Thank you to all the filmmakers who participated in the November 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
Beauty Potion
Director/Producer: Royston Chiandra
Country of Origin: Indonesia
Genre: Short film, Animation
Synopsis:
Beauty potion is our original Indonesian folklore short animation. It tells a story about Aryanti, a young woman who wants to be beautiful so she can marry a man that she loves. At her lowest she follows a mystical whisper and find a mysterious woman that has a potion that will change her life forever.
Season Award #15 Shortlist: Best First-Time Filmmaker
Audience Choice Winners
The Veiled Abyss
Director/Writer/Producer: Hayley Paultyn
Producer: Bethan Branagh
Country of Origin: United Kingdom
Genre: Experimental, Feature, Short
Synopsis:
This found footage short film revolves around Holly, an influencer and singer, who ends up in a mysterious convent/refuge after a car accident. She befriends long term residents of the refuge, Bella and Kayleigh. As things become increasingly sinister Bella, Holly and Kayleigh begin to question the true intentions of the sisters
Children beyond the war
Director/Writer/Producer: Gregory Herpe
Director/Writer: Arthur Herpe
Country of Origin: United Kingdom
Synopsis:
Grégory came up with a project to teach children photography in a fun way, and with the help of amusing games, the kids became passionate about this art form, forgetting the dramas of their lives.
The father and son made a documentary during their stay in the country, to show the project and let the children talk about their lives, their dreams, their future, etc.
Stars
Director/Writer/Producer: Leonardo Belletti
Country of Origin: Canada
Synopsis:
The owner of a frozen yogurt store uses desperate attempts to preserve the 5 star image of his business following a certain road rage incident.
Furbit
Director/Writer/Producer: Grace Jane Archer
Country of Origin: United States
Synopsis:
Introducing Mattel and Googles latest product, a fusion of a Furby and a Fitbit that will guide you towards health and be your friend forever!
Clara (2025)
Director/Writer: Cory Maddalena
Country of Origin: Canada
Synopsis:
One writer's incredible discovery forces him to confront his horrifying past.
Fevolution
Director/Writer/Producer: Anastasia Antonakaki
Producer: Natassa Delivoria
Country of Origin: Greece
Synopsis:
A woman narrates a fairytale in a forest, during dawn. Suddenly, she finds herself caught in an electronic but natural ecstasy with two more women. After an exhausting ode in the forest, the ritual is transferred on a theatre stage, where the reality multiply itself and performing is an act of every-day life.
KEDHOK (MASKS)
Director/Writer: Ayip WS Nugraha
Producer: Aradhea Dwinarena
Country of Origin: Indonesia
Synopsis:
Nila, a woman who lives alone in another country. In her solitude, Nila often faces loneliness and tries to find the best solution for her survival. How she learned to enjoy adolescence amidst isolation, how she began to mature and get used to accepting loneliness, and how she waited for her time when she was old. Through self-contemplation, she interprets her loneliness in various ways, one of which is dancing. Dancing is a way for her to actualize feelings that are even difficult to express in words. Gestures are Nila's way of communicating with herself, other people, situations, nature, and God.
Pressure
Director/Writer/Producer: Darvin Ezell
Producer: Rinika Wallace
Country of Origin: United States
Synopsis:
In life, being under PRESSURE can be a good thing or a bad thing. When Keyonnes back is against the wall, will that Pressure make him or break him?
BronzerLand
Director/Writer: Bilel M
Writers: Keri Connor,Ulrich Zehe
Producer: Hippolyte Chautard
Country of Origin: France
Synopsis:
Edgar is a young man in his twenties. His greatest dream is to become a detective. One morning, against his family's wishes, he decides to sneak away and take part in a detective competition in BronzerLand, where atrocity and crime reign supreme.
APEMAN
Director: Emily Jeanne Aiken
Country of Origin: United States
Synopsis:
A music video about two ape-people falling in love.
Solitary Exposure
Director/Writer/Producer: Alex Twyford
Country of Origin: United Kingdom
Synopsis:
A film photographer walks through London observing and capturing pockets of life and beauty. Through his camera he connects with the world around him, yet he is always by himself. Is he lonely? Or does he enjoy the solitude?
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.