Thank you to all the filmmakers who participated in the 2023 Paris Lift-Off Film Festival. It has been a fantastic experience witnessing so many filmmakers taking part and the tremendous global support for authentic independent cinema.
After meticulous scrutiny, the judges' evaluations have been combined with the audience's feedback. We extend our warmest congratulations to the filmmakers who graced our screens! In particular, we commend the following films for their exceptional contribution...
Festival Winners
We are thrilled to announce the winners of the Paris Lift-Off Film Festival in their respective categories! Huge congratulations to all the winners!
UNDER [SI:]
Dir. Morgan Le Faucheur
Synopsis:UNDER [SI:] recounts the birth of the underwater ecomuseum in Cannes, near the southern shore of Île Sainte- Marguerite. From stopover to stopover, the documentary goes to meet the protagonists and the places that participated in the project. Produced and directed by ALMO Film, the short film offers an intimate look and a behind-the-scenes look at the creative process of British sculptor Jason deCaires Taylor.
From the first castings of the faces of Cannes habitants in 2018 to the immersion of the 6 colossal statues in 2021, UNDER [SI:] highlights for the first time the stages of creation of the project, which has established itself as real logistical and ecological challenge. But the narrative proposal of the documentary UNDER [SI:]
goes further. It explores the faces of Jason deCaires Taylor'spolymorphic work in Cannes...
Short Listed for Best Documentary
DARK CELL
Dir. Jean-Michel Tari
Synopsis: Two convicts in an orbital prison are doing what they usually do, which is to say, not much.
Suddenly, two panicked guards armed to the teeth burst into their cell. The guards tell them that the orbital prison has just been invaded by blood-thirsty zombie-type creatures. If they want to survive, their only solution is to eject their cell and return to Earth. But when the ejection order is entered into the computer, it refuses it. The cell, designed for two occupants only, now holds four people. There can only be two lucky winners… and there’s not much time to pick them.
Short Listed for Best Short Film
Happen to Happen
Dir. Julie Joohee Jeon
Synopsis: Follow Noori's journey as she tries to return her friend, Sena's cat, Tori, in this adventurous and heartwarming tale. Things take an unexpected turn when Noori mistakenly hops into a driving school car instead of a taxi, leaving her stranded in an unfamiliar town. From losing her phone and credit card in a sewer to spending a night in an old van, Noori encounters numerous obstacles on her way to delivering Tori to Sena's aunt. Along the way, she discovers a newfound appreciation for the feline and even opens up her heart to Tori's affectionate nature. But will Noori's efforts be in vain when she discovers that Sena's aunt has no interest in Tori? Join Noori on her emotional journey as she embarks on a mission to reunite Tori with her rightful owner.
Short Listed for Best Feature Live Action Narrative
Short Listed Films
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.
SIS
Dir. Julie Lindhardt
Synopsis: The film portrays a divorce experienced through the eyes of the child. In the film we follow the young girl Vigga and in her fight to save her beloved dog Sis, in the middle of her parents' ugly divorce. The short film is based on a single hour, while they are moving from Vigga's childhood home. In the middle of the move, Vigga learns that Sis cannot live with Mom or Dad, but will instead go to a "nice place on the countryside". This is catalyst of Vigga's desperate fight to save Sis. In the midst of her struggle, her parents must meet for the first time in months.
Short Listed for Best Short Film
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.
Lovebirds & Ladyloves
Dir. Léon Bodier
Synopsis: After leaving Leeds with her singer fiancé, a budding artist finds herself bartending at the Covent Garden Jazzbar where he now performs. A gallerist who frequents the bar helps Emily realize her own artistic aspirations, prompting them to take up space in her career plans. With this decision, the controlling and toxic aspects of her relationship with her fiancé become quickly more apparent. Desperately seeking to regain control over her life, the young bartender is more vulnerable to other abusive men seeking to take advantage of her naivety. Finding strength through the support of colleagues will be key to Emily's ability to move forward.
The How Of Collage
Dir. Luke Danniells
Synopsis: Documentary about David Newton an American artist living in Ireland. The documentary shows David in his studio creating artwork collage through found scraps of paper and found objects. Two cameras were used for the film one Black Magic for clean clear shots and one Sony Handycam for a more aged grainy look, the thinking behind this was to give the film a collage feel. The documentary also has an original soundtrack written and performed by Jason Cooper, drummer with British band The Cure, and session Musician Oliver Kraus.
Emma
Dir. Eloïse Guimard
Synopsis: Seventy-year-old Emma paints every day in the hope of remembering the face of the woman she loves, who died in a fire some years earlier. One day, and the days after, she wakes up covered in fresh paint, not knowing how it happened.
Velocity Girl
Dir. Scott Leisk
Synopsis: After her mother is sent to jail, Chloe, a rebellious, troubled teen from the city, is forced to live with her estranged family in a small country town.