Thank you to all the filmmakers who participated in the 2026 First-Time Filmmaker Sessions Volume 1!

The festival platformed hundreds of films, each project worthy of recognition and celebration. We want to extend a giant thank you to everyone who took part and a special congratulations to all the incredible talent that went into making these projects.

First-Time Filmmaker Sessions is designed to be the entry into the Lift-Off Global Network. A platform for the avant-garde, FT Sessions isn't about selecting the 'best' or most 'commercial' projects; it is about providing a screening opportunity for everyone, connecting these new and emerging voices with new audiences. An option we hope highlights and educates each month!

JUST A DRIVER

Director/Writer/Producer: Mariami Duduchava
Producer: Ega Trispantia
Country of Origin: Indonesia

Synopsis:
In the bustling streets of Jakarta, Niko, a motorcycle driver for a ride-hailing service, navigates not only the chaotic traffic but also the haunting memories of his lost love, Suana. As exhaustion and grief consume him, Niko begins experiencing supernatural encounters—Suana's voice whispers to him, her image flickers in mirrors, and their connection seems to transcend death.

30-Year-Old Freshman

Director/Writer: Tonethegoat
Writer: Jasmine GP Gore
Producer: Goat Houze Studios
Country of Origin: United States

Synopsis:

With nothing but lint in their pockets, Jobe (30) and Mike (29), enroll at Bankhead University chasing refund checks. Chaos, romance, and culture shock follow as they hilariously navigate college life and find unexpected purpose.

Negros Laços

Director:Theodor Gonçalves
Writers: Franciele Oliveira, Jonatan Pacheco
Producer: Theodor Gonçalves
Country of Origin: Brazil

Synopsis:
Em Negros Laços uma narradora ancestral revisita suas memórias e traz à tona as trajetórias de três famílias negras que viveram em Santa Maria/RS, no sul do Brasil entre os séculos XIX e XX. Somando os relatos de seus descendentes e mergulhado em profunda pesquisa histórica, o filme expõe as lutas por liberdade, dignidade e pertencimento e confronta a celebração de escravistas naquela cidade com o apagamento das histórias negras, revelando negros laços que forjaram diferentes formas de existir no Atlântico Negro. O filme acompanha as trajetórias de José e Innocência, Anna e Mathilde, trazendo seus nomes, seus rostos, seus legados, suas ancestralidades e suas descendências.

Cool Headed Girl

Director/Writer: Lisa Nagy Isaacson
Producers: Ern Gerardo, Noel Thompson, Lisa Nagy Isaacson
Country of Origin: United States

Synopsis:
A successful elevator interiors sales executive juggles career wins and personal challenges while moving on from Mr. Wrong and embracing her self-worth.

The Christmas List

Director/Writer/Producer: Jediel Gonzalez
Country of Origin: United States

Humankind

Director/Writer: Berkayhan Musaoğlu
Country of Origin: Poland

Synopsis:
Musa lives a quiet, lonely life, set apart from his community by his striking appearance. Misread and judged for how he looks, he struggles to connect. Inside the prison walls, his grip on reality and freedom slips away. In harsh dreams, his visage grows even more unsettling.

The Dreamer Egg

Director/Writer: Ever Prado Benitez
Producer: Diego Salvador León García
Country of Origin: Mexico

Synopsis:
In los Altos de Jalisco, a small egg wonders: What is its purpose in life? Day after day, he watches as his brothers are chosen by the farmer to embark on great adventures in the outside world, while he remains in the nest, ignored and trapped.

Golden Spoon

Director/Writer/Producer: Simar Sandhu
Country of Origin: Canada

Synopsis:
Golden Spoon is a symbolic ritual-horror short about how man-made belief systems turn their followers into replaceable bodies. The film follows a man obsessively repeating a sacred motion with a golden spoon, trembling as he pushes past exhaustion.

Between Stops

Director: Tal Kulikov
Country of Origin: Israel

Synopsis:
A fleeting glance on a crowded bus turns into an unexpected connection. Two strangers drift through their days, lost in their screens, unaware that fate has already begun its quiet work. Until they meet again. A short story about love found in the pauses of life.

Tiny

Director/Writer/Producer: Alouette Hill
Producers: Som, Tiyana Nayee, Daniel Booroff
Country of Origin: United Kingdom

Synopsis:

Caught in the shifting light of love and loss, an artist journeys through memory to understand that healing begins with acceptance

The ball

Director/Writer/Producer: Lara Suñer
Country of Origin: Argentina

Synopsis:

Ramón, an eleven-year-old boy, dreams of having a new ball. When he asks his grandmother for help, they both face financial limitations that prevent them from getting one.
Amid frustration and tender moments, their relationship becomes the heart of the story.

Marta

Director/Writer: Unė Kvietkauskaitė
Producer: Soraja Bložytė
Country of Origin: Lithuania

Synopsis:

MARTA (11) is a daughter of a professional violinist, forced to take on her mother's footsteps to becoming a soloist herself. As an important contest approaches, Marta must navigate the deteriorating relationship with her mother and learn the meaning of true family values.

The Lift-Off Season Awards is an annual event that celebrates the very best of indie film. Following each Lift-Off film festival, films that have excelled in their respective category are short listed for a Season Awards Nomination.  At the end of the year, once all the 12 city-based festival have taken place, the shortlisted nominated films are reviewed again by the jury and Official Nominations are designated.  Click here for more information about the Lift-Off Season Awards.