Thank you to all the filmmakers who participated in the January edition of the Lift-Off Sessions!
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.
Lift-Off Sessions is designed to be the entry into the Lift-Off Global Network. A platform for the avant-garde, Sessions isn't about selecting the 'best' or most 'commercial' projects; it is about providing a screening opportunity for everyone, connecting these new and emerging voices with new audiences. An option we hope highlights and educates each month!
Jury's Overall Winner
A Beautiful Mess
Director/Writer: Jeiji Joned
Producers: Banyu Joned, Wisesa Syauqi
Country of Origin: Indonesia
Synopsis:
Ayura, a young and beautiful woman, always struggles to maintain romantic relationships. She is currently getting close to Wira, a man she met online, and they plan to meet in person.
Before meeting Wira, Ayura’s grandmother visits her. During this visit, the cramped and cluttered state of Ayura’s apartment is revealed, filled with items that limit her movement and make the space stifling. It becomes evident that Ayura suffers from hoarding disorder.
Season Award #16 Shortlist
Audience Choice Winners
Wandering
Director/Writer/Producer: Andrew Compton
Country of Origin: United Kingdom
Synopsis:
WANDERING is a horror drama by independent writer/director Andrew Compton, starring Finn Cresswell, Nathan Stafford-King, and Nathan Carr. The film revolves around James Alden, a young man who struggles to cope with the passing of his father, and his new surroundings as he and his mother move to a new hometown. Desperate to avoid such bitter loneliness, James befriends a loner in the common after they seem to share mutual outlooks on the world - however, as time goes on, his actions become grave mistakes; and unveil the truth behind the lonely and paranoid world he now lives within.
Only For The Brave
Director/Writer: Nuria Silván Miracle
Producer: Chema Rodríguez-Calderón
Country of Origin: Spain
Synopsis:
Fifty women in their fifties and beyond open up in this honest, funny, and emotional documentary piece. A brave and moving account. For fifty minutes, they speak without holding anything back, about menopause, sex in maturity, the loss of abilities, life in a couple (or without one), and the fear of aging, death, and loneliness. Fifty perspectives weave a story that needed to be told and encourages reflection and empathy. A documentary that speaks about life without effects or intellectualism. Highly recommended for viewing by men. The more, the better.
Jungle
Director/Writer/Producer: Amgad Wagieh
Country of Origin: Egypt
Synopsis:
Conflict arises between group of professional thieves before their latest heist that takes things to a different turn.
Contact
Director: Aliks Artsishevich
Country of Origin: Russian Federation
Synopsis:
Any contact is a connection. The most common are calls, phones, messages. Intimate is in second place. But there is also one that cannot be described in words, but which can change life, destiny, or simply the state and desire of a person.
Tides Of Freedom
Director/Writer/Producer: Claudia Malecka
Country of Origin: Germany
Synopsis:
"Tides of Freedom" is a poetic exploration of self-discovery. The film delves into the process of reflecting on memories and finding liberation in one’s inner spirit.
The Sad Man
Director/Writer: Alberto Brizioli
Country of Origin: Italy
Synopsis:
A man is sad. He does things that seem to confirm his sadness.
AWAKENING
Director/Writer/Producer: Felipe Urdinola Castillo
Country of Origin: Colombia
Synopsis:
Inside the interior of a ship we see a human being asleep on the floor inside a cryogenic bag in a vacuum-sealed fetal position.
She is in the fetal position seen from a top-down shot with camera movement on its own axis (circular).
The camera slowly describes this human being who lies on the floor with her cryogenic bag, we see her extremities, her hands, legs, arms until we reach her face where she breathes through a mask with a tube that comes out of the bag.
SPACE VIEWS
Director/Writer/Producer: Spina Damianides
Country of Origin: United States
LOCKED IN
Director: FRANKLIN CHINONSO OGALANYA
Writer: ONYINYE JANE ORUH
Producers: BETTY AGBO, KENNETH MICHAEL EMUEZE
Country of Origin: Nigeria
Synopsis:
In 'Locked In,' we delve into the world of Nkem, a highly respected Pastor’s wife with an assumed perfect life. But when her long-buried secret of addiction comes to light, her world is shattered and she must confront the consequences of her actions. In this captivating story, we witness the unraveling of Nkem's' inner struggles, admist her seemingly perfect life . It's a powerful exploration of the effects of addiction to masturbation and pornography vs family and religious beliefs .
Pasteurised
Director/Writer: Harry Train
Country of Origin: United Kingdom
Synopsis:
A man who has just finished a job realises his work has followed him home with dire consequences.
the gallop
Director/Writer/Producer: Meraj Bahrami
Country of Origin: Islamic Republic of Iran
Synopsis:
In a game called gallop, the social status of people changes with each other for three minutes, and the person who has a lower social status than the other can give orders to the other person, but in return, he must sacrifice his life at the end of the game.
You're On Your Own, Kid
Director/Writer/Producer: Liam Moule
Producer: Adam Harrison
Country of Origin: United Kingdom
Synopsis:
Experience the story of Daisie-Mae, a teenager from a small town, as she struggles to balance her dreams and the expectations placed upon her. Inspired by the lyrical genius of Taylor Swift's 'Midnights,' this short film delves deep into the complexities of self-discovery and the quest for independence.
Amare
Directors/Writers/Producers: Ilhem Dahou,Louna Le Marchand,Ysaline Remaud,Malick Hottelard
Country of Origin: France
Synopsis:
In an isolated cove near a small Mediterranean town, a mermaid named Fay is stranded and covered in scars. She is approached by Maria, a saxophonist, who, in tears, pleads with her for help one last time. But the mermaid, in a fit of anger, unleashes a storm and is overwhelmed by memories of her encounter with the musician.
I love you forever
Director/Writer/Producer: Grant G Deans
Country of Origin: United Kingdom
Synopsis:
Former band members come together one last time to talk to their deceased friend.
The License
Director/Writer: Michelle Montalto
Writer: Antonietta Navarra
Producer: Giuseppe Gigliorosso
Country of Origin: Italy
Synopsis:
This is the story of Giovanni Ciaccio, set in a recent Sicily where the gossip of the townsfolk still lingers. It is said that Ciaccio brings true bad luck, which leads him to make an unusual request when he visits the tax agency: he will ask for an official license as a jinx, hoping to exploit the absurd irony of his fate to his advantage.
Hollow
Director/Writer/Producer: Ymon Baran
Country of Origin: Poland
Synopsis:
A day in the life of a solitary old-timer, where routine collides with the surrealism of his home – a tree hollow on the outskirts of a village.
KT4RS3
Director: Uoshi
Country of Origin: Brazil
Synopsis:
KT4RS3 is an experimental machinima video for The Witcher 3 that explores two antagonistic forces: violence and nature, creating moments of maximum effort as opposed to poetic suspension.
Nine Days
Director/Writer: Yanzhang Song
Country of Origin: China
Synopsis:
A moth who dreams of becoming a butterfly and a wandering flame seeking belonging embark on a touching journey of self-discovery and friendship, ultimately finding solace in each other.
Sparks
Directors: Ryan Dimitrov,Marta Alexieva
Writer: Marta Alexieva
Country of Origin: Bulgaria
Synopsis:
The love between two light bulbs makes them shine bright together, until one of them leaves the other. The remaining bulb’s light almost goes out when a new spark is formed between it and an unexpected new character.
Lift-Off Season Awards #16
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.