Sydney Lift-Off 2026

Network Round Shorts

Monday, 28th September- Sunday, 11th October 2026

In The Trees Director: Andy Jadwiga LayClark

2. One More Photo

1. In The Trees

Director, Writer, Producer //Andy Jadwiga LayClark

Country of Origin // Australia

Synopsis //Blood, bones, war, violence, fish guts, wooden swords, this is the story of Sasha the Great and Rory the Brave. Two leaders of opposing forest fort gangs, whose relations so far have been exclusively on the battlefield, but now their mums are friends…After shared vulnerability and secrets exposed, Rory and Sasha bond over their shared interest in medieval warfare. This gets tricky once they return to their respective gangs and are forced to betray their newfound alliance. The story ends where it starts, on the battlefield, where Rory and Sasha learn that being friends doesn’t mean the sacrifice of their favourite interest, war.

2. FOXBODY

2. Full Moon, Baby!

Director, Writer // Nicholas Cornea

Producer// Aimee De Saint Laurent

Country of origin// New Zealand

Synopsis // When a paranoid young man becomes convinced his fiancée is secretly a werewolf, he risks destroying their relationship to uncover the truth before their wedding day.

2. CHAIN

3. Do It Like Gary

Director, Producer// Daniel Fletcher

Writer, Producer// Ryan Johnson

Country of Origin // Australia

Synopsis // Investment. What does that word really mean? – And how can a middle management employee pull off the biggest deal in history?

2. CHAIN

4. Under The Ice

Director// John Martin

Country of Origin //Canada, South Africa

Synopsis // Under The Ice follows a woman battling depression and alcoholism who sets out to reclaim her life through an extraordinary challenge: swimming beneath the ice of a frozen lake in Norway. Facing the brutal reality of extreme cold and the weight of her past, the attempt to break a Guinness World Record becomes more than a test of endurance—it becomes a fight for survival, resilience, and redemption.

2. CHAIN

5. Try It On

Director, Writer, Producer// Simon McCulloch

Country of Origin //Australia

Synopsis // Three couples detonate after revealing their personal apocalypse plans.

2. CHAIN

6. LOOKSMAXXXING

Director// Lucas Wilhelm

Writers//Silja Højmark, Joel Kock Nielsen, Isak Friis

Producer//Mads Nellemann Johansen

Country of Origin // Denmark

Synopsis //A young man, Silas, becomes increasingly obsessed with online “looksmaxxing” culture, the belief that one can optimize their physical appearance to achieve success and validation. After a failed date exposes his insecurity and distorted worldview, his fixation spirals into compulsive and self-destructive behavior. Isolated in his apartment, Silas obsessively follows extreme online advice, pushing his body beyond its limits in a desperate attempt to become “perfect.” Ultimately, his pursuit of physical perfection leads to a violent and tragic breakdown, blurring the line between self-improvement and self-destruction.

2. CHAIN

7. The Empty Box

Director, Writer, Producer// Stephen Cardelli

Producers// Monique Bryson, Ellin Williams

Country of Origin // Australia

Synopsis //After a messy divorce, a single mother struggles to start a new life. Whilst unpacking in an empty home, she comes upon a mysterious box containing nothing except a single note… ‘Don’t take too much.’
The box begins to gift her items she’s desperately needed giving her a glimmer of hope. Things take a dark turn, however, when she realises there’s a price that demands to be paid.
The Empty Box is a horror thriller film that highlights the dangers of greed and what on a physical and spiritual level we lose when we take too much.

Dink: Deconstructed Director: Maya Bienstock

2. CHAIN

8. Dink: Deconstructed

Director, Writer, Producer//Maya Bienstock

Producer// Emmie Duong

Country of Origin//Australia

Synopsis//Thrust into an alternate world of dancing spirits and sparkling brass, a jazz conductor must find his groove before the show comes to an end. ‘Dink: Deconstructed’ is an experimental music film, featuring Australian jazz band, Dink, where music, dance and synaesthesia unite to translate sound into movement.

