Thank you to all the filmmakers who participated in the 2025 Manchester 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 Berlin Lift-Off Film Festival winners!
Winners: Manchester Network Round Shorts
Ryan Can't Read
Director: Rhys Chapman
Writers: Lewis Bray, Rhys Chapman
Producer: Bryony Pulizzi
Country of Origin: United Kingdom
Genre: Short Narrative
Synopsis: Ryan (Lewis Ian Bray), a lad from Liverpool is facing immense financial hardship and the overwhelming burden of keeping up with his bills. A lifeline is thrown his way when his friend Tyrone, portrayed by James Nelson-Joyce, offers him a chance at redemption. A working class story about overcoming the difficulties we face.
Season Award #16 Shortlist: Best Short Narrative, Best Acting Ensemble, Best Art Direction
Fudge Sundae
Director, Writer: Georgia Redman
Producers: Georgia Redman, Jon S Baird
Country of Origin: United Kingdom
Synopsis: Jack has a secret that he must confess to his pregnant wife Kate. She’s recently developed a craving that she can’t get enough of - what better time to confess to her than during her favourite dessert?
Season Award #16 Shortlist: Best First-Time Filmmaker, Best Cinematography
Watering Hole
Director, Writer: Eva Blackwell-Rogelj
Producer: Ellie Lomas
Country of Origin: United Kingdom
Genre: Short Drama
Synopsis: Two girls go out to get free drinks from men in a local pub. As their night and sobriety descends they realise just how different their morals are, and just how dangerous UK nightlife can be.
Season Award #16 Shortlist: Best Director
dipolar bipolar
Director, Writer & Producer: Rani Nasr
Country of Origin: Japan
Genre: Animation
Synopsis: The title of this film is “Bipolar Bipolar” which means “two extremes”.
It symbolizes the two extremes of bipolar disorder. The story is about many rocks in my head, a cat and a dog.
The dog often appears during the day and the cat at night. Of these two beings that live in my head, the cat's presence always makes me feel mentally ill and triggers all sorts of bad emotions and all sorts of bad feelings. Therefore, I prefer dogs to cats. So after I try to curtail my evenings and save more time for the dog, the results don't seem to get any better.
Season Award #16 Shortlist: Best Animation
Anonymous Heroes
Director, Writer: Daniel Lutz
Producers: Teresa Ochoa, Bruno Lutz
Country of Origin: Mexico
Genre: Short Documentary
Synopsis: Anonymous Heroes" is a captivating documentary that follows the journey of Ignacio, a passionate mountain guide and climbing instructor. Through his personal story and dedication to his community, the film explores significant events that have left a lasting impact on multiple generations.
By accompanying Ignacio on his adventures, viewers are immersed in the beauty of Mexican landscapes and the richness of local culture. This documentary stands out for its ability to deconstruct stereotypes often associated with Mexico, offering an authentic and nuanced perspective of the country. "Anonymous Heroes" celebrates not only the resilience and courage of one man but also the spirit of an often-overlooked nation.
Season Award #16 Shortlist: Best Short Documentary
MOLA - MOLA ODDITY
Director, Writer: Maria Camila Calle Lopez
Producers: Alejandra Laverde, Pamela Yepes
Country of Origin: Colombia
Genre: Music Video
Season Award #16 Shortlist: Best Music Video
Winners: Manchester Network Round Features
One Must Wash Eyes
Director, Writer: Sepideh Yadegar
Producers: Sepideh Yadegar, Amanda Konkin
Country of Origin: Canada
Genre: Feature Drama
Synopsis: One Must Wash Eyes is a drama about SAHAR. An aspiring international student from Iran who is naturally suited to academics. Her ambitions take her away from her home, culture, and most importantly, from her MAMAN. Although she has been studying in Vancouver for three and a half years, she has difficulty connecting with her peers after studying and working at her uncle's grocery store. She finds joy in relating to TNT, an eight-year-old kid whose expertise lies in spray-painting poorly drawn smiley faces around the neighbourhood.
Season Award #16 Shortlist: Best Feature Narrative
Show Up and Start - The Art and Life of Dorothy Ramsay
Director, Writer: Neil Emery
Producers: Neil Emery, Gareth Xifaris
Country of Origin: United Kingdom
Genre: Feature Documentary
Synopsis:Older people's voices, skills and valuable life experience can often be overlooked and minimised. "Show Up and Start" is a corrective to this omission; it's a personal, thoughtful and caring documentary that delves into the vibrant life and evocative work of Dorothy Ramsay, a Lake District-based artist in her early eighties.
"Show Up and Start" is a celebration of resilience, creativity, and the transformative power of art. This deeply personal film chronicles the remarkable journey of Dorothy Ramsay, an artist whose life has been as textured and vibrant as her work. From her postwar childhood in northeast England to her formative years at London’s Camberwell School of Art, and her reinvention as a weaver and therapist, Ramsay’s return to full-time artistry exemplifies her inspiring belief: show up and start, and the work will follow.
Season Award #16 Shortlist: Best Feature Documentary
16th 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.