Melbourne Lift-Off Film Festival

Learn more about the Lift-Off Global Network and how we support our filmmakers. Watch coverage from our festivals, see the interviews and engage with our live workshops directly from our YouTube Channel. Simply copy and paste this link into a separate tab: https://www.youtube.com/c/liftoffglobalnetwork

Melbourne Lift-Off 2020 is accepting more films than ever before. Due to the global pandemic, and the huge shift in audience behaviours we are no longer restricted by a venue's timetable. Please check our latest video where we explain exactly why we are using this situation to better serve the indie film community and your filmmaking aspirations: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K0gRScWfTr4

Melbourne Lift-Off is a film festival that aims to bring the best of indie film, animation and screenwriting to the Australian market. A city packed with diversity and a people buzzing with cultural appetite, being a part of Melbourne Lift-Off offers so much more.

Australia is a wonderful country, and where indie film stands, it is also the most welcoming. We invite you to submit to this great festival, and screen with us in this fantastic global city.

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/membership/

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 on your work. This includes your works premier status, it's age and/or whether your work has been made available online.

Overall Rating

Quality

Value

Communication

Hospitality

Networking

Charles Petrilla

I want to thank everyone associated with the Melbourne Lift-Off Film Festival, especially Lauren Macaree, who has shown me complete support and assistance after my script “SQUADRE” was Selected. It’s an honor I will treasure to be part of the Melbourne Lift-Off Film Festival! Thank you for the opportunity to submit again in 2020.

December 2019

Helpful
Rebekah Louisa Smith

The Lift Off Film Festival network is one of the most important group of festivals in the world. We love the care, attention and detail that goes into each Lift Off Festival and most importantly, our filmmakers always feel supported. Looking forward to another year of collaborating with the team :)

December 2019

Helpful

Add to List

Dates & Deadlines

October 26, 2020
Opening Date
January 4, 2021
Earlybird Deadline.
February 1, 2021
February Deadline.
March 1, 2021
March Deadline.
April 2, 2021
April Deadline.
May 31, 2021
May/June Deadline.
June 30, 2021
June/July Deadline.
August 2, 2021
Regular Deadline.
September 1, 2021
Late Deadline.
October 1, 2021
Final Deadline.
October 29, 2021
Decision Deadline.
November 8, 2021
Notification Date
November 21 – 28, 2021
Event Date

