Thank you to all the filmmakers who participated in the 2025 Paris Lift-Off Film Festival!
The festival platformed hundreds of films, each project worthy of recognition and celebration. 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.
The judges' scores have been combined with the audience's choices, and after careful scrutiny, it's our pleasure to announce the Paris Lift-Off Film Festival winners!
Winners: Paris Network Round Shorts
MICHEL
Director/Writer/Producer: Guillaume COURTY
Country of Origin: France
Genre: Comedy, drama
Synopsis: Two casting director from the TV show “I Have a Super Power” receive Michel, an accountant who is very good at mental arithmetic. Both agree to take him on the show... but not for the same reasons.
Season Award #16 Shortlist: Best Short Narrative
Peixinho (Little Fish)
Director: Kaushiik Subramaniam
Country of Origin: United Kingdom
Genre: Short Documentary Film
Synopsis: In a remote coastal village in Mozambique, where the ocean is both a lifeline and a force of nature, one young man dares to rewrite the narrative of his community. Peixinho is an inspiring tale of resilience and transformation, following the journey of a local hero as he bridges generations and redefines what it means to live in harmony with the sea.
Season Award #16 Shortlist: Best Short Documentary
Chocolate
Director/Writer: Yarden Lior
Producer: Suliya Walker
Country of Origin: United States
Genre: Short Narrative
Synopsis: Edith and Emanuel, a young African immigrant couple, spend a day navigating the subway system, selling chocolate to survive. As they move through crowded trains and indifferent faces, the weight of isolation and the ache of missing home stir quiet tensions between them. Their shared struggle prompts a deeper conversation about the future they imagined—and whether it still includes building a family of their own.
Season Award #16 Shortlist: Best Director, Best Cinematography, Best Actor (Jamila Gimba)
OVERFLOW
Director: YEN-CHI CHEN
Producer: NAI-I CHIU
Country of Origin: Taiwan
Genre: Animation, Short, Student
Synopsis: The female protagonist grows up in a strict household where her life is meticulously arranged by her family—everything from her diet to clothing is tightly controlled. Over time, she begins to feel the pressure of these constraints. As she matures and leaves home to study elsewhere, she breaks free from her past and gains a newfound sense of freedom. However, she struggles to navigate social relationships and unintentionally distances herself from her peers, who feel overwhelmed by her presence.
Season Award #16 Shortlist: Best Animation
Wake Up
Director/Writer: Halbe-Piter Claus
Producers:Laura Oosterloo,Janjelle Ringnalda
Country of Origin: Netherlands
Genre: Comedy, Dark, localism, Frisian, Drama
Synopsis: For Dieuwke, silence is golden: no sleep means no explosive breakdance moves. Yet the dog of her antisocial neighbor keeps her awake, night after night. Fatigue eats away at her relationship, her body protests, and her dreams falter — until she decides that decency has its limits too.
Season Award #16 Shortlist: Best Acting Ensemble, Best Art Direction
She'll be fine
Director/Writer/Producer: Shoghufa Majdod
Country of Origin: Netherlands
Genre: Drama, coming of age, short
Synopsis: “She’ll be fine” is an associative film about Sakura, who is determined to break the cycle of unequal treatment between men and women within her family. As she leaves her familiar surroundings for the city, she discovers how lonely life can really be. Sakura’s attempt to create distance so her mother can understand her only worsens their relationship. This, coupled with the news of her grandmother’s death, causes Sakura to emotionally collapse. However, the loss of her grandmother also fosters understanding between mother and daughter, marking the first step towards change.
Season Award #16 Shortlist: Best First-Time Filmmaker
I Wish You Could Be Happy Again
Directors/Writers: Jordi Gueyrard, Djimili Dimou
Country of Origin: France
Genre: Short Narrative Film
Synopsis: A monstrous creature attempts to celebrate its birthday alone in a fallen world.
Season Award #16 Shortlist: Best Music Video
Winners: Paris Network Round Features
DISTORSION
Director/Writer/Producer: Bryan Tourville
Country of Origin: France
Genre: Drama, social, crime, policier
Synopsis: Charlie, released from prison two years ago and now a fully integrated member of society, has a job and a girlfriend. He will have to confront his old acquaintances and choose between his current life, his integrity, and his previous life...
Season Award #16 Shortlist: Best Feature Narrative
Raindrop - The Journey of Water
Director/Writer/Producer: Marco Dominik Graf
Country of Origin: Switzerland
Genre: Feature Documentary
Synopsis: Hardly any element on our planet is more important than water. Wherever there is water, life thrives. Yet few people know about the remarkable creatures that navigate their daily existence in the water’s natural habitats. Far from our sight, true dramas and glories unfold every day—stories that almost no one ever witnesses. Stories full of adventure, tragedy, humor, and even love.
Season Award #16 Shortlist: Best Feature Documentary
16th Annual Lift-Off Season Awards
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.