Los Angeles Lift-Off Film Festival

For ten years Los Angeles Lift-Off Film Festival has remained as one of the top emerging Hollywood Film events and professional showcases for blossoming talent - providing exceptional and genuine opportunity. Held at the beautiful screening rooms of the historic 'Raleigh Studios', in the beating heart of Hollywood: The only indie film competition which promises true global screening opportunities to its winners, open possibilities of representation, and direct links to global sales agents and distributors. All in a perfect setting of unparalleled exposure.

FREE SUBMISSIONS TO ALL LIFT-OFF FILM FESTIVALS WITH NETWORK MEMBERSHIP

Lift-Off Global Network invites you to join our Network Members' platform which will provide you with the resources you need to launch your filmmaking career.

Intermediate Membership is an annual subscription of $89, which entitles you to:

- Fee waivers to all Lift-Off Showcases (worth $300)
- Free tickets to Lift-Off Film Festivals and the Lift-Off Season Awards
- Career guidance from the Lift-Off co-founders
- The chance to apply for representation at international film markets including Cannes, EFM, and AFM

Our Professional Membership is an annual subscription of $189, everything Intermediate Membership offers you:

- Fee waivers across our entire festival network (worth $700)
- Access to an international film jobs database
- Access to scripts from our Network
- Upload your own scripts
- Access to a detailed 5-week production accelerator course

For more information please head to our website: https://liftoff.network

Our prizes and awards stretch from the submission level, all the way through to the Lift-Off Season Awards at the end of each year. We offer as much as possible to all who submit, our officially selected filmmakers, our nominees, and winners.

At the submission level.

Value for your submission fee. Exclusive content emailed to every submitter up-to 24hrs from the time of submission.

High scoring films. If your film scores high but isn't included in our final programme you will be invited to our Lift-Off Online Film Festival initiative, an online competitions which run parallel with the respective live city screenings - where the top two winners get official selections at either of the next two Lift-Off cities.

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The Lift-Off Season Awards

To celebrate and look back on the Lift-Off Season, Lift-Off host a prestigious awards ceremony called the Lift-Off Season Awards. The black tie event sees filmmakers, press, and industry professionals gather at the world-famous Lift-Off Season Awards for a night of awards, music, and networking.

Visit https://liftoff.network/season-awards/ to find out more.

Nominees are chosen after each Lift-Off Film Festival.
The categories:

Best Feature Live Action Narrative
Best Feature Documentary
Best Short Live Action Narrative
Best Short Documentary
Best Director
Best Acting Ensemble
Best Music Video
Best Animation
Best Art Direction
Best Cinematography
Best Post Production
Best Screenplay
Best Actor
Best First-Time Film

We can’t wait to see which films get nominated this year!

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Script Selections

The top 5 Screenplays will be showcased across the Community platform, featured in the Lift-Off newsletter which is sent to our 35,000 filmmakers, and shared across social media.

Screenwriters will be invited to include their work in our online Community portal. The portal is a curated database of quality scripts that are looking for production.

Lift-Off Community directors and producers are actively looking for projects to develop. They can use the portal to find their next potential projects, and contact the writers directly to discuss the optioning of scripts, development and rights.
All entries should be completed scripts, short or feature length, and you should be actively looking for collaboration or development.

We accept all films and scripts in any length or genre.
Digital online submission screeners only.
Feedback is sent shortly after the commencement of the festival.

Proudly, we have no other restrictions for your work. This includes your work's premiere status, its age and/or whether your work has been made available online.

Overall Rating

Quality

Value

Communication

Hospitality

Networking

Maylis Couturier

Thanks so much to the great Team at Lift-Off Film Festival, and our film SAFETY had its California Premiere there, received the Best Short Film award and got selected and awarded then at the Paris edition with a screening room packed !
Now it's selected at the Sydney Lift-Off in November and we're all very excited about it.

Natalie, Claire and all the team at Lift-Off is passionate, efficient and has a great communication and coordination.

November 2019

Helpful
Cesar Reyna

Unfortunately, I couldn't attend in person the festival but it seems a good place to network.

October 2019

Helpful
Diane Rozas

Lift-Off is a great festival for filmmakers. The intimacy of the screening room at Raleigh Studios allowed us to experience first hand responses as the film was being shown, and after, which made the showing a supportive and valuable experience as well. The organizers were fantastic, kept us totally informed, and offered amazing marketing materials for our film promotion and PR activities. We are so glad to be involved with Lift-Off. Big thanks to Natalie and her entire team for making our film Made In Venice part of this year’s Los Angeles Lift-Off festival. It was great meeting you all in person.

