A massive thank you to everyone who participated in the Toronto 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 Toronto 2022)
A Lucid Dream
Dir. Li Yue
Synopsis: Memory eats into his dream. With the disappearance of that batch of wood which comes from the Southwest border, Li Guang, who is at the age of knowing destiny, realizes that this bizarre and motley reality is only built of the extension of memories. As for the kind of freedom he had been pursuing in that crazy age may never exist. After all, all he got in the end was only a siege of mind and body.
Best Film
(next screening with Lift-Off in Toronto 2022)
Give Time
Dir. Luis Oliva
Synopsis: Based on a true moment shared between lovers, "Give Time" tells the story of Alice, a young woman grieving the loss of her lover, Leo. As she returns home to her apartment, the place where their relationship began, past and present merge as she is unable to deal with the guilt of living past the one she loved. As she moves through the space, she eventually discovers that the only way forward is through allowing the pain to emerge and beginning the near impossible process of letting go.
Best Film
(next screening with Lift-Off in Toronto 2022)
Art & Life
Dir. Ethan Godel
Synopsis: In the midst of shooting the final scene of a terribly bland film, the world of the characters and the actors playing them begin to converge and unravel.
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.
A Lucid Dream
Dir. Li Yue
Synopsis: Memory eats into his dream. With the disappearance of that batch of wood which comes from the Southwest border, Li Guang, who is at the age of knowing destiny, realizes that this bizarre and motley reality is only built of the extension of memories. As for the kind of freedom he had been pursuing in that crazy age may never exist. After all, all he got in the end was only a siege of mind and body.
Nominated for Best Cinematography
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.
What Color Do You See As Blue
Dir. Reza Salsany
Synopsis: An Afghan refugee woman decides to adopt a Syrian orphan refugee girl where her past trauma conflicts with her today's life.
As a result of displacement 2 generations of refugees facing new challenges in order to utilize in a new life.
Oh, Brother
Dir. Pierce Csurgo
Synopsis: Two university students attempt to bury their anxieties through partying and MDMA, only to contend with the toxic masculinity that stops them from truly connecting.
I'M DETERMINED
Dir. Mohammad Faizan
Synopsis: A documentary that delves into the lives of children and young adults of determination and observes some of the positive aspects related to people of determination and at the same time raises a few questions that needs to be addressed.
I'm Sorry If I Took a Toll on You
Dir. Jake Burgess
Synopsis: After her parents death, newly orphaned Cath travels up north to her recently inherited lake house where she meets Ryan, a likeable man happy to fill the void her parents left.