Many thanks to everyone who participated in this year’s London Lift-Off Film Festival. It was great to see so many filmmakers and film enthusiasts filling the screenings in support of both local and international indie films. The judges' votes have been counted and added to the audience's feedback. Huge congratulations to the filmmakers who screened with us, who all did themselves proud. All London Lift-Off Film Festival winners will receive complimentary screenings at future Lift-Off Film Festivals. A special well done to the following films.
Photos from the event can be seen on the London Lift-Off Facebook Page.
Festival Winners
Best Feature Live Action Narrative
(next screening with Lift-Off in Berlin)
Love Possibly
Dirs. Michael Boccalini, Che Grant
Synopsis: A rom-com obsessed virgin finally finds a fiancee on a Russian bride site, but he soon realizes Hollywood rom-com rules don't apply when you're trying to make a mail-order bride love you.
Best Short Live Action Narrative
(next screening with Lift-Off in Berlin)
Judith Hotel
Dir. Charlotte Le Bon
Synopsis: To sleep forever, that is Remi's dream. Eight years of insomnia have made his life a living hell. By booking a room at the Judith Hotel, a very popular establishment, he is giving himself the opportunity for a new start. In the corridors and the dining room, Rémi meets other patrons looking for answers and freedom: Louis, who eats ink cartridges spritually and Suzy, a deluded ex-influencer. But beyond the spotlessness of the place, reception seems a little disorganized.... In room 212, will Rémi change his mind about his condition?
Best Short Documentary
(next screening with Lift-Off in Manchester)
Drug Runner
Dir. Charlotte Regan
Synopsis: Phone calls, school and first arrests - the experiences of a 15 year old cocaine dealer.
Special Mentions
Special Mention
(next screening with Lift-Off in Manchester)
Sylvia
Dir. Richard Prendergast
Synopsis: A loving family set off in their car on what seems like a carefree family outing. As Mandy drives, they sing along to a favourite song, stop for ice- creams and play eye-spy. However, it gradually becomes clear that this isn’t a family outing after all, and that their destination isn’t a happy one. In fact, their destination is the house of a man, due to buy their car, and only once the car has stopped does the actuality of the narrative fully manifest.
Online Winners
Winning Short Film
(next screening with Lift-Off in Manchester)
Poacher
Dir. Tom Whitworth
Synopsis: A desperate farmer runs into trouble after he steals blood ivory from a gang of international terrorists.
Winning Feature Film
(next screening with Lift-Off in New York)
Even Jesus Was Bipolar
Dirs. Yamile Calderond & Edward Cunniffe
Synopsis: Even Jesus Was Bipolar is a documentary about Hernando Calderón who recently and over the course of a year went blind and was diagnosed as Bipolar. These new conditions in Hernando’s life initially traumatic, gave way to a process of acceptation and understanding of his mental condition and blindness which opens a new way to see the world and himself; giving him the opportunity to live a more meaningful life.
Officially Selected Screenplays
Season Award Nominations
The Lift-Off Season Awards is an annual event which celebrates the very best of indie film. Following each Lift-Off film festival, films which have excelled in their respective category are nominated and invited to attend the prestigious Lift-Off Season Awards, culminating at the end of the Lift-Off season. Click here for more information about the Lift-Off Season Awards.
The full nominations list for Season Awards 2018 is now live and can be viewed here.