Help Centre
Welcome to the Lift-Off Network
Most questions can be answered in the Q&As below, if not
GET HELP or email [email protected]
How do I submit my project to a Lift-Off Festival or Showcase?
What is the difference between a Festival and a Showcase
The Lift-Off Showcases are held throughout the year and are hosted in Lift-Off HQ @ Pinewood Studios. Screening with the Showcases is dependent on the filmmakers ability to attend the respective event, and are a superb platform for collaboration, learning and networking. Showcase screenings are held outside of competition however, it is not unusual for Showcase selections to pick up Offical Selections for a Lift-Off Festival.
What is the online festival?
So we decided to run an online festival that runs tandem with every live Lift-Off Festival, to give deserving work a second chance. It has proven to be a great alternative route for well-supported work and always brings a large audience to these brilliant indie films, maximising their opportunities with the network.
Find out More
Are there any situations where you are able to offer fee waivers?
Professional Members of the Lift-Off Network have access to unlimited fee waivers for all of our 25 city-based festival and in-house showcases, based in Pinewood studios.
Join as a professional member here
I am unable to pay the submission fee due to the political circumstances in my country, how can I submit?
filmfreeway.com/TheLiftOffSessions
Do I have to live in the city to submit my film to the festivals?
If selected can you provide travel expenses and accommodation?
What is the online festival?
So we decided to run an online festival that runs tandem with every live Lift-Off Festival, to give deserving work a second chance. It has proven to be a great alternative route for well-supported work and always brings a large audience to these brilliant indie films, maximising their opportunities with the network.
Find out More
What is the Lift-Off Network platform
Full members receive free submissions to all of our festivals and showcases.
Find out More
How can I volunteer at one of your festivals?
I paid for extended feedback when I submitted, when can I expect to receive this?
How can I volunteer at one of your festivals?
Do you have any job vacancies?
We also post regularly on Facebook with office volunteer positions.
Lift Off Global Network Facebook
I'd like to produce a film with you
What is Lift-Off Online?
So we decided to run an online festival that runs in tandem with every live Lift-Off Festival, to give deserving work a second chance. It has proven to be a great alternative route for well-supported work and always brings a large audience to these brilliant indie films, maximising their opportunities with the network.
Find out More
How do I submit my project to an Online Festival?
How do I submit my project to an Online Festival?
I was notified that I was unselected, but then I was told that I selected for the online festival. Am I now selected?
Find out More
I have been asked to re-submit my film to your platform. You already have it on FilmFreeway, right?
Find out More
I'm Having Problems Uploading My Film to the Online Festival
Uploading your film can sometimes be problematic, and depends on lots of factors like internet upload speeds.
Please make sure that you keep your browser open whilst the film is uploading. If the process freezes, or you suspect something has gone wrong please don't panic. We will do everything we can to include you in the festival.
You will receive an email from the platform when your film is successfully uploaded.
If something goes wrong, don't panic:
1. Upload your film again, if there are any duplicates we will delete them from the server.
or
2. Email [email protected] with a link where we can manually download your film. A Vimeo link works well for this. Our team will then manually download/upload your project to the competition.
How can I upload my subtitles/captions?
Why are you charging people to rent the collection?
We firmly believe indie film should be valued correctly. We hope to find audiences that understand the value of the rental fee - where else can audiences find such an abundance of wide ranging, high quality, true indie work?
Will screening online affect my chances to screen with other festivals?
The online screening is much the same as being part of our live festivals, except it will be online, in a secure environment, for the world to enjoy. The films are not available freely (only those who pay to watch them have access) and after the week, they are removed from the platform.
That being said please do your own due diligence and check that an online festival screening doesn't jeopardise your eligibility with other competitions.
My supporters can’t vote on Vimeo? The comments section is disabled.
Vimeo Support have said that when the site experiences too much traffic, the comments can occasionally be disabled temporarily. Their advice is to make double sure supporters are logged into Vimeo, using the account they used to purchase the collection. Clearing your cache or using a different browser can also help.
