LUISA is in the feature film competition at the achtung berlin film festival 2026

LUISA is in the feature film competition at the achtung berlin film festival 2026

The screening dates:
Sat., April 18, 2026 | 3:00 p.m. | Babylon 1
Sun., April 19, 2026 | 5:30 p.m. | Babylon 2
Wed, April 22, 2026 | 20:45 | fsk cinema at Oranienplatz
After the second screening, there will be a panel discussion on Sunday at 7:30 p.m. with Jürgen Dusel – Federal Commissioner for the Affairs of People with Disabilities – director Julia Roesler and leading actress Celina Scharff on the topic of protection from violence.
Cinema release on April 23, 2026 distributed by Real Fiction.

Shower of awards for LUISA

Director Julia Roesler was able to accept two awards at the 39th Braunschweig International Film Festival (BIFF) last weekend: First, the “TILDA”, a €6,000 prize for a film by a female director, selected from eight international productions. And a little later the “Heimspiel Preis” worth €5,000 for the best film with a regional connection. At the same time, dramaturg Silke Merzhäuser was able to accept the audience award for LUISA at the “Ahrenshoop Film Nights”.

Less than four weeks ago, director Julia Roesler received the “New German Cinema Promotion Award” at the Hof Film Festival, while Thomas Rump received the Picture Art Promotion Award for the best production design.

Our feature film LUISA tells the story of 24-year-old Luisa, who lives in a group home for people with disabilities together with seven roommates. Unnoticed, Luisa becomes more and more quiet, everyday life in the living group continues until it is unexpectedly discovered that Luisa is pregnant. She doesn’t tell anyone what happened, she stays silent. Sexual abuse is suspected. The following investigations become a stress test for her, her boyfriend Anton and the entire staff of the residential facility. A drama. A true crime.