October 2019

Helpful
Adam Matalon

The entire experience has been a super fun, supportive and collaborative experience and I hope the first of many evenings with Lift-Off. The communication is FANTASTIC which make a huge change from the norm. The entire team I dealt with really does strive to create an environment of connectivity and value for filmmakers. They actually do what they say and follow through on the manifesto of the Lift-Off Global Network.

October 2019

Helpful
Piotr Szkopiak

Huge thanks for the fantastic support given to my screenplay Hell's Gate.

October 2019

Helpful

Add to List

Dates & Deadlines

September 2, 2019
Opening Date
October 7, 2019
Launch Deadline
November 14, 2019
November Deadline
December 18, 2019
December Deadline
January 15, 2020
January Deadline
February 5, 2020
February Deadline
April 13, 2020
April Deadline
May 11, 2020
May Deadline
June 15, 2020
June Deadline
July 8, 2020
Regular Deadline
August 5, 2020
Final Deadline
September 2, 2020
Decision Deadline
September 8, 2020
Notification Date
September 20 – 27, 2020
Event Date

Categories & Fees

Lift-Off Extended Feedback - Includes Submission
(Paid submissions only) - Submit via this option and get exclusive feedback on your work directly from the Lift-Off International Film Festival Co-Founders James Bradley and Ben Pohlman. They will share with you their thoughts on your work, along with any recommended suggestions for instant improvement, and grades that cover Originality / Creativity, Direction, Writing, Cinematography, Performances, Production Value, Pacing, Structure, Sound and Music. This is a great option for those willing to tackle some hard truths in their work, but also to gain any vital knowledge and confidence in pursing a long and strong career in film. Feedback is exclusive to those who pay for it, and fee waivers are not applicable. This includes fee waivers exclusive to Community Gold members; you must pay for feedback in order to receive it.
- Launch Deadline
- Standard: $100
- Student: $70
- Gold Members: $90
- November Deadline
- Standard: $100
- Student: $70
- Gold Members: $90
- December Deadline
- Standard: $100
- Student: $70
- Gold Members: $90
- January Deadline
- Standard: $100
- Student: $70
- Gold Members: $90
- February Deadline
- Standard: $100
- Student: $70
- Gold Members: $90
- April Deadline
- Standard: $100
- Student: $70
- Gold Members: $90
- May Deadline
- Standard: $100
- Student: $70
- Gold Members: $90
- June Deadline
- Standard: $100
- Student: $70
- Gold Members: $90
- Regular Deadline
- Standard: $100
- Student: $70
- Gold Members: $90
- Final Deadline
- Standard: $100
- Student: $70
- Gold Members: $90
- Decision Deadline
- Standard: $100
- Student: $70
- Gold Members: $90
Submit Now
Screenplay / Teleplay Extended Feedback Feedback - Includes Submission
You'll receive an in-depth script analysis covering elements such as character development, structure, and dialogue, by our qualified in-house judging team. These script coverages are an industry-standard procedure by production companies to acquire scripts, thus it will give you an excellent opportunity to get an insight into how professionals perceive your script, and how to develop your work for future drafts and agents and production houses. Including the submission, you will also receive an exclusive eBook which details the criteria for getting selected into a film festival. Feedback is exclusive to those who pay for it, and fee waivers are not applicable. This includes fee waivers exclusive to Community Gold members; you must pay for feedback in order to receive it.
- Launch Deadline
- Standard: $120
- Student: $100
- Gold Members: $108
- November Deadline
- Standard: $120
- Student: $100
- Gold Members: $108
- December Deadline
- Standard: $120
- Student: $100
- Gold Members: $108
- January Deadline
- Standard: $120
- Student: $100
- Gold Members: $108
- February Deadline
- Standard: $120
- Student: $100
- Gold Members: $108
- April Deadline
