Australian independent cinema needs a louder voice on the global stage. The ratio between film-submission to screen of Australian film content with Lift-Off has always been staggeringly high. We love true-independent Australian film, which is why we are expanding from Sydney into Melbourne and making our Australian presence stronger than ever before.
We will be programming as much Australian content as possible and selecting against that a great collection of international content to match it. Yes, we are prioritising Aussie based professional and student filmmakers at Melbourne Lift-Off with a look to give them deserved international exposure, but Melbourne Lift-Off will also serve as a great place for international work to screen from all over the globe as well.
Working as a geographical extension of our already successful Sydney Lift-Off Film Festival, and happening only a week apart, Melbourne Lift-Off promises to be a hub of opportunity where future selections with Lift-Off, anywhere around the globe, is very much on the cards.
Like with all of our Lift-Off Showcases around the world, we have absolutely no screening restrictions this means that all genres, ages, type, previous screening situations - all are welcomed and considered.
Lift-Off is a thriving global community of artists and your association can be as big as you want it to be. From global screenings, distribution, PR support and production work - just from submitting to us alone you are opening yourself up to some genuine opportunities that lie ahead.
Submission to any of our festivals in 2018 entitles you to free entry to all of our 2018 festivals around the world! Your submission confirmation email will include a 100% discount code which you can use upon purchase of your festival attendance tickets.
The Lift-Off Film Festival Global Network is fast becoming a community within itself. Our prizes and awards stretch from the submission level, all the way through to our 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.
This is what all Lift-Off Film Festivals have to offer our submitters, high scoring films, official selections 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, online competition 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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❀ 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.
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At the festivals.
Shorts, Music Videos and New Media...inc Web Series.
❀ Short Film Prizes.Live Action Narrative and Documentaries. Official Selections at proceeding Lift-Off Film Festivals.
❀ Nominations Short Films. When short films screen at any Lift-Off Film Festival they are automatically open to receiving nominations for the Lift-Off Season Awards, held at the world famous Pinewood Studios in December.
Nominations for Shorts, Music Videos and New Media.
Best Short Live Action Narrative
Best Short Documentary
Best Short Animation
Best Music Video
Best Web Series
Best Director (open for shorts, features and new media)
Best Actor (open for shorts, features and new media)
Best Acting Ensemble (open for shorts, features and new media)
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Features. Live Action Narrative. Documentary.
❀ Feature Film Prizes. Live Action Narrative and Documentaries. Official Selection at the next proceeding Lift-Off Film Festival.
Nominations for Feature Films.
Best Feature Live Action Narrative
Best Feature Documentary
Best Feature Animation
Best Post Production
Best Art Direction
Best Hair and Make-up
Best Cinematography
Best Director (open for shorts, features and new media)
Best Actor (open for shorts, features and new media)
Best Acting Ensemble (open for shorts, features and new media)
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After the screenings and season awards.
Optional inclusion | Best of Collection Lift-Off On-Demand.
❀ Online VOD Distribution. Any film which is screened during the season at any Lift-Off Film Festival is invited to earn money by being part of Lift-Off's Best of Collection.
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Lift-Off Family Membership?
After all of the above you will be regarded as part of the Lift-Off Family for the years to come. We want you to continue to engage with us, and as we grow we will welcome select directors in helping us to build our own productions, projects, and hopefully join our jury and selection committee.