A massive thank you to everyone who participated in the Sydney Lift-Off Film Festival 2022. It's been fantastic having so many filmmakers involved and seeing the global support for true indie film...
The judges' votes have been counted and added to the audience's feedback. Huge congratulations to the filmmakers who screened with us! A particular well done to the following films...
Season Award Nominations
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 nominated and invited to attend the prestigious Lift-Off Season Awards, culminating at the end of the Lift-Off season. Click here for more information about the Lift-Off Season Awards.
Season Award Short Listed Films
Nightline
Dir. Robert Sedlacek
Synopsis:"A bittersweet tale around a live interview radio broadcast that changes the lives of several innocent people. After lying low in the USA for almost 20 years Radek makes a surprise visit to his home city of Prague. Tech savvy he manages to avoid revealing all forms of his identity and location to tell his story on a late night radio phone-in show hosted by ambitious young journalist Eva. Eva bends over backwards to accommodate him and becomes embroiled in his mission to track down a young mother called Eliska. Eva has no idea that she herself is part of his plot from an event two decades ago. Czech law gives a 20 year time limit for all crime, including murder. Detectives on the late shift hear the interview and start to build a case but they only have a few hours left before the crime is deemed unpunishable. A fierce struggle for time and justice begins."
Dandelion Child
Dir. Barney Allen
Synopsis: In 1960s Sydney suburbia, a young teen is burdened by the looming date of his confirmation into Catholicism.
Ghost Gear
Dir. Danielle Baynes
Synopsis: Filmed on Australia's remote Bruny Island in Tasmania, two fractured parents and their adventurous 8-year-old are haunted by a surprising discovery on a family holiday.
Love is a country
Dir. Gwenael Mulsant
Synopsis: What binds two human beings together? Love, tenderness, friends, projects? So many aspects that enrich the country in which Camille and Thomas live.
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.
Rock Bottom
Dir. Aaron John Falvey
Synopsis: An ageing boxer who refuses to quit has an honest conversation with his coach and trainer, but can they talk him round before his impending fight?
Marley, Someone
Dir. Ildiko Susany
Synopsis: Marley, a Eurasian actor, can’t seem to catch a break in the industry. Constantly typecast as Asian sex workers, ninjas, and geishas, she questions her identity and the direction her life is taking. When a Hollywood film about Japanese ronin starts shooting in Sydney, Marley is excited for her career and the future of POC representation! That is, until two white men are cast as leads. Through her female friendships and an unrequited relationship with one of the actors in the film, Marley must take the racism and sexism she encounters in the industry to reconcile with her identity and direct the movie of her life.
A GIFT (A PAIR OF SHOES FOR OUR TEACHER)
Dir. Muhammad Suaib
Synopsis: A student named Febi and her friends were ordered by their teacher to collect donations for their grieving friend. When the condolence money was collected, one of Dita's friends reminded her that they intended to buy shoes for their teacher. They had to buy a pair of shoes that day because the teacher's birthday was the day after. Dita boldly suggested using the donation money to buy shoes. Febi was being hesitant to determine the decision.
Dangerous Silence
Dir. Adeyinka Adetoyi
Synopsis: Lila, the 18-year-old , she works outside of school hours in prostitution to support herself in the shadow of poverty in Africa and is sexually exploited by two men in their 30s - Chiumbo and Gathee. Chiumbo is unstoppable, and exploits her with all his might without a conscience. Gathee, on the other hand, feels bad about himself and tries in every way to convince her to change jobs and is afraid to go out against Chiumbo. When he does this to his great sorrow, it's too late, and Lila is accidentally murdered by Chiumbo when Gathee tries to save her from him.