Thank you to all the filmmakers who participated in the First-Time Filmmaker Sessions Volume 3!
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
Your Heart Saved Me
Director/Writer/Producer: ghita mizdid
Producer: Omar Saaflouakete
Country of Origin: Morocco
Synopsis:
In a country where organ donation remains a complex and often misunderstood subject, this documentary sheds light on the human stories behind the act of giving life. Through the voices of donors, recipients, and medical professionals, we explore the ethical, religious, and legal aspects shaping Morocco’s approach to organ transplantation. With deeply personal testimonies and expert insights, this film aims to demystify organ donation, challenge misconceptions, and inspire a cultural shift toward solidarity and hope.
Season Award #16 Shortlist: Best First-Time Filmmaker
Audience Choice Winners
I'm Sorry Son
Directors: Jason Foreman,Wendell Pully
Writers: Tonya Dorsey,Danina Lee
Synopsis:
A Mother's Redemption: Exploring the Impact of Parental Decisions in I m Sorry Son Documentary - Through intimate interviews and personal reflections this documentary delves into the repercussions of a mother's choices and the healing power of taking responsibility for one's actions
Home
Director/Writer/Producer/Voice Actor: Farzad Taheri
Country of Origin: Canada
Synopsis:
Home” is a short animated film depicting an astronaut’s return from a long space mission to his family. After spending 437 days alone in a tiny spaceship, he discovers that the concept of “Home” holds a unique meaning for him, diverging from conventional interpretations.
Through subtle visual storytelling and a hauntingly beautiful soundtrack, “Home” explores themes of isolation, longing, and the emotional complexities of finding one’s place in the universe.
Zombie Ship
Director/Writer/Producer: Art Borowiec
Country of Origin: Spain
Synopsis:
A lone FISHERMAN faces the relentless pull of a monstrous, storm-tossed sea - drawn back toward a ravenous beast lurking in its depths. Desperate to live, he will sacrifice anything, even his own humanity, in a fatal struggle for survival. Yet there’s no escape from the cycle of darkness already set in motion. This is a tale of eternal predation, not salvation. In the horror of 'Zombie Ship,' chiaroscuro reveals only what can be torn from the abyss, while the unknown thrives, undisturbed, in the suffocating shadows. The film plunges into the harrowing moral dilemma: how far will one go to save their life, when survival demands the ultimate price?
The Ghosts of Loziba
Director: Oliver Riley-Smith
Country of Origin: United Kingdom
Synopsis:
In the wilderness of Kwazulu-Natal, South Africa, lives an elusive herd of elephants whose existence hangs in the balance. A group of determined conservationists seek to make a home for them in this shrinking landscape.
The Trail
Director/Writer/Producer: Adam Clark
Producer: Enya Moore
Country of Origin: United States
Synopsis:
Lost in the woods, a woman encounters a terrified stranger.
Clouds
Director/Writer/Producer: Andy Lewis
Producer: Jake Horowitz
Country of Origin: Canada
Synopsis:
An overworked employee, Steven, is stranded at a motel with his CEO’s unruly son, Tyler. While Steven tries to get them back on the road, Tyler's determined to push him to an emotional breaking point for his own pleasure.
Dawoe Bushshu
Director/Writer/Producer: Bezabh Berhanu Woldemichael
Country of Origin: Ethiopia
Synopsis:
"Dawoe Bushshu" is a short film that explores the rich cultural tapestry of Ethiopia, particularly through the lens of the Sidama people. Set against the backdrop of a vibrant and diverse nation, the film delves into themes of identity, belonging, and the unique customs that define Ethiopian society.
this is an act
Director/Writer: Behzad Rostami
Country of Origin: Canada
Synopsis:
In a world where the line between reality and performance is blurred, three girls find themselves forced to make a crucial decision. But are their choices truly their own, or just part of a pre-written script? In the end, what seems like an undeniable truth is nothing more than an act
The Imperfect Plan
Director/Writer/Producer: Casty Dampson
Producers: Kwaku Edusei Acquah,Obrempong Barimah,Wendy Mensah,Patricia Bubune
Country of Origin: Ghana
Synopsis:
A female tertiary student tries to blackmail her stingy father by faking a kidnap to extort money from her father, as things go south from what she originally planned.
Circle of Fire
Director: Carlos Leos
Writer:Amard Efil
Producer:3Wize Media
Country of Origin: United States
Synopsis:
Circle of Fire is a groundbreaking, feature-film-styled anthology series that brings to life the harrowing true stories of survivors of childhood abuse, assault, and neglect. Drawing directly from victims’ own words, interviews, and court transcripts, each episode dramatizes the deeply personal journeys of those who have lived through unspeakable trauma. The series begins with the story of Jasmine—tracing her painful childhood, the lasting scars into her adolescence, and her ultimate path to healing—and then expands to reveal the interconnected lives of her siblings, family members, and even the abuser, Tony. With powerful voiceovers interwoven into cinematic reenactments, Circle of Fire offers an unflinching exploration of pain, survival, and the resilient human spirit, inspiring viewers to confront the darkness and embrace the light of recover.
ECHOES
Director/Writer: Rohan S Nair
Producer: Sonia Nair
Country of Origin: India
Synopsis:
In the shadowy depths of his own mind, Alden grapples with the haunting echoes of his past choices. Once a promising performer, he finds himself paralyzed by self-doubt and haunted by the specter of failure. As he spirals into a dark abyss, Alden decides to share his despair with an old friend “Lilith”. But as the story progresses, we tend to notice that Lilith isn't actually a friend and Alden is Stuck in the Shadowy Depths of His Mind like a Nightmare.
180
Director/Writer/Producer: Salvatore Hudson
Country of Origin: United Kingdom
Synopsis:
The resilient Story of a skater learning how to complete his first trick after multiple attempts
Lift-Off Season Awards #16
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.