- Standard: $120
- Student: $100
- Gold Members: $108
- May Deadline
- Standard: $120
- Student: $100
- Gold Members: $108
- June Deadline
- Standard: $120
- Student: $100
- Gold Members: $108
- Regular Deadline
- Standard: $120
- Student: $100
- Gold Members: $108
- Final Deadline
- Standard: $120
- Student: $100
- Gold Members: $108
- Decision Deadline
- Standard: $120
- Student: $100
- Gold Members: $108
Submit Now
Feature Length Live Action Narratives
Feature films with live action dramatic content. Over 40 minutes in length. Any genre, any age, no restrictions on premier or online status.
- Launch Deadline
- Standard: $45
- Student: $40
- Gold Members: $35
- November Deadline
- Standard: $46
- Student: $40
- Gold Members: $36
- December Deadline
- Standard: $47
- Student: $40
- Gold Members: $37
- January Deadline
- Standard: $48
- Student: $41
- Gold Members: $38
- February Deadline
- Standard: $49
- Student: $42
- Gold Members: $39
- April Deadline
- Standard: $50
- Student: $43
- Gold Members: $40
- May Deadline
- Standard: $51
- Student: $46
- Gold Members: $43
- June Deadline
- Standard: $52
- Student: $47
- Gold Members: $45
- Regular Deadline
- Standard: $55
- Student: $48
- Gold Members: $47
- Final Deadline
- Standard: $58
- Student: $50
- Gold Members: $48
- Decision Deadline
- Standard: $63
- Student: $55
- Gold Members: $50
Submit Now
Documentary Features
Documentary feature films featuring real life documenting subject content. Over 40 minutes in length. Any genre, any age, no restrictions on premier or online status.
- Launch Deadline
- Standard: $45
- Student: $40
- Gold Members: $35
- November Deadline
- Standard: $46
- Student: $40
- Gold Members: $36
- December Deadline
- Standard: $47
- Student: $40
- Gold Members: $37
- January Deadline
- Standard: $48
- Student: $40
- Gold Members: $37
- February Deadline
- Standard: $49
- Student: $42
- Gold Members: $39
- April Deadline
- Standard: $50
- Student: $43
- Gold Members: $40
- May Deadline
- Standard: $51
- Student: $46
- Gold Members: $43
- June Deadline
- Standard: $52
- Student: $47
- Gold Members: $45
- Regular Deadline
- Standard: $55
- Student: $48
- Gold Members: $47
- Final Deadline
- Standard: $58
- Student: $50
- Gold Members: $48
- Decision Deadline
- Standard: $63
- Student: $55
- Gold Members: $50
Submit Now
Animated Features
Animated feature films where the majority of the footage is animated. Over 40 minutes in length. Any genre, any animation type/style, any age, no restrictions on premier or online status.
- Launch Deadline
- Standard: $45
- Student: $40
- Gold Members: $35
- November Deadline
- Standard: $46
- Student: $40
- Gold Members: $36
- December Deadline
- Standard: $47
- Student: $40
- Gold Members: $37
- January Deadline
- Standard: $48
- Student: $40
- Gold Members: $37
- February Deadline
- Standard: $49
- Student: $42
- Gold Members: $39
- April Deadline
- Standard: $50
- Student: $43
- Gold Members: $40
- May Deadline
- Standard: $51
- Student: $46
- Gold Members: $43
- June Deadline
- Standard: $52
- Student: $47
- Gold Members: $45
- Regular Deadline
- Standard: $55
- Student: $48
- Gold Members: $47
- Final Deadline
- Standard: $58
- Student: $48
- Gold Members: $47
- Decision Deadline
- Standard: $63
- Student: $55
- Gold Members: $50
Submit Now
Web Series
Web Series in any episode length, and episode count. We are happy to accept web series' from pilot to fully released online. Any premier and screening status considered - no restrictions.
- Launch Deadline
- Standard: $35
- Student: $30
- Gold Members: $30
- November Deadline
- Standard: $38
- Student: $30
- Gold Members: $30
- December Deadline
- Standard: $39
- Student: $30
- Gold Members: $30
- January Deadline
- Standard: $40
- Student: $35
- Gold Members: $30
- February Deadline
- Standard: $43
- Student: $38
- Gold Members: $30
- April Deadline
- Standard: $45
- Student: $40
- Gold Members: $33
- May Deadline
- Standard: $50
- Student: $43
- Gold Members: $35
- June Deadline
