Thank you to all the filmmakers who participated in the First-Time Filmmaker Sessions Volume 4!
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
The Grief That Will Remain
Director/Writer/Producer: Harris Koutroumpopoulos
Country of Origin: Greece
Synopsis:
After the recent death of her grandmother from Alzheimer's disease, Agathi, a 20-years-old girl struggles to deal with her loss, keeping a defence against her feelings and her mother. Her mother Maria, feeling alone and while arranging her mother's funeral, tries to reach out to Agathi. After a fight between them, Agathi goes for the first time to the nursing home that hosted her grandmother to get some of her personal belongings. Taking a first step to face her death and experiencing a childhood memory with her, she finally decides to manage the grief together with her mother.
Season Award #16 Shortlist: Best First-Time Filmmaker
Audience Choice Winners
Mystery Fraser 1910
Director: Shuhaimi Zulkefli
Writer/Producer: Elani Aidid
Producer:Amai Kamarudin
Country of Origin: Malaysia
Synopsis:
This film is Inspired by True story that happened in Fraser Hill, Malaysia in 1910 whereby the explorer who develop the place known as Louis James Fraser mysteriously dissapeared and never found till today. His worker, Asan make A police report and police conducted search and rescue mission but failed to find him. But instead they are haunted by A mysterious woman named Isyani. This film is funded under “First Time Amateur Filmmaker Fund” awarded by Ministry of Communications to the Production and they chose drama TV Series director, Shuhaimi Zulkefli as the Director and this is his First film.
Midnight Cinema
Director/Writer/Producer: Mazen lotfy
Country of Origin: Egypt
Synopsis:
A filmmaker keeps on having repeated nightmares after midnight which make him notice details about them which made him eager to wait each night to watch the next nightmare like a new movie waiting to be released
SENSE OF BELONGING
Director/Writer/Producer: Irena Grigorova Daskalova
Country of Origin: Bulgaria
Synopsis:
For centuries, the Bulgarian town of Chiprovtsi has been known for its colorful handwoven carpets. Today, this art is beginning to disappear, much like the forgotten history of three Catholic bishops born in the town during the 17th century.
In a small village in central Italy, Father Angelo, already ill, writes a book in Bulgarian dedicated to these three men. He researched their history during his ten-year stay in Bulgaria.
The Last Beautiful Thing
Director/Writer/Producer: Luca Luongo
Writer: Luigi Granato
Producers: Vincenzo Luongo, Elio Parascandolo, Silvio Rizzi Torino
Country of Origin: Italy
Synopsis:
Adele, in her early twenties, lives her wild life, commuting between the nightlife of a Naples “Babylon” and the regret over an abortion. She thinks her life can be improved by conquering Renzo, a PR as fascinating as slimy. But when an ambiguous figure, Federico, who seems to come from another era comes into Adele's life, the young girl will discover the true beauty. Federico will lead Adele to face the ghosts of her recent past, but perhaps it could be too late for her.
The idea
Director/Writer: Gerard Clua
Producer: Chema Rodríguez-Calderón
Country of Origin: Spain
Synopsis:
We are inside the mind of a creative artist as they bring a clown and magic routine to life. From the initial spark of inspiration to the moment of performing before an audience, we explore the emotional highs and lows and the challenges that shape their artistic journey. This documentary unveils the relationship between creative chaos and the pursuit of artistic fulfillment.
Immigrant
Director/Producer: Vivek Mitra
Writer/Producer: Jishnu Krishnakumar
Writer: Ajay Infanto
Producers: Tintu Titus, Vijay Ayyapann, Rohit Menon
Country of Origin: Australia
Synopsis:
Immigrant is a gripping, emotional tale of survival, resilience, and the sacrifices immigrants make in pursuit of a better future. It asks the question: how far will you go to keep your dreams alive when the world conspires to break you?
In a foreign land where dreams are a currency, Rohit, an immigrant caught between survival and ambition, navigates a treacherous landscape of hope, despair, and betrayal.
Inhabitants of Brazil: Golden Lion Tamarin
Directors/Writers: Juliana Deeke, Camila Dalossi, Giulia Morales
Producer: Beware Collective
Country of Origin: Brazil
Synopsis:
Inhabitants of Brazil: Golden Lion Tamarin is a mini-documentary by Beware Collective that explores the journey to preserve the golden lion tamarin, a symbol of the Atlantic Forest. Featuring Andreia, a passionate advocate who began her work in 1983 as a volunteer, the film follows the efforts of the Golden Lion Tamarin Association. The narrative highlights actions such as reforestation, research with individuals of the species and the creation of forest corridors, as well as the involvement of various social actors. The documentary celebrates the initiatives that bring together science, the community and sustainable tourism to guarantee the survival of the species and environmental conservation in Brazil.
Mail Order Bestie
Director: Paola Angarita
Writers/Producers: Edie Pilar Monroy, Laura Michl
Country of Origin: United States
Synopsis:
A ruthlessly honest snob excited to show off her new AI-bot, gets a rude awakening when her robo-pal isn't the pushover she was hoping for!
Walsall Leather Museum
Director/Writer/Producer: Pardeep singh
Country of Origin: United Kingdom
Synopsis:
This documentary delves into the heart of Walsall, exploring the rich history of its Leather Museum through candid interviews with artisans, visitors, and local residents. Amidst plans by the Walsall Council to relocate the museum—a proposal recently shelved due to public opposition—the film captures the community's deep-rooted connections and the collective effort to preserve their cultural heritage.
intruders
Director: Steve Simmons
Country of Origin: United Kingdom
Synopsis:
Lockdown is in full swing. A new threat begins to trouble a lone isolator.
The culprit
Director: Bamidele Lamidi
Director: Joel Samuel
Writer: Elizabeth Adeyemo
Producer: Blessings Kamba
Country of Origin: Nigeria
Synopsis:
A satire set in Nigeria about a podcast host who takes it upon herself to fight corruption in the country and it turns out she's a culprit.
There Will Come Soft Rains
Director/Editor: Jake Ryder Waks
Country of Origin: United States
Synopsis:
Video archival footage over narration of a poem.
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.