Many thanks to everyone who participated in this year’s Melbourne 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 Melbourne 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 Lift-Off Facebook Page.
Festival Winners
Best Local Film
(next screening with Lift-Off in Berlin)
Yellow
Dir. Chris Franklin
Synopsis: When Australian documentary photographer Andrew Chapman was invited to the Austin Hospital in Melbourne to photograph open heart surgery for TIME magazine, the transplant team in the operating theatre next door invited him to photograph them as well. Little did he know, this same surgical team would be saving his life 17 years later.
Best Feature Film
(next screening with Lift-Off in Berlin)
Philophobia
Dir. Guy Davies
Synopsis: Set in the rolling hills of the English countryside, Philophobia is a picture of small town adolescence. One week of school remains for Kai, an aspiring writer, and his friends while they sit their final exams. How they chose to spend this time will cost one of them their life and leave each of them changed forever.
Special Mentions
Special Mention
(next screening with Lift-Off in Manchester)
Sacrifice
Dir. Anna Maguire
Synopsis: Sacrifice' is a military love story told from a different perspective. Sacrifice follows the new life of Blake Robinson and James Hunter as they are pulled apart by forces out of their control. A heart breaking look into the Sacrifices all people make no matter where this may lie.
Melbourne Lift-Off Film Festival Online 2019 Winners
Yet to be announced...
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 Hunted
Dir. Benn Jae
Synopsis: Violet is an independent, artistic and spirited woman feeling modern pressure to commit to a relationship. She has been involved in a passionate love affair with Mac who, while being the man of her dreams, has shown some disturbing signs of deep emotional trauma. Violet must fight for her life before his desire to control her snuffs out her precious light.
Nominated for Best Cinematography
Philophobia
Dir. Guy Davies
Synopsis: Set in the rolling hills of the English countryside, Philophobia is a picture of small town adolescence. One week of school remains for Kai, an aspiring writer, and his friends while they sit their final exams. How they chose to spend this time will cost one of them their life and leave each of them changed forever.
Nominated for Best Feature Live Action Narrative
