Thank you to all the filmmakers who participated in the 2024 Tokyo Lift-Off Film Festival!
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.
The judges' scores have been combined with the audience's choices, and after careful scrutiny, it's our pleasure to announce the Tokyo Lift-Off Film Festival winners!
Winners: Tokyo Network Round Shorts
Out Of The Grey
Dir & Writer. Marta Baidek
Producers. George Fox & Marta Baidek
Country of Origin: United Kingdom
Genre: Sci Fi, Dystopian, Short
Synopsis:"Out of the grey" is sci-fi short film that tells the story of Laura, a pregnant environmental refugee who is forced to leave her haven in the hope to find medical support and safety for her unborn baby. The film touches on present day issues like the cost of living, global warming and the refugee crisis and is set in an inhospitable world.
Season Award #15 Shortlist: Best Short Live Action Narrative, Best Cinematography, Best Director
KAMIYAMA: The Little Town with Big Ideas
Dirs. Kohei Watanabe, Marco Lui
Writer. Marco Lui
Producers. Michael Peng, Kaichi Yokoyama, Ted Ko
Country of Origin: Japan
Genre: Documentary, Short
Synopsis:Kamiyama is a small town located deep in the Japanese mountains of Tokushima Prefecture, Shikoku Island. It faced challenges common to many rural Japanese towns — local industries were struggling due to declining domestic demand, and young people were leaving in search of better opportunities.
Through interviews with local business owners, artists, and entrepreneurs who contributed to its success story, "Kamiyama: The Little Town with Big Ideas" traces the town's trajectory and provides inspiration for others who want to cultivate a similar spirit of creativity and entrepreneurship in their own communities.
Season Award #15 Shortlist: Best Short Documentary
Innermost
Dir. Maing Caochong
Country of Origin: China
Genre: Animation, Short
Synopsis:The background of the stop-motion animation short film Innermost is set in the future featured by highly advanced technologies but collapsed society and civilization system. The cyberpunk-style science fiction world coexists fantastically with the traditional oriental martial arts world. The story follows the emotional entanglement between a long-lost chivalrous couple and a person with regenerated organs starting from a fight for a mystic magic lyre. From the perspective of what regeneration technologies are able of, the short film will arouse the audience to think of how the value of emotions can be magnified or dissolved.
Season Award #15 Shortlist: Best Animation, Best Post-Production
Let Me Out
Dir. Nolt Vutthisak
Country of Origin: United Kingdom
Genre: Short
Synopsis:With issues at hand, the girl fled to her family home. Old memories rushing back, something awaited her.
Season Award #15 Shortlist: Best Actor (Rudeerat Poolkeaw)
Chain
Dir. Esrael Alem
Writers. Esrael Alem, Nili Zadok
Producer. Dayo moshood
Country of Origin: Netherlands
Genre: Film noir, Thriller, Short
Synopsis:A young man’s new silver chain becomes a symbol of pride and status, but as the chain grows Inexplicably tighter it transforms from a luxurious accessory into a lethal snare leading to a tragic and ironic fate.
Season Award #15 Shortlist: Best Art Direction
First time
Dir. HIROAKi MIZUNO
Writer. TAIZO SHIODA
Producer. HIROAKi MIZUNO
Country of Origin: Japan
Genre: Short, Drama
Synopsis:Hajime is always at the mercy of his violent seniors. He is forced to drink and drive, causing a fatal accident. However, the beautiful girl he killed does not have a scratch on her, and she even likes Hajime?
Season Award #15 Shortlist: Best Acting Ensemble
long term care
Dir. Xie Zongmin
Country of Origin: Taiwan
Genre: Animation
Synopsis:Stories or thoughts about taking care of family members
Season Award #15 Shortlist: Best First-Time Filmmaker
La Vida Es Fria
Dir & Writer. Estevan Oriol
Producers. Richie Abbott, Estevan Oriol, Eve Mauro
Country of Origin: United States
Genre: Music Video
Synopsis:The story follows Jason, a struggling classic car mechanic and aspiring musician who is always overshadowed by his neighbor, Goober. However, after impressing the audience with his live performance, Jason finally earns the respect and admiration of Goober.
Season Award #15 Shortlist: Best Music Video
Winners: Tokyo Network Round Features
DEER GIRL
Dir. Francesco Jost
Writers. Francesco Jost, Marta Parlatore
Producer. Elda Guidinetti
Country of Origin: Switzerland
Genre: Feature, Drama
Synopsis:You are looking for Love! Rachele laughs at the stranger with whom she chats online. And she leads us to discover the only feeling she knows - the poisonous bond which unites her parents. In public they seem tenderly in love, but behind closed doors, it’s all possession fear submission pain. Rachele wants to be different, but can she really be so, when the only form of love she knows is violence?
Season Award #15 Shortlist: Best Feature Live Action Narrative
The Gardener
Dir, Writer & Producer. Derek Shimoda
Country of Origin: United States
Genre: Documentary, Feature
Synopsis:A whimsical immigrant forges a deep-rooted bond with nature when life gives him a bitter one.
Season Award #15 Shortlist: Best Feature Documentary
15th Annual Lift-Off Season Awards
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.