Thank you to all the filmmakers who participated in the July 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
CAPITALISM!
Director: Christina Wu
Sound Design: Alex Fortunato
Country of Origin: United States
Genre: Animation, Comedy
Synopsis: Four friends play a board game called "CAPITALISM!" until one player becomes obsessed with winning.
Season Award #15 Shortlist
Audience Choice Winners
Môsoroki
Director:: Anurin Nwunembom
Writer/Producer: Clarisse Ndinge
Country of Origin: Cameroon
Synopsis:
Five women, and one man, who are rape and sexual assault survivors from different works of life, share their experiences, including how they overcame the trauma. They take us through the deep feelings of pain, misery, agony they suffered and how they survived, or are surviving it. Professionals from different fields, also chip in elaborate measures, educating survivors and the society, on everything they need to know about rape, including what to do. Rape cases are unfortunately increasingly rampant in the society today, this documentary serves as a means to create awareness, and to educate, especially society, on how to care for rape survivors, instead of stigmatising them.
FORTITUDE
Director: Sam Sparara Modieginyana
Writer/Producer: Thapelo Moleft Dikhutso
Country of Origin: South Africa
Synopsis:
The story about Sam, a retrenched man who hides his job loss from his wife, Nomsa, by secretly collecting and recycling bottles for survival. He gets a call informing him to come sign papers for his severance pay, Sam’s excitement turns to despair as he learns it was a mistake. Heartbroken, he must reveal the truth to Nomsa about his job loss. However, she surprises him by securing a loan to buy him a mini truck, enabling them to build a successful recycling business together. The story highlights resilience, love, and the transformative power of unity in the face of adversity.
Made Men
Director/Writer/Producer: Sommy Sebastian Krause
Country of Origin: Denmark
Synopsis:
In the early 2000's, the Italian American cousins, Jimmy and Giovanni get to meet The Capo at his restaurant, for an important conversation. Jimmy wants to become a made man, while Giovanni wants to have his fathers business protected.
One Single Shot
Director: Oluwasegun Samuel Ilupeju
Country of Origin: Nigeria
Synopsis:
In this inspiring Documentary, Bayo Omoboriowo, the Official photographer to the president of Nigeria for 8 years (2015-2023) and Dotun Popoola, a metal art recyvler and sculptor, share their insights on success. The documentary passes a clear message that all it takes is one moment, that extra effort and drive, One Single Shot can transform your life forever. One single opportunity can propel you to great heights.
THE GROVE
Director/Writer: Bruno Maciel
Producer: Matheus Ribeiro
Country of Origin: Brazil
Synopsis:
In "Bosque", a group of friends decide to explore a trail, triggering brutal events when they encounter a masked killer. The ride turns into a nightmare, confronting them with the darkness of their secrets. Amidst the suspense, the plot reveals the dark side of their relationships.
Cycle
Director/Writer/Producer: Kazeem Abdulkareem
Country of Origin: Nigeria
Synopsis:
A very short cinematic masterpiece pointing at players playing the game of love.
Viles
Director/Writer/Producer: Dave Alcaide
Country of Origin: Spain
Synopsis:
Everything must be perfect and the doors must open to look for what we want so much, but inside that room our nightmares are hidden and there will be no escape, the mind will catch us in its claws and will not escape us. Are you still dreaming? Wake up!
Silent Longing
Director/Writer/Soundtrack: Eleazar Queipo
Country of Origin: Venezuela, Bolivarian Republic of
Synopsis:
Three years after seeing his family for the last time, the documentary filmmaker of this story travels to Venezuela to visit those he loves most. Before his trip and on his return, he speaks with several Venezuelans who, without knowing each other or asking them, are clear about what hurt them the most when they were forced to leave their native country: Leaving their family behind.
Artistic Currents
Director/Writer/Producer: Kell thomas
Country of Origin: Canada
Synopsis:
An animated short film featuring my art work set in motion , award winning Vancouver island artist. All done by myself
Mask
Director/Writer: Benjamín Romero
Producer: Erika Valladares
Cinematography: Yasahir Cortés Billión
Sound Designer: Vicente Méndez
Country of Origin: Mexico
Synopsis:
Mask is a profound journey into the heart of Mexican wrestling, where masks are the very soul of the spectacle. Through three different perspectives, this documentary immerses us in a world where reality blends with fiction, and identity becomes a well-kept mystery.
The Song Of Galesh
Director: Kondor Shekari
Writer: Ghaem Oure
Producer: Abolghasem Shekari
Country of Origin: Iran, Islamic Republic of
Synopsis:
Set in northern forests of Iran, “The Song Of Galesh” follows the daily life of the Galesh people with their folk music and keep traditions alive. A remarkable piece of filmmaking
Three Nights
Director/Writer/Producer: Dayana González Fajardo
Producer: Laura Franco
Country of Origin: Mexico
Synopsis:
A woman has to present her musical show for three nights in the middle of depression due to the loss of her partner.
The Life of Death
Director/Writer/Producer: Thodoris Sarafis
Country of Origin: Greece
Synopsis: What if Death was one of us?
Pantheon Biographies - a show about the immortals who live among us - deconstructs what makes this living embodiment of death, decay and destruction, such an important part of all history and each and everyone of us.
Is he an artist? A choreographer of destruction? Or is he just a clumsy moron that spreads chaos in his path?
Thursdays
Director: Steve Hutchins
Country of Origin: United States
Synopsis:
A bartender offers some consolation to a condemned man.
A one minute movie by 808 Cleveland Films.
The Final Shot
Director/Writer: José Ángel Sarmiento
Assistant Director: Ulla Jonson
Director of Photography: Leo Chun
Country of Origin: Sweden
Synopsis:
Two men with high egos clash in a poker game. One’s dominance leads to escalating tension, causing the game to spiral out of control.
Curry in a Hurry
Director/Writer: Aman Singh
Producer: Ayana Ahuja, Caroline Kibbe
Country of Origin: United States
Synopsis:
When a tabla player's instrument breaks a few hours before his performance, he receives a mysterious call offering him a tabla in exchange for some home-cooked Indian food.
Proteggt
Director/Writer: RONG-JHEN CHANG
Writer: ZI-YI ZHAN, YU-CHIECH TSAI
Producer: WEN-CHI HSIAO
Country of Origin: Taiwan
Synopsis:
The woman carries an egg back to home. It’s her first time as a mother and cares for it. Fearing that the egg will be harmed, but it doesn't seem to be working out so well. One day, the egg struggles to stand still, the mother is so moved that she tries to record the moment on her cell phone. But the egg falls down in front of her, and the mother is plunged into a whirlpool of self-loathing. Holding the bandaged egg in her arms, she made up her mind, which has since fueled her paranoid desire to protect it.
Lift-Off Season Awards #15
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.