Categories & Fees

Film Extended Feedback - Includes Submission
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. They will also offer suggestions on where to submit to in future, and a clear indication on where to improve and how to get there. 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.
- Earlybird Deadline.
- Standard: $100
- Student: $70
- Gold Members: $90
- February Deadline.
- Standard: $100
- Student: $70
- Gold Members: $90
- March Deadline.
- Standard: $100
- Student: $70
- Gold Members: $90
- April Deadline.
- Standard: $100
- Student: $70
- Gold Members: $90
- May/June Deadline.
- Standard: $100
- Student: $70
- Gold Members: $90
- June/July Deadline.
- Standard: $100
- Student: $70
- Gold Members: $90
- Regular Deadline.
- Standard: $100
- Student: $70
- Gold Members: $90
- Late 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
Script Extended 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.
- Earlybird Deadline.
- Standard: $120
- Student: $100
- Gold Members: $108
- February Deadline.
- Standard: $120
- Student: $100
- Gold Members: $108
- March Deadline.
- Standard: $120
- Student: $100
- Gold Members: $108
- April Deadline.
- Standard: $120
- Student: $100
- Gold Members: $108
- May/June Deadline.
- Standard: $120
- Student: $100
- Gold Members: $108
- June/July Deadline.
- Standard: $120
- Student: $100
- Gold Members: $108
- Regular Deadline.
- Standard: $120
- Student: $100
- Gold Members: $108
- Late 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 Live Action Narratives
Live action narrative dramatic content. Films 40 minutes in length or more. Any genre - any nationality. No restrictions on premier status, online screening status or the age of the film.
- Earlybird Deadline.
- Standard: $25
- Student: $18
- Gold Members: $18
- February Deadline.
- Standard: $26
- Student: $19
- Gold Members: $19
- March Deadline.
- Standard: $27
- Student: $20
- Gold Members: $20
- April Deadline.
- Standard: $28
- Student: $20
- Gold Members: $20
- May/June Deadline.
- Standard: $5
- Student: $5
- Gold Members: $4.50
- June/July Deadline.
- Standard: $30
- Student: $22
- Gold Members: $22
- Regular Deadline.
- Standard: $33
- Student: $23
- Gold Members: $23
- Late Deadline.
- Standard: $35
- Student: $25
- Gold Members: $25
- Final Deadline.
- Standard: $38
- Student: $28
- Gold Members: $28
- Decision Deadline.
- Standard: $40
- Student: $30
- Gold Members: $30
Submit Now
Feature Length Documentary Films
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.
- Earlybird Deadline.
- Standard: $25
- Student: $18
- Gold Members: $18
- February Deadline.
- Standard: $26
- Student: $19
- Gold Members: $19
- March Deadline.
- Standard: $27
- Student: $20
- Gold Members: $20
- April Deadline.
- Standard: $28
- Student: $21
- Gold Members: $21
- May/June Deadline.
- Standard: $5
- Student: $5
- Gold Members: $4.50
- June/July Deadline.
- Standard: $30
- Student: $23
- Gold Members: $23
- Regular Deadline.
- Standard: $31
- Student: $24
- Gold Members: $24
- Late Deadline.
- Standard: $31
- Student: $25
- Gold Members: $25
- Final Deadline.
- Standard: $31
- Student: $26
- Gold Members: $26
- Decision Deadline.
- Standard: $40
- Student: $30
- Gold Members: $30
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.
- Earlybird Deadline.
- Standard: $25
- Student: $20
- Gold Members: $20
- February Deadline.
- Standard: $25
- Student: $20
- Gold Members: $20
- March Deadline.
- Standard: $25
- Student: $20
- Gold Members: $20
- April Deadline.
- Standard: $25
- Student: $20
- Gold Members: $20
- May/June Deadline.
- Standard: $5
- Student: $5
- Gold Members: $4.50
- June/July Deadline.
- Standard: $25
- Student: $20
- Gold Members: $20
- Regular Deadline.
- Standard: $25
- Student: $20
- Gold Members: $20
- Late Deadline.
- Standard: $25
- Student: $20
- Gold Members: $20
- Final Deadline.
- Standard: $25
- Student: $20
- Gold Members: $20
- Decision Deadline.
- Standard: $25
- Student: $20
- Gold Members: $20
Submit Now
Short Live Action Narratives
Short live action narrative based films of any genre, 40 minutes in length and below. Any premiere/screening status - no restrictions.
- Earlybird Deadline.
- Standard: $18
- Student: $13
- Gold Members: $13
- February Deadline.
- Standard: $19
- Student: $14
- Gold Members: $14
- March Deadline.
- Standard: $20
- Student: $15
- Gold Members: $15
- April Deadline.
- Standard: $21
- Student: $18
- Gold Members: $18
- May/June Deadline.
- Standard: $5
- Student: $4.50
- Gold Members: $4.50
- June/July Deadline.
- Standard: $25
- Student: $20
- Gold Members: $20
- Regular Deadline.
- Standard: $26
- Student: $23
- Gold Members: $23
- Late Deadline.
- Standard: $28
- Student: $25
- Gold Members: $25
- Final Deadline.
- Standard: $30
- Student: $26
- Gold Members: $26
- Decision Deadline.
- Standard: $38
- Student: $28
- Gold Members: $28
Submit Now
Short Documentaries
Short documentary films of any genre, 40 minutes in length and below. Any premiere/screening status - no restrictions.
- Earlybird Deadline.
- Standard: $18
- Student: $13
- Gold Members: $13
- February Deadline.
- Standard: $19
- Student: $14
- Gold Members: $14
- March Deadline.
- Standard: $20
- Student: $15
- Gold Members: $15
- April Deadline.
- Standard: $23
- Student: $18
- Gold Members: $18
- May/June Deadline.
- Standard: $5
- Student: $4.50
- Gold Members: $4.50