If the festival concludes and they were still not able to vote, they can send proof of purchase along with their favourite film choices, and we will gladly add their votes once the festival has concluded if they were not able to vote.
What is the Lift-Off Sessions?
Lift-Off Sessions isn't about selecting the best possible shorts or features from the films that are submitted to us, it is about providing a screening opportunity for everyone. An opportunity we hope highlights and educates each and every month.
How do I submit my project to the Lift-Off Sessions?
I'm Having Problems Uploading My Film to the Lift-Off Sessions. Help!
Uploading your film can sometimes be problematic, and depends on lots of factors like internet upload speeds.
Please make sure that you keep your browser open whilst the film is uploading. If the process freezes, or you suspect something has gone wrong please don't panic. We will do everything we can to include you in the festival.
You will receive an email from the platform when we successfully receive it.
If something goes wrong:
1. Try to upload your film again, if there are any duplicates on our end we will delete them from the server.
or
2. Email [email protected] with a link where we can manually download your film. A Vimeo link works well for this. Our team will then manaully download/upload your project to the competition.
How can I upload my subtitles/captions?
Why are you charging people to rent the collection?
We firmly believe indie film should be valued correctly. We hope to find audiences that understand the value of the rental fee - where else can audiences find such an abundance of wide ranging, high quality, true indie work?
My supporters can’t vote on Vimeo? The comments section is disabled.
Vimeo Support have said that when the site experiences too much traffic, the comments can occasionally be disabled temporarily. Their advice is to make double sure supporters are logged into Vimeo, using the account they used to purchase the collection. Clearing your cache or using a different browser can also help.
If the festival concludes and they were still not able to vote, they can send proof of purchase along with their favourite film choices, and we will gladly add their votes once the festival has concluded if they were not able to vote.
What is the Member's Platform?
What is the difference between a Festival and a Showcase
The Lift-Off Showcases are held throughout the year and are hosted in Lift-Off HQ @ Pinewood Studios. Screening with the Showcases is dependent on the filmmakers ability to attend the respective event, and are a superb platform for collaboration, learning and networking. Showcase screenings are held outside of competition however, it is not unusual for Showcase selections to pick up Offical Selections for a Lift-Off Festival.
I don't know where to begin
What is the best membership level for me?
Production Accelerator Membership gives full access to the 5-week online training course plus all of the Professional Membership features.
Learn more about the Production Accelerator here.
Professional Membership works well if you already have a project or two to submit to the Network. Professional Members receive complimentary submissions to all Lift-Off Festivals and Showcases, as well as consideration for your nearest Professional Member screening and Networking event.
Learn more about the features here.
Intermediate Membership works well if you are starting out. You receive access to the support network - the forums, career road-mapping consultations, and the educational programmes. When you have a project for submission to the network, Intermediate members receive complimentary submissions to the Lift-Off Showcases.
Learn more about the features here.
All membership levels can access our Member's Dashboard, where you can find a whole host of tools to help you on the road of your career.
Learn more
Membership fees are in US Dollars, can I pay in my home currency?
How do I cancel my membership?
You can cancel your membership under My Account -> Cancel Membership
Or go here
Membership Refund Policy
If you wish to cancel your membership after an automatic renewal has taken place, please contact us within 7 days of the renewal date.
To request a refund email [email protected]. Please include your Network username, the email address associated with the Stripe or PayPal transaction, and your transaction ID & date.
What is the Production Accelerator?
Membership fees are in US Dollars, can I pay in my home currency?
How do I cancel my membership?
You can cancel your membership under My Account -> Cancel Membership
Or go here
Refund Policy
If you wish to cancel your membership after an automatic renewal has taken place, please contact us within 7 days of the renewal date.
To request a refund email [email protected]. Please include your Network username, the email address associated with the Stripe or PayPal transaction, and your transaction ID & date.