A massive thank you to everyone who participated in the Tokyo Lift-Off Film Festival 2021. It's been absolutely 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 special well done to the following films...
Festival Winners
Best Film
(next screening with Lift-Off in Tokyo 2022)
Hypertension
Dir. Taito Kawata
Synopsis: Hypertension aka high blood pressure, rages like a forest fire through generations of a Senegalese family, causing a destructive underlying condition for a father and his son.
Best Film
(next screening with Lift-Off in Tokyo 2022)
The coming of spring
Dir. Ji Yang, Yixiao Jiang
Synopsis: When Doudou, a middle school student who has been living with her grandmother since childhood, experiences her first ever period, complex emotions began to stir. During this sensitive time, she gradually appreciates the rather conventional, oriental style of love and care from her grandmother, and the barriers between them start to melt away.
Best Film
(next screening with Lift-Off in Tokyo 2022)
Before the Typhoon Comes
Dir. Chen Yun
Synopsis: The father takes Chen to the beach, but unfortunately there’s a typhoon coming. Chen is determined to swim. In the choppy sea, Chen meets his himself in childhood and tries to have a reconciliation with him.
Best Film
(next screening with Lift-Off in Tokyo 2022)
Drowning
Dir. James Honeycutt
Synopsis: Yumi, a Japanese student, struggles to cope with the loss of her friend and an inattentive mother while juggling her last year of high school and romance.
Season Award Nominations
The Lift-Off Season Awards is an annual event which celebrates the very best of indie film. Following each Lift-Off film festival, films which 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.
Hypertension
Dir. Taito Kawata
Synopsis: Hypertension aka high blood pressure, rages like a forest fire through generations of a Senegalese family, causing a destructive underlying condition for a father and his son.
Nominated for Best Cinematography
Memories For Sale
Dir. Manuel Lopez
Synopsis: After his alcoholic father's death, a young man decides to sell the last memory of him - his taxi.
Nominated for Best Animation
Mambo Man
Dirs. Mo Fini & Edesio Alejandro
Synopsis: MAMBO MAN is the story of a Cuban farmer and music promoter who gambles everything on a deal that appears too good to be true!
With music by the Buena Vista Stars. Based on a true story and filmed in the exotic countryside outside Havana, this remarkable and engaging film will move both your spirit and your feet with its unforgettable passion and intoxicating music. The soundtrack and live performances in the film include some of the legendary Cuban artists who appeared in the box office smash, Buena Vista Social Club.
Nominated for Best Feature Live Action Narrative
The Sacred Woods
Dir. Abdallah chamekh
Synopsis: Many African villages in Ivory Coast are witnessing change over time, yet, "Latt", the spiritual master of the Boubouri village continues to adhere to teaching the customs and traditions of “the Celebration of the Generations.” His attempt to preserve his ancestors’ legacy takes place at a time when the youth of the village show indifference to these cultural practices.
Nominated for Best Feature Documentary
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.
Four Goddesses
Dir. Mark Cowan
Synopsis: A lighthearted day-in-the-life story of 4 goddesses enshrined in an abandoned Shinto shrine of nearby farming village, whose rapidly aging citizenry rarely visit. The goddesses long to avail themselves of their boredom driven infighting.
For Her
Dir. Valeria Riquelme
Synopsis: Jane struggles to write a story about rape but ends trapped in her emotions as she attempts to capture the impossible.
Breaking Ground
Dirs. Jake Villadolid
Synopsis: Post global annihilation, a recording device is sent back in time to uncover what happened. Upon arrival, the device is discovered by three estranged friends trying to reconnect on a camping trip. As the world falls apart around them, Caleb, Manny, and Lilah must come to terms with themselves and each other before the end.
La Flamme Rouge
Dirs. The Maze Brothers
Synopsis: One traumatic night unravels the life of retired cycling champ, Rick Van Pelt (Balthazar Getty). Driven by paranoia and a waning sense of self, he invites his friend and top rider, Isaac (Sebastian Quinn) for drinks and some target practice at his lake-house. A drunken Rick uses this opportunity to confront Isaac who he suspects is having an affair with his fiance, Valerie (Nicole LaLiberte). The night takes a sudden and unexpected violent turn.