Thank you to all the filmmakers who participated in the Lift-Off Sessions Volume 4!
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
Sweet Revenge
Director: James Orri
Country of Origin: United States
Synopsis:
Created by a young girl battling brain cancer, this whimsical musical short follows a baker who accidentally burns a batch of muffins—only to have them come to life and plot a sugary takeover of the shop by turning all the other muffins into cupcakes. With humor, heart, and a heroic blueberry muffin, this imaginative tale is more than just a food fight—it’s a celebration of creativity, courage, and legacy.
Season Award #16 Shortlist
Audience Choice Winners
Lighting Candle
Director/Writer/Producer: Surapong wetsuwanmanee
Writer: Wirawan Wongsa
Producer:Kanya wetsuwanmanee
Country of Origin: Thailand
Synopsis:
The story begins with Peter, a Frenchman who discovered a valuable item from the city of Kora. The secret was revealed to his friend Edmund, who wanted to possess the treasure alone. He planned to eliminate Peter and traveled to the city of Kora to find the treasure. He had to find a blue cat named Khamwan, who held the secret. However, Edmund encountered an obstacle when Mo, a brave girl who believed in goodness, found out about this evil plan and tried to obstruct it in every way. On the way to find the treasure, he had an adventure through the Dong Phaya Fai forest, which had unexpected mysteries and encountered many exciting things
humility ( & how we achieved it )
Submitted by: Paul Nathan April Alexander
Living Miracle
Directors/Writers: Gustavo Leite, Julia Sondermann
Producer: Matheus Bazzo
Country of Origin: Brazil
Synopsis:
A deeply moving narrative that portrays the extraordinary journey of Father Márlon Múcio, a man who, despite being afflicted by the rare and debilitating disease RTD, stands out not only for his longevity but, above all, for his unwavering faith. This condition, which consumes his body, has never been able to shake the strength of his spirit or his unbreakable determination. Amid the physical and spiritual pains that accompany him, Father Márlon decides to embark on a pilgrimage to Europe, driven by a single and noble goal: to seek the blessing of the Pope on behalf of the invisible and forgotten – those who, like him, suffer from rare diseases in Brazil, fighting silent and often solitary battles.
Accept it
Director/Writer: Giuseppe Catalano
Producers: Pasquale Morlando,Raffaele di Pietro
Country of Origin: Italy
Synopsis:
A boy, who recently saw his romantic relationship end, finds himself having to face the memories of it in front of a psychologist, who will help him overcome his drama.
Pretty Dead Girls
Director/Writer: Alex Southworth
Country of Origin: United States
Synopsis:
A popstar takes revenge on the hackers who leaked her personal photos.
The Art of Love - Super 8
Director/Writer/Producer: Bartosz Zieliński
Country of Origin: Poland
Synopsis:
Set on the shores of the Baltic Sea in Gdańsk, this short art film is a poetic fusion of Super 8 analog film and modern digital cinematography. Captured on Kodak 50D stock, it explores the beauty of raw emotion, memory, and visual texture. The piece highlights the authenticity of color and grain that only true film can offer, contrasted with the clarity of digital image. A contemplative, artistic expression of love, light, and atmosphere — where time slows down and every frame feels like a painting.
In the Shadows
Director/Writer/Producer: Alex Viegas
Country of Origin: Brazil
Synopsis:
“In The Shadows” is more than a song — it’s an experience. A journey through mystery, passion and destiny, brought to life with epic visuals and a profound narrative.
Psyche
Director/Writer: Daniel Marx
Producer: Fabio Linns
Country of Origin: Brazil
Synopsis:
Psyche dives into the mind of a man in denial of death. Unable to accept the loss, he begins conversing with the ghost of himself, reconstructing memories, dialoguing with his own guilt, and feeding an illusion that refuses to disappear. As the encounters become more frequent, his psychological disturbances surface, distorting the line between reality and delirium. In the end, the truth is revealed: he was already dead. A dense and intimate portrayal of the refusal to accept the end — even when the end is himself.
Rebirth
Director/Writer/Producer: Alex Viegas
Country of Origin: Brazil
Synopsis:
REBIRTH is a poetic and cinematic short film that invites audiences to reflect on rebirth—not just of Earth, but of humanity’s consciousness.
With a stunning backdrop of space and Earth seen from above, this 1-minute visual journey evokes emotion, wonder, and transformation. Something colossal approaches Earth with a quiet urgency, signaling a new era—a call to awaken.
A NOSSA HISTÓRIA DE AMOR (OUR LOVE STORY)
Director/Writer/Producer: ALISSON RESENDE
Country of Origin: Brazil
Synopsis:
Every year, Antônio writes a letter to his beloved in celebration of their wedding anniversary. Sitting on a wooden bench, words are spoken into the air, intertwining with the memories of a love once lived.
Dolores
Director/Writer/Producer: Edyta Niewinska
Country of Origin: Spain
Synopsis:
Dolores was mourning the loss of her partner for too long, according to her best friend Ana. But she doesn’t feel ready to start a new life yet. One unexpected night, one casual meeting, might help her to move on with her life.
13th Floor
Director/Writer: Vlad Gherghel
Producer:Patrick Shelffo
Country of Origin: United States
Synopsis:
When the gangster-parody leader of a college criminal band flunks a class, he and his friends must cover it up before his parents find out and transfer him to community college.
Distance
Director: Anita Yen
Composer:Christina Stepin
Country of Origin: Taiwan,United States
Synopsis:
A reflection on the many forms of distance, between lovers, in cities, between you and your home. How is distance defined, and how does it feel?
GIFT
Director/Writer/Producer: Lenka Zhang
Synopsis:
"Gift" is a 2D short animation that tells the story of a little bunny named Mike. After hearing a tale from his mother about a blessing from the rabbit god, Mike embarks on a journey to find his own "Gift." After several attempts, he becomes confused, falls into a trance, and loses himself, but ultimately awakens and finds clarity.
Hide Behind
Director: 胡 俊超 SUPER
Writer: 来 馨怡 COME
Producer: 贺 语晴 Nadia, 万 思思 Vitamin C
Country of Origin: China
Synopsis:
This film centers on the growth struggles of Duole, a primary school student. In a dysfunctional traditional family, his father—who runs a small shop—neglects the boy’s emotional needs, forcing Duole to resort to "stealing snacks" and "cheating" in a desperate bid for affection. These actions isolate him further, trapping him in loneliness like thief hiding in the shadows. The arrival of a stepmother disrupts the fragile father-son relationship, as she attempts to build a bridge of communication between them. Their family, much like a snail’s shell, serves as both a shelter and a burden: its members love yet endure each other. Though stumbling forward with difficulty, they cling to a sliver of hope.
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.