writer: Reilly Johnson
Producers: Margi Nequist Johnson,Eddie Newquist
Country of Origin: United States
Synopsis: A new hire at Chicago Seas Boat Tours attempts to stay afloat as she encounters a harrowing call to action on the Chicago River.
3. El BATAN, small and pretty
Director/Producer: Francisco Herrera
Director: Angelica Cervera
Country of Origin: Mexico
Synopsis: A former small town got eaten up by the city and became a neighborhood that refuses to lose its identity.Through the eyes of its inhabitants, we witness a generational shift, and the rise of community spirit that builds a new identity mixing old and new.
4. Facade
Director/Writer/Producer: DangVy NGUYEN
Country of Origin: Canada
Synopsis: Laura, a student in Psychology, leads a normal daily life of waking up, going to school, studying, and hanging out with her friends. However, one day, she feels followed by someone or something. Throughout the movie, several events unfold. At the end, she breaks the fourth wall and asks to us if all the events are real or not.
5. Best Day Ever
Director: Preston Taylor
Writer: Sky Crystal
Producers: Waseem Rahim,Omar Adham
Country of Origin: United States
Synopsis: When a hitman is tasked by a mob boss to poison a competing gangster, the day takes a turn when his annoying brother-in-law finagles his way into Avon's dangerous workspace.
6. Have I Swallowed Your Dreams
Director/Writer/Producer: Clara Chan
Country of Origin: Canada
Synopsis: A poetic conversation between an immigrant daughter and her mother about sacrifices and dreams.
7. The Sweet Side of Crazy
Director/Producer: Kaylee Grace Hoy
Producer: Paul B. Kim
Country of Origin: United States
Synopsis: The Sweet Side of Crazy is a documentary about Kandy Lyn's childhood and the lessons that she learned through her mom's addiction. Set in a small town in central Oklahoma where Kandy chose to settle and raise her family, the documentary implores viewers to consider the broader aspects of substance abuse and encourages people that it is possible to hate the addiction and love the addict. The Sweet Side of Crazy gives people an inside look at what addiction can do to families when it takes root and the chaos that ensues within the lives of those affected.
8. Swan Lake
Director/Writer: Michal Leshansky
Producers: Talia Ben-Arie,Eyal Aharoni
Country of Origin: Israel
Synopsis:
Two punk teenagers wreak havoc in a peaceful borgoiuse park, fleeing the consequences of their actions, until everything blows up in their face.
9. Foxes & Falcons
Director/Writer: Alexander Knauer
Producer: Alina Virjasov
Country of Origin: Germany
Synopsis: An old man's encounter with a mysterious boy leads to a series of inexplicable situations and phenomena that point to the man's incipient illness.
10. Hammerstone Meets Woofstock
Director/ Writer: Josh Holliday
Country of Origin: Canada
Synopsis: A film that straddles the line between narrative and documentary, landing squarely on comedy. Steve Hammerstone is a small town radio host and big time buffoon, who’s sent to explore Woofstock: North America’s largest festival for dogs.
11. Stoned for Christmas
Director/Writer/Producer: Morgan Young
Country of Origin: United States
Synopsis: "Stoned for Christmas" is a multimedia whirlwind and a love letter to weed. This short film follows the adventures of one cannabis courier delivering at Christmastime.
12. Sad Christmas
Director/Writer/Producer: Maico Jimenez
Writer/Producer: Carlos Luis Arroyo Cruz
Country of Origin: United States
Synopsis: Sad Christmas is a cinematic music video that pays homage to the legendary Bruce Lee and his iconic role in Fist of Fury. Kris Cari takes fans on an action-packed journey as he battles his way through a series of challenging bosses in order to rescue Santa Claus and save Christmas. Directed with cinematic flair, the video captures the intensity and spirit of classic martial arts films, adding an unexpected, thrilling layer to this holiday-themed release.
13. Lean In: The Born Free Journey
Director: Grant Kettner
Producers: Josh Allison, Brian Stephenson, Chris Bishop
Country of Origin: United States
Synopsis: Life on two wheels is more than a passion; it’s an obsession. For Josh Allison of American Metal Customs, building custom motorcycles isn't just a job, it’s a way of life. This film captures the intense journey leading up to the debut of his latest custom build, Zidan, at the Born Free Motorcycle Show.
14. Samurat
Director, Writer & Producer: Cosmo Miller
Country of Origin: United States
Synopsis: A wandering samurai's brief encounter in the winter woods.
15. Whistle In The Dark
Director, Writer & Producer: Connor Alexander Preston Pannell
Country of Origin: United States
Synopsis: A state investigator's strange secret unravels when she's paired with a killer to solve an old occult murder case.
16. Presumption of Guilt
Director: Austin Tutor
Country of Origin: United States
Synopsis: A true story about a 19 year old woman wrongfully convicted of murder in 2002. She spent 16 years in prison before being exonerated. The case was highlighted by a false confession, a corrupt judge, bad police work, and overzealous prosecutors. She has yet to be compensated for this tragedy, as the state continues to fight her.