Winners & Special Mentions: Berlin Lift-Off Film Festival 2020

Many thanks to everyone who participated in this year’s Berlin Lift-Off Film Festival. It was great to see so many filmmakers and film enthusiasts filling the screenings in support of both local and international indie films.

The festival was in full swing at Il Kino, a cinema that is committed to showing art-house, independent and world film, with each of our festival nights being sold out. Night one of the festival screened a U.K. based programme of short films that ventured on the themes of loss, political unrest and injustice, with shorts such as “Innocence”, “I Don’t Want To Set The World On Fire”, and “The Cunning Man”. The second night of the festival was full of energy and talent, with an equally striking line-up of International shorts, including “Bad People”, “MAELLE”, and “You Say Nothing”. The third and final night of the festival consisted of our Local Filmmakers Showcase, with many of the filmmakers in attendance. The result was a mixture of discussions between filmmakers, who were thrilled to see their work shown amongst such high quality films.

The judges' votes have been counted and added to the audience's feedback. Huge congratulations to the filmmakers who screened with us, who all did themselves proud. All Berlin Lift-Off Film Festival 2020 winners will receive complimentary screenings at future Lift-Off Film Festivals. A special well done to the following films.

Photos from the event can be seen on the Lift-Off Facebook Page.

Best Local Film

(next screening with Lift-Off in New York)

Them

Dir. Robin Lochmann
Synopsis: In a forgotten village, where everyone is cut from the same cloth, a new, self-proclaimed leader arrives changing the local way of life. Dividing lines are carved out as the once unified society is torn and segregated. THEM is a cautionary tale of misguided ideologies, destructive leadership and of being an outsider. But most importantly, it is a film about celebrating what we have in common rather than what separates us..

Best Short Film

(next screening with Lift-Off in Manchester)

You Say Nothing

Dir. Gray Hughes
Synopsis: When conflict erupts in Derry in 1969 two brothers facing violence at home withdraw into their own fantasy world to escape The Troubles

Special Mention

(next screening with Lift-Off in Sydney)

Remus and Ron

Dir. Branden Wittchen
Synopsis: Remus and Ron tells the story of how Remus a 30-year-old eccentric and awkward man ended up in the back of a police car arrested for murder. He looks back on his childhood and reminisces on how he turned out so different from his identical twin brother Ron, despite being inflicted the same bizarre and abusive upbringing. Exploring themes of nature vs nurture and twisting the stereotypes of future serial killer behaviour, Remus and Ron is a dark and disturbing look at how one twin could be so evil and the other so caring..

Special Mention

(next screening with Lift-Off in New York)

MAELLE

Dir. Jordi Gueyrard
Synopsis: At dusk, a strange girl walks alone along an endless road in a wide deserted landscape. A car passes. On board, a man who offers to drive her to her destination. The fragile girl ends up accepting and gets in the car..

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.