Thank you to all the filmmakers who participated in the December edition of the First-Time Filmmaker Sessions!
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
Blind Sight
Director/Writer/Producer/: Xerxes Saviz
Director/Producer: Samuel Hurcomb
Producer: Cristofor Minea
Country of Origin: United Kingdom
Genre: Thriller, Drama, Mystery, Experimental, Surreal, Philosophical
Synopsis:
n a decaying urban landscape, John, a young man burdened with a mysterious past, wanders along a lifeless river, dragging a heavy chain connected to his backpack. As the weight of despair pulls him closer to a fatal decision, a blind and enigmatic old man named Shams interrupts his solitude. Through an eerie exchange of words, visions, and abstract memories, Shams reveals a deeper truth about seeing beyond the self.
Season Award #15 Shortlist: Best First-Time Filmmaker
Audience Choice Winners
Natzee Zombie Carnage
Director/Writer/Producer: Nicholas Weed
Writer: Franz Liebkind
Producers: Max Bialystock/ Leo Bloom
Country of Origin: United States
Genre: Feature
Synopsis:
An old style Spaghetti War / Horror B-Movie. About, American Dog-Face GIs in the Battle of the Bulge. The story of the fight against an offensive of Undead Nazi Atomic Super-soldiers trying to destroy Europe and bring about the Thousand Years of Darkness. The film is a period piece set during the Second World War. But also covers the Post-War fallout of the Zombie Technology.
Casefield
Director/Writer/Producer: Ryan Vanderbush
Producer: Kal Kociss
Country of Origin: United States
Synopsis:
After agreeing to a “simple” job, building credit in his college journalism class. Carter Williams uncovers something sinister in a small town.
Nostalgic Colors
Director/Producer: Leonardo Thimo
Writer/Producer: ElenI Anagnostopoulou
Producers: Nick Yianneas,Spyros Gozis,Antonis Meramveliotakis,Maria Storck
Country of Origin: Greece
Synopsis:
Once upon a time there were people who have dreamt a better world. So, they decided to create their own world.
Filled with memories, music and feelings, the artists are showing not only their personal point of view but also contribute by making new things. Dedicated to what their interest is, they make it alive, especially to what refers on the screen and the Internet.
The Sixth Farewell
Director: YiLin Zhou
Writer: ChuYao Huang
Production Designer: MinQing Tang
Country of Origin: China
Synopsis:
In "The Sixth Farewell", 14-year-old Leyi faces six heart-wrenching goodbyes, each marking a step in her journey to find herself within the confines of a traditional East Asian family. As she lets go of cherished things and relationships—her violin, idol, friends, and even a beloved pet—she struggles to reconcile her mother’s strict expectations with her own need for connection and self-expression.
Confess
Director/Writer/Producer: Ajit Mann
Producers: Lorik Krasniqi,Jack List
Country of Origin: United Kingdom
Synopsis:
Kevin wakes up to find that he is subjected to a psychological interrogation with a mysterious individual, seeking the answers from his past.
Anthropocenic Venus
Director/Writer/Producer: Laura Ferradas
Director: Rodrigo Nahuel Lopez
Country of Origin: Argentina
Synopsis:
This short film arises from the creative, playful and philosophical proposal of co-creating and recording an artistic performance on the question of time and about the gaze of the Venus of Willendorf as a material icon of the total feminine in time towards our present day. global. If Willendorf's paleolithic Venus figurine was incarnated in a real body today, what would happen?
Death Will Lead the Way
Director: Dean Mallison
Country of Origin: United Kingdom
Synopsis:
A supernatural tale of death and the jack-o'-lantern.
RUN RUN RABBIT
Director/Writer: Maije Guerrero
Producer: ISMAEL ISSA
Country of Origin: Spain
Synopsis:
Jesica runs desperately as three men chase after her. Amidst the pursuit, the scene turns disturbing when The Athlete catches up to Jessica and subjects her to a violent act. The rawness of the situation becomes unbearable, revealing the severity of the "human hunt" taking place. However, a shocking twist explains that all this horror is a virtual reality simulation.
The other side of St Peter
Director/Writer/Producer: Kovalew Sergei
Country of Origin: St.Petersburg
Synopsis:
A city in Russia today is considered to be a Northern cultural capital of the country.For a long time the city was the official capital of Russia.Also, it is one of the most beautiful cities of Europe and the world. The city was home to famous figures of Pushkin, Dostoevsky ,Blok ,Brodsky ,Nekrasov ,Gorky ,Akhmatova ,Dovlatov ,Tchaikovsky ,Lomonosov ,Shishkin ,Repin ,Suvorov ,Kutuzov ,the Great Imperial family.The city has many valuable objects as the Hermitage, Russian Museum, St. Isaac's, the Kazan Cathedral and the Savior on blood.
Today, the city has a different side ...
Easy Bake Husband
Director: Emily Sarah Leeds
Country of Origin: United States
Synopsis:
A lonely woman bakes herself a husband.
An Animator's Odyssey
Director/Writer/Producer: Tjeerd Boersma
Country of Origin: Netherlands
Synopsis:
The concept of An Animator's Odyssey is driven by childhood fears and the urge to create art that leaves a lasting impact. The fear of death emerged from an early age, leading to a quest to use time and creativity as a means to transcend mortality. An Animator's Odyssey unfolds as an exploration of letting go of control and embracing the joy of the creative process.
the escape
Director/Writer/Producer: Julian Langhans
Country of Origin: Germany
Synopsis:
Maria stands at a crossroads. Two primal forces pull at her, stirring fear, hope, mania, and despair. They culminate in Maria's breakdown. Which urge she ultimately succumbs to remains uncertain.
Lift-Off Season Awards #15
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.