A massive thank you to everyone who participated in the New York 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 New York 2022)
HELLO SUNSHINE
Dir. Joe Quint
Synopsis: Roz Pichardo is more than a domestic violence and gun violence survivor, she’s a warrior. Despite of – or because of – being thrown off a bridge by an abusive ex-boyfriend, the unsolved murder of her brother, and the suicide of her identical twin sister, she’s able to channel her trauma into service by helping the often-forgotten people of North Philadelphia.
Best Film
(next screening with Lift-Off in New York 2022)
Hinge
Dir. Gwendolyn Granger
Synopsis: Hinge is a short drama about Layla, an overworked artist in NYC, who comes home to find herself locked out of the apartment. Her husband is home— why is she still locked out?
Best Film
(next screening with Lift-Off in New York 2022)
Galileo
Dirs. Ryan Gentle, Austin Quarles
Synopsis: Alexander, a space-loving day dreamer hopes to pass that love on to his son Galileo. As he grows up, Galileo realizes he needs to break away from his father’s hope to find his own path, but his path is closer to his father’s dreams than he ever thought.
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.
IN THE WATER; BEHIND THE LENS
Dir. Johnny Gonzales
Synopsis: A film about water photographers and the dangers and challenges they face to get the shot seen in magazines and covers all over the world.
Nominated for Best Feature Documentary
The Imaginary State
Dir. Alan Fischer
Synopsis: Inspired by true events, the film tells the story of a Chilean man who travels to Sweden searching for the answer to a crime that involves his family. As he does so, he becomes a terrorist.
Nominated for Best Feature Live Action Narrative