Sydney Lift-Off Film Festival

Have your project featured at the center of cinematic business in Australia, FOX Studios. The festival will be running for one week, celebrating the best of local and international talent - with the eye on taking the filmmakers showcased to the next level in their careers. Sydney Lift-Off Film Festival is an international showcase of truly independent cinema. Features, shorts, animations, and scripts from all over the world – no screening restrictions on premiere or screening/online status.

The Australian market has a strong hunger for local and international indie content which is why buyers and press will be invited to see experience your project first hand, in the best possible setting - it is Sydney Lift-Off’s mission to deliver you to the Australian film marketplace!

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 for 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

Marc Chicaud

Just very nice and usefull !! ;)

December 2019

Helpful
Matias Bolla

A great festival, with an amazing selection of quality short films from around the world. I was honoured to be able to screen my film in my home town of Sydney at Fox Studios. The opportunity for a Q&A after the session proved to be incredibly helpful for networking after the event as well. I would definitely recommend submitting to this festival especially because of the support they give you with the promotion of your film.

December 2019

Helpful
Alainna MacPherson

Great communication. I wish I could have gone to Sydney to experience first hand, maybe next year?! Thank you for the Top 5 script award!

December 2019

Helpful
Luke & Brando

Great festival. The quality of films was impressive and consistently so. We were honoured to play alongside such amazing films. Very supportive of the filmmakers and helping promote us.

December 2017

Helpful
Sean Bell

Such a great festival. I have been to a lot of festivals all over the world and this is one of the most organised, professionally run. They have it down to a real science. The venue (Dendy Newtown) was an excellent choice, the selection and variety of films was outstanding and the communication by the organisers was regular and concise. A truly great festival.

December 2016

Helpful

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Dates & Deadlines

October 1, 2019
Opening Date
November 20, 2019
Earlybird Deadline
December 18, 2019
December Deadline
January 15, 2020
January Deadline
March 9, 2020
March Deadline
April 8, 2020
April Deadline
June 10, 2020
June Deadline
July 8, 2020
July Deadline
August 5, 2020
Late Deadline
September 9, 2020
Final Deadline
October 14, 2020
Decision Deadline
November 4, 2020
Notification Date
November 23 – 27, 2020
Event Date

