A massive thank you to everyone who participated in the Paris Lift-Off Film Festival 2021. 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 Film
(next screening with Lift-Off in Paris 2022)
SHOREBREAK
Dir. Thibault Cadentem
Synopsis: The film takes place in Biarritz, in the south of France. It's the beginning of summer and holidaymakers are everywhere. Ryan, Dylan and Armand, young local surfers are confronted with this new population which they don't like. After several violent altercations with tourists, their evening will turn to tragedy when they illegally enter the villas of rich parisians ...
Best Film
(next screening with Lift-Off in Paris 2022)
ALEXANNE
Dir. Kilian Thomas
Synopsis: Matthieu and Alexanne are living the perfect love story. But while the idyll of the first days gives way to routine, Alexanne gradually becomes aware of her condition...
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.
Valley of the Wolf
Dirs. Antonio Valerio Frascella, Lamia Sabic, Gabriela Forfotӑ
Synopsis:Down in the valley, towards the end of a life, the memories and dreams mingle with the stars.
Nominated for Best Short Documentary
WILD CHERRY
Dir. Yoshi Kuremura
Synopsis: A small port town in the Japanese countryside: Saori, a hairdresser, dreams of big city life in Tokyo. Yokochin, a reluctant rapper, searches for his voice. Kyoko, a femme fatale DJ, is obsessed with her 60’s radio show. One fateful night will change their lives.
Nominated for Best Art Direction
SHOREBREAK
Dir. Thibault Cadentem
Synopsis: The film takes place in Biarritz, in the south of France. It's the beginning of summer and holidaymakers are everywhere. Ryan, Dylan and Armand, young local surfers are confronted with this new population which they don't like. After several violent altercations with tourists, their evening will turn to tragedy when they illegally enter the villas of rich parisians ...
Nominated for Best Acting Ensemble
Audience Choice
The Audience Choice award is given to the filmmakers whose film received the most votes during the festival. The filmmakers will be invited to join us on the Lift-Off YouTube channel for a directors commentary roundtable. Join in the conversation as we delve deeper into each film.
Albatross
Dir. Raúl A. Rodríguez
Synopsis: Shortly after his father's death, Ismael attends a group therapy session. There he’ll meet a person that could change the way he sees his grief and even his life.
Snámh (Swim)
Dir. Lee William Williamson
Synopsis: Colm Daly, a 70yr old open water swimming veteran, tells us of his fifty years experience and passion for Irish water.
The Evening Word
Dir. Theodore Gimeno
Synopsis: Pierre Desmondes is getting ready to leave his student apartment and go back home to family for the summer. On the morning of the departure, he packs up his bags, does the dishes and tidies up the place...but his mind is already elsewhere.