2. CHAIN

9. DO IT WELL

Director, Writer, Producer// Pierre Gildenhuys

Country of Origin // Australia

Synopsis// Do It Well is a heartfelt exploration of connection through music. Following The Forever Party, a five-piece rock band, the film invites viewers into their world of camaraderie and creativity. Through intimate interviews and behind-the-scenes moments, each member reflects on what the others bring to the band, revealing a dynamic built on trust, humor, and shared passion. More than a music documentary, Do It Well is a love letter between friends, celebrating the beauty of collaboration and the joy of doing what you love, well.

HAVE A GREAT APOCALYPSE Director: Francois Theurel

2. CHAIN

10. HAVE A GREAT APOCALYPSE

Director, Writer, Prodcuer// Francois Theurel

Producer// Kirk Mihelakos

Country of Origin // Australia

Synopsis// It’s an end of the world… and Sean wants to write a book. He doesn’t know why or how, but he sure as hell wants to write the dang thing. However, a big question remains : what about ? HAVE A GREAT APOCALYPSE is available for theater screenings in 5.1, 7.1 and Dolby Atmos versions.

2. CHAIN

11. Prologue

Director, Writer, Producer// Ollie Skilton

Producer// Bella Thomsson

Country of Origin // New Zealand

Synopsis // James’s day spirals from the moment he walks through the school gates for afternoon pick-up. His youngest, Mikey, is given his final warning for violent behaviour, while Noah’s plea for takeout clashes with the reality of another pot-noodle dinner in their cramped motel room. ‘Prologue’ depicts James’s 24-hour struggle: parenting, a conflict at work, a housing crisis and the unexpected return of his sons’ elusive mother. At the end of the day, he just wants to give his kids something to smile about.

Rangerlu tuku pirra ngalypa warrarn (Rangers look after the desert 'healthy Country') Director: Salty Davenport

2. CHAIN

12. Rangerlu tuku pirra ngalypa warrarn (Rangers look after the desert ‘healthy Country’)

Director// Salty Davenport

Producer//Hammersley Productions, Indigenous Desert Alliance

Country of Origin //Australia

Synopsis //In November 2024, two Indigenous ranger teams set out on a 1,900-kilometre journey from the remote community of Bidyadanga in Western Australia to Uluru. Their destination: the largest gathering of Indigenous desert rangers in Australia — the Indigenous Desert Alliance Conference. Along the way, they were joined by 12 other ranger teams from across the Western Deserts.
What began as 20 rangers became a powerful convoy of over 90, arriving together in the heart of Australia.

Dazzling: A Timekeepers Tale Director: Jessica Gray

2. CHAIN

13. Dazzling: A Timekeepers Tale

Director, Writer // Jessica Gray

Country of Origin // United States

Synopsis //Daz, a young Timekeeper, sneaks out of class to explore Tempus, a world full of magic. He drags his best friend, Kesi, along for the adventure but they find themselves in serious trouble when Daz accidentally opens a portal to another world beyond anything he could imagine.

2. CHAIN

14. Paralysis

Director, Writer// William Michael Rhodes

Producer// Riley Patrick Maguire

Country of Origin // Australia

Synopsis //A young man’s challenges of living with bipolar while juggling his work life and relationship with his brother are made worse when a promising drug leaves him paralysed while driving.

2. CHAIN

15. The rise

Director, Writer, Producer// Scheanel Ness King

Producer// Anna Dooley

Country of Origin // United Kingdom

Synopsis //Teenager gets bullied and learns to box to defend himself and he overcomes the bullies and scares them away

Sydney Lift-Off 2026

Network Round Shorts

2. One More Photo

1. In The Trees

2. FOXBODY

2. Full Moon, Baby!

2. CHAIN

3. Do It Like Gary

2. CHAIN

4. Under The Ice

2. CHAIN

5. Try It On

2. CHAIN

6. LOOKSMAXXXING

2. CHAIN

7. The Empty Box

2. CHAIN

8. Dink: Deconstructed

2. CHAIN

9. DO IT WELL

2. CHAIN

10. HAVE A GREAT APOCALYPSE

2. CHAIN

11. Prologue

2. CHAIN

12. Rangerlu tuku pirra ngalypa warrarn (Rangers look after the desert ‘healthy Country’)

2. CHAIN

13. Dazzling: A Timekeepers Tale

2. CHAIN

14. Paralysis

2. CHAIN

15. The rise

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