The Lift-Off Film Festival is heading to New York

The Lift-Off Film Festival comes to New York, promoting truly independent filmmaking, connecting filmmakers and nurturing the latest and the greatest that the East Coast of America has to offer.

New York Lift-Off arrives for the first time to promote the latest and the greatest independent filmmaking talent from New York and beyond, as a part of their ten-city-wide global network of independent filmmakers.

It takes place from 19th to 21st June 2017.

Attendees can expect to be treated to screenings packed with challenging features, perspective-shifting documentaries and award-winning short films. The audience plays an integral role; their responses are collected via feedback cards, which are given to the filmmakers as part of the screening process that aims to develop and nurture the filmmaker’s talent.

UK based festival founders James Bradley and Ben Pohlman started the Lift-Off Network from small beginnings in 2011 with the first London Lift-Off Film Festival. Now in its seventh year, with ten host cities, they are delighted to be arriving in New York to connect with the filmmaking talent there.

James Bradley said, “getting into any Lift-Off Film Festival is a massive achievement. The world of independent film has grown so much over the years that many of the grass rooted filmmakers and emerging professionals are left without much of a platform any more. We felt that many of these artists who were producing exceptional work were being hugely ignored – and deserved to be seen!”

Ben Pohlman added, “our film festivals are the perfect place to meet up and coming filmmakers at various stages of their careers, from new to award-winning talent, as well as other industry professionals. Through the Lift-Off Film Festivals, we aim to build a community of talented filmmakers and film enthusiasts. We’re all people who love compelling storytelling and good cinema.”

The Line-Up:

These are eclectic stories, sometimes heartwarming sometimes thought provoking, all with a common theme – there is a burning story at their heart that shines through with the brilliance of the filmmaker’s talent.

“Game” (Dir. Jeannie Donohoe) After screening at Tokyo Lift-Off, Game received not one but three nominations for Best Actor, Best Short Live Action Narrative and Best Director at the Lift-Off Season Awards. “Game” screens as part of the local filmmaker showcase and networking party. This is a film not to be missed. A new kid shows up at the high school boys’ basketball tryouts and instantly makes an impression. Will talent and drive be enough to make the team?

“Enemies Within” (Dir. Sélim Azzazi) Screens with Lift-Off for the second time after receiving rave reviews from Manchester Lift-Off Film Festival. Enemies Within has also been nominated for Best Screen Play and Best Actor. In the 90’s during the Algerian civil war, terrorism reaches France. Two men. Two identities. One fight.

Adding another screening under it’s belt Danish feature, “Where the Windmills Are AKA Teenage Love Bomb” (Dir. Mads Erichsen) screens with Lift-Off once again after winning best feature at Tokyo Lift-Off. 7th grader Thomas lives in a small city in Denmark. He’s in love with the schools tough girl, Vikki and to get close to her, he has to help her and a gang of older boys blow up their teacher’s bike. The head of the gang is Vikki’s boyfriend.

There are three short film programmes – culminating in a local filmmaker screening and networking party on June 21st.