BAZA won Best Music Video at London Lift-Off in December and was also selected as a nominee for the #16 Season Awards, placing it among the festival’s highest-scoring projects. This recognition marks an exciting milestone for the film and a proud moment. Huge thanks to the Lift-Off team, the jury, and all those who supported BAZA on its journey. Congratulations to all the other winners.
BAZA, directed by Lewis Andrews, emerged as a standout entry in the latest edition of the London Lift-Off Film Festival. A bold fusion of sci-fi epic and drill culture set to music also produced by Andrews, the video secured exceptional feedback from the Lift-Off Global network round, earning near-perfect scores of 9/10 across several judging criteria.
The feedback from the festival jury was clear in its praise for Andrews’ technical execution and vision. According to the official network round report:
“What worked particularly well was the cinematography and world-building. The use of colour, texture, and space is striking, and the desert landscape feels vast, tactile, and purposeful.”
According to the jury, BAZA stands out for its ability to elevate the traditional music video format into a cinematic experience.
“It expands what a music video in this genre can be by embracing atmosphere, narrative detail, and a cinematic approach with confidence and precision.”
This high level of technical achievement was reflected in the final marking, with scores awarded by audiences, Lift-Off network members and the official jury. BAZA was awarded a consistent 9/10 across all judging categories. These included Direction, Cinematography, Production Value and Sound/Music.
BAZA represents a significant departure in how music videos are conceptualised, moving away from standard performance clips towards high-concept world-building. By combining the gritty, rhythmic energy of drill culture with the expansive visual language of a sci-fi epic, Andrews has created a hybrid piece that feels both futuristic and grounded.
The jury noted that this wasn’t merely cosmetic. Rather, the desert setting and cinematic scale served to amplify performer Richard Akam’s lyrical intensity. It’s perhaps this that resulted in high marks for originality.
Lift-Off Festival
The London Lift-Off Festival is widely regarded as one of the leading indie film festivals in Europe. Founded in 2010 with a call for entries that attracted over 750 films, it has since grown into a global institution for independent cinema, headquartered at the legendary Pinewood Studios. Its mission is to help launch the careers of filmmakers and propel their work into the global industry by connecting them directly with major film markets.
Over the years, it has established itself as a prestigious launchpad for emerging voices and true indie talent.
The festival is more than a screening series. It is also an ecosystem designed to help projects like BAZA gain the critical recognition and professional networking to move from independent production to international success. Being featured in this high-calibre environment is a significant achievement.
The impressive technical scores for Cinematography and Production Value are particularly noteworthy given the festival’s ties to Pinewood Studios, one of the most in-demand destinations for film production with a long history of international success.
Following in the footsteps of giants
The London Lift-Off Film Festival has already helped launch the careers of filmmakers and screenwriters who have subsequently achieved major success and international recognition. By achieving such high scores in the current circuit and attracting widespread attention, Lewis Frederick Andrews and BAZA are beginning to follow a path paved by several industry giants.
The festival has an impressive history of identifying talent and propelling projects toward some of the world’s most prestigious stages, including the BAFTAs and the Oscars.
Perhaps one of the most famous examples is the critically acclaimed film Boiling Point, a one-shot British drama starring renowned actor Stephen Graham. It started its journey on FilmFreeway, a digital submission platform where filmmakers apply to film festivals worldwide.
Originally produced as a short film, it was submitted to the London Lift-Off Film Festival in 2019, where it emerged as the festival’s standout winner, taking home the award for Best Short Film. It was eventually adapted into a BAFTA-nominated feature and a hit series for the BBC.
Another notable success story is the Oscar-winning short film The Silent Child. This project also started its trajectory within the Lift-Off community, winning Best Acting Ensemble at the Season Awards before going on to win the Academy Award for Best Live Action Short Film.
Cinematic calling card
By securing almost top marks, BAZA is keeping some impressive company. The festival jury specifically praised the video’s narrative detail, noting that it feels like a glimpse into a much larger universe.
Videos often serve as unofficial pilots or proofs of concept for larger cinematic works and Andrews’ work on BAZA serves as a powerful calling card, demonstrating readiness to handle the scale and complexity of longer-form storytelling.
With the momentum gained from the London Lift-Off circuit, more people are taking note of his original voice and ability to blend high-concept visuals with narrative depth.
