Thank you to all the filmmakers who participated in the October 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
What If
Director/Writer/Producer: Daiana Madeira
Producer: Sam Palmer
Country of Origin: Ireland
Genre: Short film
Synopsis:
After an unsuccessful work trip is cut short, Dave reluctantly returns to his long suffering girlfriend Sophie. Sophie has struggled with mental health for a long time and Dave doesn't understand it or know how to help. He is drained, exhausted and the positive support he used to so easily call upon is failing.
Season Award #15 Shortlist: Best First-Time Filmmaker
Audience Choice Winners
Come For Me Tomorrow
Director: Hesam Kholousi
Country of Origin: Iran, Islamic Republic of
Synopsis:
In the midst of the Iranian people's protest movement after the murder of Mahsa Amini, my daughter who had immigrated to Germany with her mother years ago asked me during a conversation on WhatsApp, "Dad, how did it end up like this?" To answer her question and for the occasion of her thirteenth birthday, I decided to write her a visual letter. "Come For Me Tomorrow" is the title of this letter; with the duration of one hour and seventeen minutes.
The Other Place
Director/Writer/Producer: Mehran Rezaei Toroghi
Country of Origin: United Kingdom
Synopsis:
The Other Place is a documentary that explores the struggles of queer Iranian migrants forced to flee their homeland due to their sexual orientation and gender identity. Through three compelling chapters, the film depicts their harrowing journey: enduring persecution in Iran, experiencing the limbo of waiting in transition countries, and facing new challenges upon resettlement in host countries.
The Wound
Director/Producer: Seloua El Gouni
Writer/Producer: Taha Benghalem
Country of Origin: Morocco
Synopsis:
"The Wound" is a powerful and poignant drama that explores the complexities of culture, tradition, and personal identity in the backdrop of contemporary Morocco. This deeply moving film tells the story of Leila, a young woman who finds herself torn between her heart's desires and the expectations placed upon her by society and her family.
Still Here?
Directors: Solène Anglaret,Robert Stanley Crampton
Country of Origin: France
Synopsis:
On the brink of despair, a woman contemplates ending her life.
Listening to heartfelt messages from friends about what makes life worth living, she discovers the fragile yet resilient thread of hope.
'Still Here' offers a series of reminders to anyone struggling to hold on in their darkest moments.
It's not worth dreaming
Director/Producer: Amanda Guilherme
Country of Origin: Brazil
Synopsis:
It's Not Worth It to Dream is an animated short set in the 1930s, which uses the Wick art style to tell a romance story. The plot revolves around a poor man who falls in love with a noble woman.
Lelee - Rane
Director/Producer: Edin Suljić
Producer: Ana Joksović
Country of Origin: Slovenia
Synopsis:
"Rane" is a hit single by the Slovenian indie rock band Lelee, released in March 2023. In its current lineup consisting of Jelena Rusjan from Serbia, Damjan Manevski from Macedonia, and Leon Stoilković from Slovenia, Lelee takes pride in its Adriatic roots and sings in a combination of Serbian, Macedonian, and Slovenian.
The Writer
Director/Writer: Tomás Pablo Goic
Producer: Nadia Krutko
Country of Origin: Costa Rica
Synopsis:
Between blindness and the desire to write, Roberto, a widowed elderly man, confronts his own physical limitations in an intense need to write his memoirs.
Trapped in their Dreams
Director/Writer/Producer: Margaret Wheldon
Writers: Elisha Cope, Denise Sachini
Producer: Joe Stanway
Country of Origin: United Kingdom
Synopsis:
Steve has been grappling with his mental health, as he seeks redemption and healing, he discovers an uncanny connection to his modern day friends.
Trapped in Their Dreams can be categorized as a psychological thriller with elements of drama and fantasy. The film explores complex themes related to friendship, past lives, and the nature of reality, which adds depth to the psychological aspects. The dream sequences could also introduce a fantastical element, enhancing the thriller's suspense and intrigue.
Walls
Director/Writer/Producer: Lester Ortega
Country of Origin: Cuba
Synopsis:
Awakened by electronic noises evoking the bustle of the internet and television, an alligator eye abruptly emerges from its slumber. As the eye surveys its surroundings, it encounters a landscape shrouded in distorted speech, where the guttural cries of political leaders intertwine like a discordant symphony.
ES
Director/Writer: Anjo Ciman
Country of Origin: Italy
Synopsis:
Deep in the night, a young boy can no longer sleep and discovers that he is not alone in the house: there is someone or something watching him...
"NO"
Director/Writer/Producer: Nino Yeverino Heyser
Country of Origin: Mexico
Synopsis:
Los días mas felices de la vida de un chico, son desatados por una tragedia.
A MURDERER OF A DREAM
Director/Writer: Hyunjoon Jun
Producer: Yosep Shon
Country of Origin: Australia
Synopsis:
A man who makes mannequin. He completes his work for solo exhibition. Afterwards, he experiences nightmare that dangerous situations occur repeatedly and murder. Finally, he wakes up from the dream and faces unbelievable situation.
CANVAS
Director/Writer/Producer: 이범규 범규 이
Country of Origin: Korea, Republic of
Synopsis:
bumkyu, a poor artist, visits an art museum. Shocked and envious of the artworks he sees there, Beomgyu starts to doubt his own artistic talent. Leaving the museum, he steps outside and discovers a discarded canvas. In that moment, he feels inspired. Beomgyu takes the abandoned canvas and heads to the Han River. After painting on the canvas by the river, he returns to the museum in the dark hours of dawn with his painting in hand...
Mundos Contrarios
Director/Writer/Producer: Nino Yeverino Heyser
Country of Origin: Mexico
Synopsis:
Silvia is a women enclosed in the narrowness of patriarchal canons. She´s just 55, but she thinks that her life lacks of value. However, she will discover soon that she´s wrong.
Road Kill
Director/Producer: Marty Agabob
Writer: Christine Bourgeois
Producer: Mark Wolfe
Country of Origin: Canada
Synopsis:
A young woman has to gather up the courage deal with an unpleasant event on her own.
Jogger
Director/Writer/Producer: Michael Romano
Country of Origin: United States
Synopsis:
The ghost of a young woman who is brutally beaten and left for dead seeks revenge on her killer.
I'm not a robot
Director: Geon-hee Eom
Producer: Ho-jin Kwon
Country of Origin: Korea, Republic of
Synopsis:
'Cursor', a mouse full of passion, has just entered the computer world. He especially does his best for his owner, 'Sonny'. One day, when 'Sonny' enters his information to join and clicks the "I'm not a robot" check box, Cursor is sucked into the world of vCAPTCHA. Cursor, who is puzzled as he is entering the world for the first time, must pass a test to prove that his owner is a human.
A Dragon in Name Only
Director/Writer: Jacynta Scurfield
Writers: Jacynta Scurfield, Megan Liddell, Irieani Nili
Producer: Jacqueline Jimenez
Country of Origin: New Zealand
Synopsis:
A lonely Komodo dragon goes to great heights to befriend a ‘real’ Dragon.
Protocol
Director: Danial Zuryan
Writer: Pooja Nansi
Country of Origin: Singapore
Synopsis:
An on-screen adaptation of Pooja Nansi’s poem titled “Protocol” from her book “Love is An Empty Barstool”
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.