Wenn du Angst hast nimmst du dein Herz in den Mund und lächelst

12-year-old Anna transfers to a high school in an upscale district of Vienna. There she faces all kinds of challenges – not least because she and her single, deaf mom are just getting by.
Austrian director Marie Luise Lehner’s debut follows outsiders of all ages and backgrounds as they navigate life’s ups and downs with remarkable lightness and humor. Through a tender lens, we see how love and friendship can transform shame into courage and even pride in being different.
Amplifying this tender approach, the soundtrack – handpicked by the director and screenwriter, herself a punk band veteran – brilliantly captures the mood and emotions of the protagonists.

No wonder this film has won numerous awards:
Berlinale 2025: Teddy Jury Award
Diagonale 2025: Thomas Pluch Screenplay Award
Crossing Europe: Best Young Talent Award