Categories & Fees

Lift-Off 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
- December Deadline
- Standard: $100
- Student: $70
- Gold Members: $90
- January 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
- June Deadline
- Standard: $100
- Student: $70
- Gold Members: $90
- July 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
Screenplay/ Teleplay 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
- December Deadline
- Standard: $120
- Student: $100
- Gold Members: $108
- January 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
- June Deadline
- Standard: $120
- Student: $100
- Gold Members: $108
- July 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
Judge Transparency Feedback - Includes Submission
An excellent opportunity for filmmakers looking to acquire a clearer insight into how festival judges perceive their film, and how they can prosper in the indie film industry. Scores and notes for your submission, written by our qualified in-house judging team, will be collated and sent directly to you. 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: $60
- Student: $50
- Gold Members: $54
- December Deadline
- Standard: $60
- Student: $50
- Gold Members: $54
- January Deadline
- Standard: $60
- Student: $50
- Gold Members: $54
- March Deadline
- Standard: $60
- Student: $50
- Gold Members: $54
- April Deadline
- Standard: $60
- Student: $50
- Gold Members: $54
- June Deadline
- Standard: $60
- Student: $50
- Gold Members: $54
- July Deadline
- Standard: $60
- Student: $50
- Gold Members: $54
- Late Deadline
- Standard: $60
- Student: $50
- Gold Members: $54
- Final Deadline
- Standard: $60
- Student: $50
- Gold Members: $54
- Decision Deadline
- Standard: $60
- Student: $50
- Gold Members: $54
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: $39
- Student: $38
- Gold Members: $33
- December Deadline
- Standard: $40
- Student: $39
- Gold Members: $35
- January Deadline
- Standard: $41
- Student: $40
- Gold Members: $36
- March Deadline
- Standard: $33
- Student: $20
- Gold Members: $29.70
- April Deadline
- Standard: $35
- Student: $23
- Gold Members: $31.50
- June Deadline
- Standard: $38
- Student: $25
- Gold Members: $34.20
- July Deadline
- Standard: $40
- Student: $28
- Gold Members: $36
- Late Deadline
- Standard: $40
- Student: $30
- Gold Members: $36
- Final Deadline
- Standard: $40
- Student: $33
- Gold Members: $36
- Decision Deadline
- Standard: $40
- Student: $35
- Gold Members: $36
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: $39
- Student: $38
- Gold Members: $33
- December Deadline
- Standard: $40
- Student: $39
- Gold Members: $35
- January Deadline
- Standard: $41
- Student: $40
- Gold Members: $36
- March Deadline
- Standard: $42
- Student: $41
- Gold Members: $37
- April Deadline
- Standard: $43
- Student: $42
- Gold Members: $38
- June Deadline
- Standard: $45
- Student: $43
- Gold Members: $40
- July Deadline
- Standard: $48
- Student: $46
- Gold Members: $43
- Late Deadline
- Standard: $50
- Student: $47
- Gold Members: $45
- Final Deadline
- Standard: $53
- Student: $48
- Gold Members: $47
- Decision Deadline
- Standard: $55
- Student: $50
- Gold Members: $48
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: $33
- Student: $30
- Gold Members: $28
- December Deadline
- Standard: $35
- Student: $33
- Gold Members: $28
- January Deadline
- Standard: $38
- Student: $35
- Gold Members: $28
- March Deadline
- Standard: $40
- Student: $38
- Gold Members: $30
- April Deadline
- Standard: $43
- Student: $40
- Gold Members: $33
- June Deadline
- Standard: $45
- Student: $43
- Gold Members: $35
- July Deadline
- Standard: $48
- Student: $45
- Gold Members: $38
- Late Deadline
- Standard: $50
- Student: $48
- Gold Members: $40
- Final Deadline
- Standard: $53
- Student: $48
- Gold Members: $40
- Decision Deadline
- Standard: $55
- Student: $50
- Gold Members: $45
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: $30
- Student: $28
- Gold Members: $25
- December Deadline
- Standard: $33
- Student: $30
- Gold Members: $28
- January Deadline
- Standard: $35
- Student: $33
- Gold Members: $28
- March Deadline
- Standard: $38
- Student: $35
- Gold Members: $28
- April Deadline
- Standard: $40
- Student: $38
- Gold Members: $30
- June Deadline
- Standard: $43
- Student: $40
- Gold Members: $33
- July Deadline
- Standard: $45
- Student: $43
- Gold Members: $35
- Late Deadline
- Standard: $48
- Student: $45
- Gold Members: $38
- Final Deadline
- Standard: $50
- Student: $48
- Gold Members: $40
- Decision Deadline
- Standard: $53
- Student: $50
- Gold Members: $43
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: $30