- Standard: $51
- Student: $45
- Gold Members: $38
- Regular Deadline
- Standard: $52
- Student: $48
- Gold Members: $40
- Final Deadline
- Standard: $55
- Student: $50
- Gold Members: $45
- Decision Deadline
- Standard: $58
- Student: $53
- Gold Members: $50
Submit Now
VR - 360 Virtual Reality Creative Content
All VR submissions are considered for the Lift-Off Season Awards at the end of the Lift-Off Season. The best VR films that get submitted throughout the year will be screened at Pinewood Studios in the UK to 200 industry professionals. For more information about the Lift-Off Season Awards, please get in touch or visit our website.
- Launch Deadline
- Standard: $35
- Student: $30
- Gold Members: $30
- November Deadline
- Standard: $38
- Student: $30
- Gold Members: $30
- December Deadline
- Standard: $39
- Student: $30
- Gold Members: $30
- January Deadline
- Standard: $40
- Student: $35
- Gold Members: $30
- February Deadline
- Standard: $43
- Student: $38
- Gold Members: $30
- April Deadline
- Standard: $45
- Student: $40
- Gold Members: $33
- May Deadline
- Standard: $50
- Student: $43
- Gold Members: $35
- June Deadline
- Standard: $51
- Student: $45
- Gold Members: $35
- Regular Deadline
- Standard: $52
- Student: $48
- Gold Members: $40
- Final Deadline
- Standard: $55
- Student: $50
- Gold Members: $45
- Decision Deadline
- Standard: $58
- Student: $53
- Gold Members: $50
Submit Now
Short Live Action Narratives
Short live action narrative based films of any genre, 40 minutes in length and below. Any premier/screening status - no restrictions.
- Launch Deadline
- Standard: $35
- Student: $30
- Gold Members: $30
- November Deadline
- Standard: $38
- Student: $30
- Gold Members: $30
- December Deadline
- Standard: $39
- Student: $30
- Gold Members: $30
- January Deadline
- Standard: $40
- Student: $35
- Gold Members: $30
- February Deadline
- Standard: $43
- Student: $38
- Gold Members: $30
- April Deadline
- Standard: $45
- Student: $40
- Gold Members: $33
- May Deadline
- Standard: $50
- Student: $43
- Gold Members: $35
- June Deadline
- Standard: $51
- Student: $45
- Gold Members: $38
- Regular Deadline
- Standard: $52
- Student: $48
- Gold Members: $40
- Final Deadline
- Standard: $55
- Student: $50
- Gold Members: $45
- Decision Deadline
- Standard: $58
- Student: $53
- Gold Members: $50
Submit Now
Short Documentary
Short documentary films of any genre, 40 minutes in length and below. Any premier/screening status - no restrictions.
- Launch Deadline
- Standard: $35
- Student: $30
- Gold Members: $30
- November Deadline
- Standard: $38
- Student: $30
- Gold Members: $30
- December Deadline
- Standard: $39
- Student: $30
- Gold Members: $30
- January Deadline
- Standard: $40
- Student: $35
- Gold Members: $30
- February Deadline
- Standard: $43
- Student: $38
- Gold Members: $30
- April Deadline
- Standard: $45
- Student: $40
- Gold Members: $33
- May Deadline
- Standard: $50
- Student: $43
- Gold Members: $35
- June Deadline
- Standard: $51
- Student: $45
- Gold Members: $38
- Regular Deadline
- Standard: $52
- Student: $48
- Gold Members: $40
- Final Deadline
- Standard: $55
- Student: $50
- Gold Members: $45
- Decision Deadline
- Standard: $58
- Student: $53
- Gold Members: $50
Submit Now
Short Animations
Short animated films of any genre and style - 40 minutes in length and below. Any premier/screening status - no restrictions.
- Launch Deadline
- Standard: $35
- Student: $30
- Gold Members: $30
- November Deadline
- Standard: $38
- Student: $30
- Gold Members: $30
- December Deadline
- Standard: $39
- Student: $30
- Gold Members: $30
- January Deadline
- Standard: $40
- Student: $35
- Gold Members: $30
- February Deadline
- Standard: $43
- Student: $38
- Gold Members: $30
- April Deadline
- Standard: $45
- Student: $40
- Gold Members: $33
- May Deadline
- Standard: $50
- Student: $43
- Gold Members: $35
- June Deadline
- Standard: $51
- Student: $45
- Gold Members: $38
- Regular Deadline
- Standard: $52
- Student: $48
