Thank you to all the filmmakers who participated in the 2024 London Lift-Off Film Festival!
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.
The judges' scores have been combined with the audience's choices, and after careful scrutiny, it's our pleasure to announce the London Lift-Off Film Festival winners!
Winners: London Network Round Shorts
The Doula
Director/Producer: Luca Gabriel Piercey
Country of Origin: United Kingdom
Genre: Documentary, Short
Synopsis: An atmospheric portrait of Jo Piercey, a birth doula, mother and rebel, who is fighting to change the way we think about birth.
Season Award #15 Shortlist: Best Short Documentary
Sitter
Director/Writer: James Arden
Producers: Georgiana Clark, Cleo Jackson
Country of Origin: United Kingdom
Genre: Short
Synopsis: Aurora is asked to look after her friend’s cat, but as events take a turn for the worse, she is forced to ask herself - am I a good person?
Season Award #15 Shortlist: Best Short Live Action Narrative
How To Skin A Cheetah
Director/Writer: Meghan O'Shaughnessy
Writer/Producer: Thomas Purdy
Country of Origin: Ireland
Genre: Horror, thriller
Synopsis: Bobby's tales of hunting game on the plains of Tanzania inspire a sinister side in her mollycoddled co-worker Lucas.
Season Award #15 Shortlist: Best First-Time Filmmaker, Best Post-Production
The Keeper and the Moon
Directors: Börteçine Umay Sümer,Didem Peker
Country of Origin: Turkey
Genre: Drama, Romance
Synopsis: The tragic love story between a lighthouse keeper and his wife.
Season Award #15 Shortlist: Best Animation
Losing It
Director/Producer: Elise Martin
Writer/Producer: Sophie Thomas
Executive Producer: Christian Parton
Country of Origin: United Kingdom
Genre: Romance, Comedy, drama
Synopsis: Losing It is an award-winning romantic comedy about first time sex. According to her research and to-do list, 30-year-old Mabel has everything she needs to “lose it” to nice-guy Guy. But, when he needs a bit of romance to get in the mood, her clinical “do-it-and-lose-it” plan falls apart. Can she rip the bandaid off and conquer the monstrous beast that is first-time-sex? Or will she accept that being a 30-year-old virgin isn’t a world-ending disaster?Maybe, just maybe, it’s not about losing something after all…
Season Award #15 Shortlist: Best Acting Ensemble
Catastrophe
Director/Writer: Dan Silov
Producer: Vadim Zaikov
Country of Origin: Latvia
Genre: Drama, Comedy
Synopsis: Inspired by real Latvian politicians and their infamous remarks, the story revolves around Karlis Preiss, a Latvian parliament member. One morning, he wakes up to find himself embroiled in a scandal due to what he initially considered harmless comments made during a TikTok video interview. Desperate to escape the relentless press, Karlis seeks refuge in an Airbnb, where he spends the day attempting to manage the crisis, but ultimately exacerbating the situation. Over the course of a single day, he loses his family, his business associates, and his government position, all because he couldn't simply remain patient and wait things out.
Season Award #15 Shortlist: Best Actor (Lauris Dzelzītis)
Hide and Seek
Director/Writer: Rositsa Trayanova
Producer: Dessy Tenekedjieva
Country of Origin: Bulgaria
Genre: Short, Drama
Synopsis: It’s summertime. Rosie is solving mathematics while her grandmother is baking cookies. Both of them leave the tasks and the biscuits to “rise” to go and have some fun while playing “hide and seek”. Rosie is hiding first but her grandma is finding her way too quickly. After that, they switch. Counting with her eyes closed, Rosiе doesn’t realise that her life is moving as fast as the counting. Reaching 10, Rosie opens her eyes and realises that there is a change in her life that she is not ready for.
Season Award #15 Shortlist: Best Director, Best Cinematography
The Nightingale
Director/Writer: Robbi Stevens
Producer: Abbie Elliott
Country of Origin: United Kingdom
Genre: Short
Synopsis: Set in London and inspired by real-life events, The Nightingale follows Grace, a second-year university student, on her reckless and dangerous path through the different stages of PTSD. With unflinching honesty, the film explores the lasting impact of sexual assault and the courage it takes to overcome it.
Season Award #15 Shortlist: Best Art Direction
The Ladies (Pilot)
Director/Writer: Juliana Piscina
Producers: Cailin Lobb-Rabe,Gillian Mahar
Country of Origin: United States
Genre: Comedy, Sports
Synopsis: Tracy, an ex-high school basketball star, returns to coach at her alma mater, but the program isn't what it used to be and Tracy, alongside her quirky remaining players, Emma and Rita, will have to restore the program to it's former glory... or just win one game.
Season Award #15 Shortlist: Best Web Series/Episodic
Winners: London Network Round Features
DIG DEEPER
Director/Writer: Mark Street
Writers/Producers: Maree Clarke,Blak Douglas,Ben McKeown,Penny Evans
Country of Origin: Australia
Genre: Feature Documentary Film
Synopsis: Four divergent Aboriginal artists use their personal stories and historical injustice as a driving force to break through and create internationally recognized urban art.
Season Award #15 Shortlist: Best Feature Documentary
Blue
Director/Writer/Producer: David Smith
Producer: Paul Breen
Country of Origin: United Kingdom
Genre: Feature
Synopsis:Set in the Southwest of England, 'BLUE' delves into the story of two fishermen, John Winter and his son, Charlie, as they grapple with the hardships of sustaining their livelihood on a small commercial fishing boat. Their relationship undergoes profound challenges, and both must navigate obstacles in their own distinct ways.
Season Award #15 Shortlist: Best Feature Live Action Narrative
15th Annual Lift-Off Season Awards
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.