Genre
Synopsis
Based on the inspiring true story of Shella Condino.
In LIFT OFF we follow Shella, a brilliant young Filipina who has always dreamed of reaching the stars. Growing up in a country where women can't fly in the Air Force, she has her sights set on NASA. Fast forward to her early 20s, Shella is now a university physics professor, happily married to her childhood sweetheart, Darwin, and expecting their first child. Her life takes an unexpected turn when her long-forgotten application to the Teach Across America program is accepted, presenting her with a chance to pursue her dreams in the U.S. Relocating to the small desert town of Presidio, Texas, Shella faces disheartening living conditions and a challenging teaching environment. At Presidio High, she meets an unsupportive principal and a group of students with limited aspirations. Undeterred, Shella stumbles upon a school rocketry competition that could lead to her ultimate goal: a chance to work with NASA. With determination, she builds her first rocket from dollar store materials, igniting a spark of hope. Despite numerous setbacks and a lack of initial interest from her students, Shella’s passion for rocketry slowly draws in a diverse group of students—Valen, Dorinda, Marina, Bash, and Uriell—who come together in her after-school Rocketry Club. Shella's own struggles with her immigration status and her husband’s anxieties about their future add tension to her journey. As they prepare for the competition in Lubbock, the club members face their fears and rise to the challenge. Through teamwork and perseverance, they achieve a perfect rocket launch, showcasing their talent against wealthier competitors and breaking the barriers of their impoverished background. In a heartfelt climax, Shella confronts her past and inspires her students to dream big, culminating in a triumphant moment that could change their lives forever. LIFT OFF is an inspiring tale about resilience, the power of education, and the pursuit of one’s dreams against all odds.
Bio
Elaine is a native New York, Puerto Rican Director and multi-hyphenate Storyteller.Her awards include the HBO Latinx Director award, the LALIFF | LFI | Amazon-MGM works-in-progress independent feature post-production grant and from festivals including SXSW, Urbanworld, Seriesfest and more.
Elaine’s feature directorial debut is a genre dance-drama-thriller Tubi original, Midnight Hustle. Her second narrative feature, Brownsville Bred, which she wrote, produced and directed, is currently set to premiere in 2025. The YA drama is a gritty slice of Urban American Latina girlhood and Elaine's personal coming-of-age story. The story is adapted from Elaine's award-winning novel and Off-Broadway one-woman show. Elaine is a WarnerMedia 150 Artist, who has received funding from the NY Women in Media (NYFA) fund. She is a WGA Showrunner Academy alumna, Shondaland Director finalist and two-time Lynn Shelton and Imagen Impact award nominee.Her short films, Me 3.769 and Princess Cut, can be seen on Max.
As a Writer, across mediums, Elaine's original one-hour procedural drama pilot, The System, was bought by the CBS network; The New York Times hailed her off-Broadway stage play, "From Girlhood Trials to Onstage Triumph."
