First-Time Filmmaker Online Sessions has been designed to be the entry into the Lift-Off Global Network. It is a monthly online showcase, dedicated to screening a collection of globally submitted indie shorts and features (of all genres) from new voices.

With startling data on declining audience figures for indie film, we decided to extend our resources to cater for an all-encompassing and welcoming platform where everyone can see the type of work and varying elements from as many projects as possible.

Lift-Off Sessions isn't about selecting the best possible shorts or features from the films that are submitted to us, it is about providing a screening opportunity for everyone. An opportunity we hope highlights and educates each and every month.

For you, the Lift-Off Sessions showcase is an invaluable opportunity to see lots of your contemporaries' work, while supporting indie film and its continued success.

On our YouTube Channel you'll find free content such as live workshops, interviews with our filmmakers, news updates and more. Just copy and paste this link into a separate tab: https://www.youtube.com/c/liftoffglobalnetwork

The first round of this festival is held online, via Vimeo On Demand. Guaranteed screening to all submitters for the first round. The finalists are then judged by professional reviewers who select their monthly winner.

The winning short film of each month's edition are screened at both our annual Sessions event at Pinewood Studios AND they form part of Los Angeles Lift-Off Film Festival screening at Raleigh Studios, Hollywood in the summer.

This festival is targeted to provide a platform to new voices in the indie world. Each film needs to be the first filmmaking project undertaken by a core production team member (director or producer) or the first project undertaken within 5 years of their previous project.

THE SOCIAL ROUND

Audience members are all invited to vote for their first and second favourite films on the page. These choices are weighted equally to remove bias. The top 5 voted films at the end of the festival week (the finalists) each receive FREE Intermediate Lift-Off membership.

THE INTERNAL JUDGING ROUND

The Lift-Off Judges pick their overall winning short and feature from the top voted films. The winning short from each month is screened at Pinewood Studios UK AND Raleigh Studios, Hollywood. The winning feature filmmakers are invited to an event at Pinewood where trailers are screened, followed by networking opportunities and industry demos.