A massive thank you to everyone who participated in the Manchester Lift-Off Film Festival 2022. It's been absolutely fantastic having so many filmmakers involved and seeing the global support for true indie film...
The judges' votes have been counted and added to the audience's feedback. Huge congratulations to the filmmakers who screened with us! A particular well done to the following films...
Festival Winners
Best Film
(next screening with Lift-Off in London 2022)
Who's Counting?
Dir. Ben Lankester
Synopsis: 'Who's Counting?' tells the story of a couple as they endure the pain and trauma of successive miscarriages.
Best Film
(next screening with Lift-Off in London 2022)
Burn on Arrival
Dir. Owen Gower
Synopsis: Christmas, 1995. As Scotland reels from a devastating loss of industry, a man is trapped in an escalating nightmare.
Forced to follow a series of bizarre and deadly instructions contained in red envelopes, he is soon stranded in the snowy wastes of the Scottish Highlands - his fate bound to a stranger he finds caught in the same.
Best Film
(next screening with Lift-Off in London 2022)
Sometimes They Sing
Dir. Maya Yoncali and Andy McCredie
Synopsis: Amid isolation; two lovers are driven into an upheaval of dreams, physical expression and murmuring stillness.
Season Award Nominations
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 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 Rebirthing Club
Dir. Valentina Carrasco Thayer
Synopsis:David Adams is a young man who has voluntarily closed his eyes to avoid heartbreak. After life has dealt him so many failed loves, he decides to face his trauma by undergoing a particular therapy that takes place in a swimming pool.
He will be a witness and participant in the therapies of a group of others trying to rid themselves of their fears. As the trainer takes them to their extremes, they will relive their fears and engage in feuds, whilst their bonds of trauma lead them to an unexpected ending.
Follow David as he recounts his memories with the Rebirthing Club.
Best Acting Ensemble
Burn On Arrival
Dir. Owen Gower
Synopsis: Christmas, 1995. As Scotland reels from a devastating loss of industry, a man is trapped in an escalating nightmare.
Forced to follow a series of bizarre and deadly instructions contained in red envelopes, he is soon stranded in the snowy wastes of the Scottish Highlands - his fate bound to a stranger he finds caught in the same
Nominated for Best Actor – James Harkness
DOWN IN PARIS
Dir. Antony Hickling
Synopsis: Richard, a film maker in his forties, is suddenly overwhelmed by anxiety during filming. He walks off set and wanders through the Paris night in search of answers, comfort and inspiration. During his sleepless night, he meets many people, some friendly, some disturbing, some known, some unknown. Richard has to confront his fears and question his deepest desires until the first light of dawn.
Nominated for Best Feature Live Action Narrative
Audience Choice
The Audience Choice award is given to the filmmakers whose film received the most votes during the festival. The filmmakers will be invited to join us on the Lift-Off YouTube channel for a directors commentary roundtable. Join in the conversation as we delve deeper into each film.
It's No Secret - Part 1
Dirs. Paul Summerlin, Diana Michelle
Synopsis: IT’S NO SECRET is a quasi-autobiographical documentary about acute mental illness, profound healing, and triumph over a lifetime of struggle. The story centers around the current life of Paul Summerlin, a yogi and musician, who suffered from a rare form of Schizophrenia all his life, only to be diagnosed as such at age 47. After all those years, Paul decided to go against the grain of modern conventional treatment, believing he could do much better on his own with some of the lessons he had learned along the way, if he kept properly searching..
Retake
Dir. Michael Wolf
Synopsis: A mentor and his student meet in a place of knowledge to play a familiar game of chess, with the caveat that this time the wager is a very precious item. Will the student manage to outsmart her mentor, or would the mentor’s experience get the upper hand? With a wager this personal, only the best strategist wins
Ruby
Dir. Gwendoline Laurent
Synopsis: Ruby wakes up in a place unknown to her. She hums a rhyme without sounding realize, she doesn't remember where she learned it but the tune she hums reassures. This rhyme is also hummed by a stranger, whom Ruby will try to find. Her instinct tells her that she is the key to understanding where she is.
The Snake Chief
Dir. Nick Cloete
Synopsis: Chief Bheki is desperate for his son, Prince Sifiso, to get married in order to continue their family lineage, but Sifiso wants to marry for love and he knows that all the women in the village would want to marry him because he is a prince.