Thank you to all the filmmakers who participated in the 2026 May Lift-Off Showcase!

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.

Sister's Keeper

Director/Writer: Yusuf Abiola Olodo
Producer: Tamara Therese Olodo
Country of Origin: United Kingdom
Genre: Shorts

Lotto Cops

Director/Writer: Zak Harney
Writer: Andrew David Fisher
Country of Origin: United Kingdom
Genre: Shorts

Synopsis:
After buying a lottery ticket, a jaded teacher is interrogated by LOTTO (Look Out Time Travellers Organisation) as they accuse him of being a time traveller!

Jerry, Marry, Allen, and Luke

Director: Will Osborn
Writer: Marlon Jacobi
Country of Origin: United States
Genre: Short

Synopsis: The presence of a loved one is felt in the aftermath of their passing. Everyone left is forced to grapple with their own notions of self and relationship with the deceased.

Keepsake

Director/Writer/Producer: Erik Skramstad
Producers: Andre Herrera, Emily Russell, Christa Beth Herrera, Alice Pearce
Country of Origin: United States

Synopsis: When Lily’s husband transports them back into their happiest memory together, she must choose whether to face the harsh reality of their present or start over in an idyllic past. But the romantic gesture soon turns into a surreal nightmare and Lily must find a way to save herself and her future.

This Dangerous Yet Beautiful World

Director/Writer: Maxwell Smith
Country of Origin: United States

Synopsis: A naive explorer leaves the safety of his walled off society to traverse the unmapped regions of the fantastical world he calls home.

ETHER

Director/Writer/Producer: Christopher Levoy Bower
Producer: Daniel Jamal Judson
Country of Origin: United States

Synopsis: After a mysterious disaster, a lone gardener tries to revive his ruined village, only to discover a strange purple firefly linked to forgotten magic. When a desperate fox spirit steals it to regain her true form, she accidentally unleashes a toxic swarm that dooms the village once and for all.

ARTEMIS

Director/Writer/Producer: Lorenzo Olson
Country of Origin: United States
Genre: Sci-Fi, Fantasy, Psychological Thriller

Synopsis: Artemis enjoys the day watching people walk by, falling into her regular routine. Don finds himself on Artemis’ path. He follows her into the woods and doesn’t know why. What happens from there, only the woods bear witness.

Across the Quiet

Director/Writer/Producer: Ryan Lackenby
Country of Origin: United Kingdom
Genre: Thriller, Horror

Synopsis: Across the Quiet follows The Wanderer and her younger brother as they navigate a broken world. Driven to protect him, she sees only survival, while he holds onto hope, dreaming of a future where she can finally let go and live beyond fear.

21 Days to Save a Life

Director/Writer/Producer: Ben Rawlins
Producers: Jordan Rawlins, Randen Jones, Issac Stevic
Country of Origin: United States
Genre: Drama, Musical, Thriller

Synopsis: Lily Haus is kidnapped and held for ransom. Her parents, Marilyn and Logan Haus, must put their painful history aside to find their daughter. Meanwhile, Lily discovers a deeper mystery surrounding her captor.

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.