- Gold Members: $40
- Final Deadline
- Standard: $55
- Student: $50
- Gold Members: $45
- Decision Deadline
- Standard: $58
- Student: $53
- Gold Members: $50
Submit Now
Music Videos
Music Videos of any genre, 10 minutes in length and below. Any premier/screening status - no restrictions.
- Launch Deadline
- Standard: $35
- Student: $30
- Gold Members: $30
- November Deadline
- Standard: $38
- Student: $30
- Gold Members: $30
- December Deadline
- Standard: $39
- Student: $30
- Gold Members: $30
- January Deadline
- Standard: $40
- Student: $35
- Gold Members: $30
- February Deadline
- Standard: $43
- Student: $38
- Gold Members: $30
- April Deadline
- Standard: $45
- Student: $40
- Gold Members: $33
- May Deadline
- Standard: $50
- Student: $43
- Gold Members: $35
- June Deadline
- Standard: $51
- Student: $45
- Gold Members: $38
- Regular Deadline
- Standard: $52
- Student: $48
- Gold Members: $40
- Final Deadline
- Standard: $55
- Student: $50
- Gold Members: $45
- Decision Deadline
- Standard: $58
- Student: $53
- Gold Members: $50
Submit Now
Smartphone Films
Films shot using only a smartphone device. Any genre, any length and below. Any premier/screening status - no restrictions.
- Launch Deadline
- Standard: $35
- Student: $30
- Gold Members: $30
- November Deadline
- Standard: $38
- Student: $30
- Gold Members: $30
- December Deadline
- Standard: $39
- Student: $30
- Gold Members: $30
- January Deadline
- Standard: $40
- Student: $35
- Gold Members: $30
- February Deadline
- Standard: $43
- Student: $38
- Gold Members: $30
- April Deadline
- Standard: $45
- Student: $40
- Gold Members: $33
- May Deadline
- Standard: $50
- Student: $43
- Gold Members: $35
- June Deadline
- Standard: $51
- Student: $45
- Gold Members: $38
- Regular Deadline
- Standard: $52
- Student: $48
- Gold Members: $40
- Final Deadline
- Standard: $55
- Student: $50
- Gold Members: $45
- Decision Deadline
- Standard: $58
- Student: $53
- Gold Members: $50
Submit Now
Feature Scripts & Screenplays
Scripts can include any narrative-based piece. This includes TV Shows, Films, Web Series. Must be over 30 pages in length and can be of any genre.
- Launch Deadline
- Standard: $45
- Student: $40
- Gold Members: $35
- November Deadline
- Standard: $46
- Student: $40
- Gold Members: $36
- December Deadline
- Standard: $47
- Student: $40
- Gold Members: $37
- January Deadline
- Standard: $48
- Student: $40
- Gold Members: $37
- February Deadline
- Standard: $49
- Student: $42
- Gold Members: $39
- April Deadline
- Standard: $50
- Student: $43
- Gold Members: $40
- May Deadline
- Standard: $51
- Student: $46
- Gold Members: $43
- June Deadline
- Standard: $52
- Student: $47
- Gold Members: $45
- Regular Deadline
- Standard: $55
- Student: $48
- Gold Members: $47
- Final Deadline
- Standard: $58
- Student: $50
- Gold Members: $48
- Decision Deadline
- Standard: $63
- Student: $55
- Gold Members: $50
Submit Now
Short Scripts & Screenplays
Scripts can include any narrative-based piece. This includes TV Shows, Films, Web Series. Must be under 30 pages in length and can be of any genre.
- Launch Deadline
- Standard: $35
- Student: $30
- Gold Members: $30
- November Deadline
- Standard: $38
- Student: $30
- Gold Members: $30
- December Deadline
- Standard: $39
- Student: $30
- Gold Members: $30
- January Deadline
- Standard: $40
- Student: $35
- Gold Members: $30
- February Deadline
- Standard: $43
- Student: $38
- Gold Members: $30
- April Deadline
- Standard: $45
- Student: $40
- Gold Members: $33
- May Deadline
- Standard: $50
- Student: $43
- Gold Members: $35
- June Deadline
- Standard: $51
- Student: $45
- Gold Members: $38
- Regular Deadline
- Standard: $52
- Student: $48
- Gold Members: $40
- Final Deadline
- Standard: $55
- Student: $50
- Gold Members: $45
- Decision Deadline
- Standard: $58
- Student: $53
- Gold Members: $50
Submit Now

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Maylis Couturier

Cesar Reyna

Diane Rozas

Adam Matalon

Piotr Szkopiak