London Lift-Off Film Festival 2017

The Lift-Off Film Festival is back in London, promoting truly independent filmmaking, connecting filmmakers, and nurturing the latest and the greatest that the UK and the rest of the world has to offer.

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 filmmakers’ talent.

The Line-Up includes 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.

Feature Documentary "The Man who Loves to Hurt Himself" (dir. Anthony Short) is a fly-on-the-wall look into the life of musician Steve Austin. In his own words, he guides us through his world in a stream of consciousness which reveals an unexpected but extremely uplifting message about passion for art and love of life.

Our Trio of Featurettes includes "The Peculiar Abilities of Mr Maher" (dir. Paul Philipp), an intriguing German film set in East Germany, 1987. The special investigator Mahler is said to have paranormal abilities. The police assigns him to solve the case of the 6-year-old Henry Kiefer, who has been missing for weeks, before a dramatic discovery in the investigation leads to political tensions with the West.

The Local Filmmakers Showcase will screen the best of British indie film, including the UK/Iran co-production "Turquoise" (dir. Roozbeh Misaghi). In this film, the discovery of a mysterious black box which is rumoured to bring prosperity in a small remote village in Iran causes turmoil among the villagers.

The festival includes two Shorts Programmes, four Features, and a Trio of Featurettes, culminating with a Local Filmmakers Showcase and Networking Party.