Many thanks to everyone who participated in this year’s Manchester 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, despite the last minute venue changes.
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. A special well done to the following films.
Photos from the event can be seen on the Manchester Lift-Off Facebook Page.
Festival Winners
Best Short Live action Narrative
(next screening with Lift-Off in New York)
Behold, Such Clown
Dir. Jacob Pilgaard
Synopsis: On his very last day working as a hospital clown, Elias encounters his past when he meets a dying girl. A meeting which may finally give him redemption for his mistakes.
Best Documentary
(next screening with Lift-Off in Amsterdam)
Rich is the Life
Dirs. Tim Baxter, Jack Leigh
Synopsis: When Marko Lauronen was diagnosed with manic depression he realised he could no longer function in mainstream society. Marko chose to leave everything behind to rekindle his boyhood obsession for gold prospecting. The film follows Marko’s search across the frozen tundras of the arctic circle as he ponders the true value of gold.
Special Mentions
Special Mention
(next screening with Lift-Off in Los Angeles)
Cotton Wool
Dir. Nicholas Connor
Synopsis: A single mother suffers a devastating stroke leaving her teenage daughter and 7-year-old son to care for her, testing the family's strength to hold things together as roles are reversed.
Special Mention
(next screening with Lift-Off in New York)
Under the Rope
Dirs. Simon Mulvaney
Synopsis: Under The Rope' is a short documentary about inspirational female Muay Thai fighter Sylvie Von Duuglas-Ittu and the story of how a feminist from the U.S.A. fell in love with a foreign community that has gender inequality at the core of its values.
Special Mention
(next screening with Lift-Off in London)
Remora
Dir. David Schofield
Synopsis: Behind the faded grandeur of a seaside resort, an inexperienced henchman takes drastic measures to protect his brother and a vulnerable woman from his new boss, a violent loan shark.
Season Award Nominations
The Debt
Directed by tefan Kjær Olsen
Best Feature Live Action Narrative
Behold, Such Clown
Directed by Jacob Pilgaard
Best Screenplay