Thank you to all the filmmakers who participated in the First-Time Filmmaker Sessions Volume 13!
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!
Jury's Overall Winner
Rusalia
Director/Writer/Producer: Horia Bazavan
Country of Origin: Belgium, China, Romania, United Kingdom
Synopsis:
On the night of Rusalii, a man is overtaken by Rusalia, a seductive spirit drawn from Romanian myth. What begins as a fleeting encounter turns into a trance-like possession, pulling him into a world where desire, fear, and folklore blur.
Audience Choice Winners
Driver
Director/Writer/Producer: Rodolfo C. Rivas
Country of Origin: Mexico
Synopsis:
In the streets of Guadalajara, a seasoned driver known as "El Jefe" takes his 1967 Mustang for one final job. As he weaves through the city's dangerous underbelly, dodging enemies and the law, El Jefe races against time, facing the consequences of his past and the high cost of his future. One last drive. One last chance to escape.
The Devil Told Me To
Director/Writer/Producer: Josh Moore
Producer: Kin Kelty
Country of Origin: United States
Synopsis:
A young, religious college student (Kenzie) deals with stress and anxiety from a class project, when her partner and friend won't contribute to any of it. Kenzie reaches out for help in hopes to solve all of her problems, but she doesn't realize who she ends up calling out to for help.
A duel is a duel
Director: Aries Sixx
Writer: Messua Mazzetto
Country of Origin: Italy
Synopsis:
Two sisters Martha and Jane are meeting after longtime that they don't see each other. The meeting it's an occasion to talk about their common past and about their relatives. Everything seems fine until the moment of the "duel".
Orange Line
Director/Writer: Abraham Romero Sánchez
Producer: Esdras Agustín Romero Reyna
Country of Origin: Mexico
Synopsis:
In the subway cars of Mexico City, a boy faces everything he didn't dare say in a message that was always on the verge of being sent, but never was. In the dull routine of a common commute and the flash of social media, the memory of a girl keeps him in his melancholy and helplessness. A silent story that makes regrets scream, making memory visible.
Kill or be killed!
Director/Writer/Producer: Hubert Ifokanbale laolu-kolawole
Writer: Claire Stella Onyeso
Country of Origin: Nigeria
Synopsis:
A quiet evening between lovers takes a dark turn when uninvited guests arrive with sinister intentions. As the night unravels, a simple home becomes the stage for a deadly game, one that tests the boundaries of love, fear, and choice.
Don't Do Drugs
Director: Josh Moore
Country of Origin: United States
Synopsis:
This Experimental Film covers the question of what it feels like to be on marijuana. The film switches between internal and external feelings. It also gives the viewer different variations of what someone may feel while taking marijuana.
A Peer Medley
Director/Writer/Producer: Peter Glinski
Country of Origin: United States
Synopsis:
My Professor had a stack of graphic, abstract drawings made by classmates from a previous class. He asked if anyone could animate the drawings, not expecting any responses. I stepped up and volunteered. I created this experimental animation inspired both from classmates drawings and 1920’s and 1930’s animation.
Lift-Off Season Awards #17
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.