A massive thank you to everyone who participated in the New York Lift-Off Film Festival 2020. 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 special well done to the following films...
Festival Winners
Best short Film
(next screening with Lift-Off in New York 2021)
Osworld
Dir. Philip Hedegaard Povlsen
Synopsis: Oswald earns his living by making videos for his channel "OsWorld", on the video sharing platform, “MeTube”. The constant demand from his growing audience and insatiable ambition drives him forward. He must constantly plunge new depths to keep his subscribers, the “OsWorldians”, entertained. Despite him doing so, he feels that he is underachieving and wants more. An opportunity presents itself in the form of a suicidal fan, offering his life for one of Oswald’s videos. He knows the “bad” publicity would perpetuate him to super stardom, but do the ends justify the means? This dark comedic and intense thriller, will not only keep the audience entertained and on the edge of their seats, but also leave them questioning what cost their entertainment comes at.
Best Short Film
(next screening with Lift-Off in New York 2021)
MISSING
Dir. Alexander Hankoff
Synopsis: MISSING is a meditative character study focusing on Paul Harper, a desperate father who's exhaustive search for his lost son has led him down a path of unintended exile.
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.
ZOO
Dirs. Will Niava
Synopsis: A misunderstanding between three juveniles and a troubled man escalates to a point of no return.
Nominated for Best Cinematography & Best Acting Ensemble
Wherefore Art Thou, Theo?
Dir. Theodore Schaffer
Synopsis: Wherefore Art Thou, Theo? is a short animation documenting the series of voicemails my mother sent me during a time of loss.
Nominated for Best Animation
Osworld
Dir. Philip Hedegaard Povlsen
Synopsis: Oswald earns his living by making videos for his channel "OsWorld", on the video sharing platform, “MeTube”. The constant demand from his growing audience and insatiable ambition drives him forward. He must constantly plunge new depths to keep his subscribers, the “OsWorldians”, entertained. Despite him doing so, he feels that he is underachieving and wants more. An opportunity presents itself in the form of a suicidal fan, offering his life for one of Oswald’s videos. He knows the “bad” publicity would perpetuate him to super stardom, but do the ends justify the means? This dark comedic and intense thriller, will not only keep the audience entertained and on the edge of their seats, but also leave them questioning what cost their entertainment comes at.
Nominated for Best Short Live Action Narrative and Best Screenplay
Missing
Dir. Alexander Hankoff
Synopsis: MISSING is a meditative character study focusing on Paul Harper, a desperate father who's exhaustive search for his lost son has led him down a path of unintended exile.
Nominated for Best Short Live Action Narrative and Best Cinematography
Spanish Pigeon
Dir. Stefan J Fideli
Synopsis: Down on their luck tricksters Richie and John, plan and execute an elaborate con against a wealthy city player, Harry Gold. However with Detective Inspector Greene sniffing around, are the odds still in their favour?
Nominated for Best First-Time Film
Paradise Hotel
Dir. Daniel Rehder Normand
Synopsis: In the middle of the Peruvian desert lies an extravagant hotel filled with endless competitive activities and entertainers, it’s the resort where everyone goes for Summer. Amongst them the introverted Guillermo battles to overcome his lack of confidence in the shadow of the school bully to win the heart of the girl of his dreams.
Nominated for Best Feature Live Action Narrative