- Student: $28
- Gold Members: $25
- December Deadline
- Standard: $33
- Student: $3
- Gold Members: $28
- January Deadline
- Standard: $35
- Student: $33
- Gold Members: $28
- March Deadline
- Standard: $38
- Student: $35
- Gold Members: $28
- April Deadline
- Standard: $40
- Student: $38
- Gold Members: $30
- June Deadline
- Standard: $43
- Student: $40
- Gold Members: $33
- July Deadline
- Standard: $45
- Student: $43
- Gold Members: $35
- Late Deadline
- Standard: $48
- Student: $45
- Gold Members: $38
- Final Deadline
- Standard: $50
- Student: $48
- Gold Members: $40
- Decision Deadline
- Standard: $53
- Student: $50
- Gold Members: $43
Submit Now
Music Videos
Music Videos of any genre, 10 minutes in length and below. Any premier/screening status - no restrictions.
- Earlybird Deadline
- Standard: $10
- Student: $5
- Gold Members: $9
- December Deadline
- Standard: $10
- Student: $5
- Gold Members: $9
- January Deadline
- Standard: $10
- Student: $5
- Gold Members: $9
- March Deadline
- Standard: $15
- Student: $10
- Gold Members: $13.50
- April Deadline
- Standard: $15
- Student: $10
- Gold Members: $13.50
- June Deadline
- Standard: $15
- Student: $10
- Gold Members: $13.50
- July Deadline
- Standard: $15
- Student: $10
- Gold Members: $13.50
- Late Deadline
- Standard: $15
- Student: $10
- Gold Members: $13.50
- Final Deadline
- Standard: $15
- Student: $10
- Gold Members: $13.50
- Decision Deadline
- Standard: $15
- Student: $10
- Gold Members: $13.50
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: $10
- Student: $5
- Gold Members: $9
- December Deadline
- Standard: $10
- Student: $5
- Gold Members: $9
- January Deadline
- Standard: $10
- Student: $5
- Gold Members: $9
- March Deadline
- Standard: $15
- Student: $12
- Gold Members: $13.50
- April Deadline
- Standard: $15
- Student: $12
- Gold Members: $13.50
- June Deadline
- Standard: $15
- Student: $12
- Gold Members: $13.50
- July Deadline
- Standard: $15
- Student: $12
- Gold Members: $13.50
- Late Deadline
- Standard: $15
- Student: $12
- Gold Members: $13.50
- Final Deadline
- Standard: $15
- Student: $12
- Gold Members: $13.50
- Decision Deadline
- Standard: $15
- Student: $13
- Gold Members: $13.50
Submit Now
Short Scripts and Screenplays
Scripts and screenplays under 30 pages in length. .PDF Is the preferred file format.
- Earlybird Deadline
- Standard: $30
- Student: $28
- Gold Members: $25
- December Deadline
- Standard: $33
- Student: $30
- Gold Members: $28
- January Deadline
- Standard: $35
- Student: $33
- Gold Members: $28
- March Deadline
- Standard: $38
- Student: $35
- Gold Members: $28
- April Deadline
- Standard: $40
- Student: $38
- Gold Members: $30
- June Deadline
- Standard: $43
- Student: $40
- Gold Members: $33
- July Deadline
- Standard: $45
- Student: $43
- Gold Members: $35
- Late Deadline
- Standard: $48
- Student: $45
- Gold Members: $38
- Final Deadline
- Standard: $50
- Student: $48
- Gold Members: $40
- Decision Deadline
- Standard: $53
- Student: $50
- Gold Members: $43
Submit Now
Feature Scripts and Screenplays
Scripts and screenplays over 30 pages in length. .PDF Is the preferred file format.
- Earlybird Deadline
- Standard: $39
- Student: $38
- Gold Members: $33
- December Deadline
- Standard: $40
- Student: $39
- Gold Members: $35
- January Deadline
- Standard: $41
- Student: $40
- Gold Members: $36
- March Deadline
- Standard: $42
- Student: $41
- Gold Members: $37
- April Deadline
- Standard: $43
- Student: $42
- Gold Members: $38
- June Deadline
- Standard: $45
- Student: $43
- Gold Members: $40
- July Deadline
- Standard: $48
- Student: $46
- Gold Members: $43
- Late Deadline
- Standard: $50
- Student: $47
- Gold Members: $45
- Final Deadline
- Standard: $53
- Student: $48
- Gold Members: $47
- Decision Deadline
- Standard: $55
- Student: $50
- Gold Members: $48
Submit Now
Animations
Animations of any genre, style, or length.
- Earlybird Deadline
- Standard: $30
- Student: $28
- Gold Members: $25
- December Deadline
- Standard: $33
- Student: $30
- Gold Members: $28
- January Deadline
- Standard: $35
- Student: $33
- Gold Members: $28
- March Deadline
- Standard: $38
- Student: $35
- Gold Members: $28
- April Deadline
- Standard: $40
- Student: $38
- Gold Members: $30
- June Deadline
- Standard: $43
- Student: $40
- Gold Members: $33
- July Deadline
- Standard: $45
- Student: $43
- Gold Members: $35
- Late Deadline
- Standard: $48
- Student: $45
- Gold Members: $38
- Final Deadline
- Standard: $50
- Student: $48
- Gold Members: $40
- Decision Deadline
- Standard: $53
- Student: $50
- Gold Members: $43
Submit Now

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