- June/July Deadline.
- Standard: $28
- Student: $23
- Gold Members: $23
- Regular Deadline.
- Standard: $30
- Student: $25
- Gold Members: $25
- Late Deadline.
- Standard: $33
- Student: $28
- Gold Members: $28
- Final Deadline.
- Standard: $35
- Student: $30
- Gold Members: $30
- Decision Deadline.
- Standard: $38
- Student: $28
- Gold Members: $28
Submit Now
Smartphone Films
Films where roughly 80% of the content was captured from a smartphone device. This includes any brand or model of phone camera/lens/rig.
- Earlybird Deadline.
- Standard: $15
- Student: $10
- Gold Members: $10
- February Deadline.
- Standard: $15
- Student: $10
- Gold Members: $10
- March Deadline.
- Standard: $15
- Student: $10
- Gold Members: $10
- April Deadline.
- Standard: $15
- Student: $10
- Gold Members: $10
- May/June Deadline.
- Standard: $5
- Student: $5
- Gold Members: $4.50
- June/July Deadline.
- Standard: $15
- Student: $10
- Gold Members: $10
- Regular Deadline.
- Standard: $15
- Student: $10
- Gold Members: $10
- Late Deadline.
- Standard: $15
- Student: $10
- Gold Members: $10
- Final Deadline.
- Standard: $15
- Student: $10
- Gold Members: $10
- Decision Deadline.
- Standard: $15
- Student: $10
- Gold Members: $10
Submit Now
Music Videos
Music Videos of any genre, 10 minutes in length and below. Any premier/screening status - no restrictions.
- Earlybird Deadline.
- Standard: $15
- Student: $10
- Gold Members: $10
- February Deadline.
- Standard: $15
- Student: $10
- Gold Members: $10
- March Deadline.
- Standard: $15
- Student: $10
- Gold Members: $10
- April Deadline.
- Standard: $15
- Student: $10
- Gold Members: $10
- May/June Deadline.
- Standard: $5
- Student: $5
- Gold Members: $4.50
- June/July Deadline.
- Standard: $15
- Student: $10
- Gold Members: $10
- Regular Deadline.
- Standard: $15
- Student: $10
- Gold Members: $10
- Late Deadline.
- Standard: $15
- Student: $10
- Gold Members: $10
- Final Deadline.
- Standard: $15
- Student: $10
- Gold Members: $10
- Decision Deadline.
- Standard: $15
- Student: $10
- Gold Members: $10
Submit Now
Feature Scripts and Screenplays
Scripts and screenplays 30 pages and above. .PDF Is the preferred file format.
- Earlybird Deadline.
- Standard: $25
- Student: $20
- Gold Members: $20
- February Deadline.
- Standard: $25
- Student: $20
- Gold Members: $20
- March Deadline.
- Standard: $26
- Student: $21
- Gold Members: $21
- April Deadline.
- Standard: $28
- Student: $22
- Gold Members: $22
- May/June Deadline.
- Standard: $5
- Student: $5
- Gold Members: $4.50
- June/July Deadline.
- Standard: $30
- Student: $25
- Gold Members: $25
- Regular Deadline.
- Standard: $33
- Student: $28
- Gold Members: $28
- Late Deadline.
- Standard: $35
- Student: $29
- Gold Members: $29
- Final Deadline.
- Standard: $38
- Student: $30
- Gold Members: $30
- Decision Deadline.
- Standard: $40
- Student: $30
- Gold Members: $30
Submit Now
Short Scripts and Screenplays
Scripts and screenplays 29 pages and below. .PDF Is the preferred file format.
- Earlybird Deadline.
- Standard: $20
- Student: $15
- Gold Members: $15
- February Deadline.
- Standard: $20
- Student: $18
- Gold Members: $18
- March Deadline.
- Standard: $25
- Student: $20
- Gold Members: $20
- April Deadline.
- Standard: $25
- Student: $20
- Gold Members: $20
- May/June Deadline.
- Standard: $5
- Student: $5
- Gold Members: $4.50
- June/July Deadline.
- Standard: $30
- Student: $25
- Gold Members: $25
- Regular Deadline.
- Standard: $30
- Student: $25
- Gold Members: $25
- Late Deadline.
- Standard: $30
- Student: $25
- Gold Members: $25
- Final Deadline.
- Standard: $30
- Student: $25
- Gold Members: $25
- Decision Deadline.
- Standard: $38
- Student: $28
- Gold Members: $28
Submit Now
Virtual Reality 360 Showcase
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.
- Earlybird Deadline.
- Standard: $30
- Student: $28
- Gold Members: $25
- February Deadline.
- Standard: $33
- Student: $30
- Gold Members: $28
- March Deadline.
- Standard: $35
- Student: $33
- Gold Members: $28
- April Deadline.
- Standard: $40
- Student: $38
- Gold Members: $30
- May/June Deadline.
- Standard: $5
- Student: $5
- Gold Members: $4.50
- June/July Deadline.
- Standard: $48
- Student: $45
- Gold Members: $38
- Regular Deadline.
- Standard: $50
- Student: $48
- Gold Members: $40
- Late Deadline.
- Standard: $53
- Student: $50
- Gold Members: $43
- Final Deadline.
- Standard: $53
- Student: $50
- Gold Members: $43
- Decision Deadline.
- Standard: $53
- Student: $50
- Gold Members: $43
Submit Now
Animations
Animations of any genre, style, or length.
- Earlybird Deadline.
- Standard: $30
- Student: $28
- Gold Members: $25
- February Deadline.
- Standard: $33
- Student: $30
- Gold Members: $28
- March Deadline.
- Standard: $35
- Student: $33
- Gold Members: $28
- April Deadline.
- Standard: $40
- Student: $38
- Gold Members: $30
- May/June Deadline.
- Standard: $5
- Student: $5
- Gold Members: $4.50
- June/July Deadline.
- Standard: $48
- Student: $45
- Gold Members: $38
- Regular Deadline.
- Standard: $50
- Student: $48
- Gold Members: $40
- Late Deadline.
- Standard: $53
- Student: $50
- Gold Members: $43
- Final Deadline.
- Standard: $53
- Student: $50
- Gold Members: $43
- Decision Deadline.
- Standard: $53
- Student: $50
- Gold Members: $43
Submit Now

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Charles Petrilla

Rebekah Louisa Smith