Love is love… across genders and geography, communities and conflict, as five young films prove with verve and wonder – and a lot of (coming-of-age) love.

Between Grindr dates and raves, No Hard Feelings, Faraz Shariat’s Berlinale feature debut, delves into the queer Iranian-German underground. In the award-winning documentary Zuhur’s Daughters, Laurentia Genske and Robin Humboldt follow two young Syrian refugee transgender sisters make new lives in Berlin. German-Congolese love story Le Prince by (former Valeska Grisebach assistant) Lisa Bierwirth throws two people’s lives into post-colonial turmoil. Toubab, Florian Dietrich’s anti-racist buddy comedy, was lauded as “loud, funny and a handful.” Eline Gehring’s largely gender-neutral debut drama Nico let’s Nico, Rosa and Ronny float in and out of each other’s lives amid violence and secrets.

March 7, 6:30PM
NO HARD FEELINGS
 (Germany 2020, 1h23m)
By Faraz Shariat, with Benny Radjaipour, Banafshe Hourmazdi, Eidin Jalali
Co-presented with Inside Out

Parvis, the son of exiled Iranians, is caught shoplifting. He is sentenced to community service at a refugee shelter where he meets the siblings Banafshe and Amon, who have fled Iran. As a romantic attraction between Parvis and Amon grows, the fragile relationship between the three is put to the test.

Teddy Award Berlinale 2020
Best First Feature Award InsideOut 2020

They are fleeing impending deportation, but the images tell equally of being young in summer, of affection and community, of the future.” – INDIEKINO

March 7, 9PM
ZUHUR’S DAUGHTERS
 (Germany 2021, 1h29m)
By Laurentia Genske & Robin Humboldt
Co-presented with Inside Out, Toronto Arab Film & Hot Docs

A personal and interpersonal documentary exploring family and gender roles and identities. After escaping the war in Syria, a family learns to negotiate their new lives in Germany. But when the siblings begin to explore their transgender identities within their newfound freedom, their parents push back hard as they cling to strict religious and cultural traditions.

VIKTOR DOK.deutsch Award Dokfest Munich 2021

Full of small moments of happiness and disappointment. And it casually shows how diverse our society has become.” – KINO-ZEIT

March 9, 6:30PM
TOUBAB
 (Germany, Senegal 2021, 1h36m)
By Florian Dietrich, with Farba Dieng, Niklas Kleber, Julius Nitschkoff
Canadian premiere

After his release from prison, Babtou is looking forward to a fresh start: enjoy his freedom with his buddy Dennis and not have to deal with German authorities ever again. But when his spontaneous welcome party escalates, Babtou finds himself handcuffed yet again the same evening. He is confronted with unexpected dramatic news: due to repeated criminal offences he is to be deported to his “home country”, Senegal. But Babtou only knows Senegal from his father’s stories, he was born in Germany, his home is Frankfurt. In order to prevent the imminent deportation, Babtou and Dennis are willing to do anything.

Best Young Actor Bavarian Film Awards 2021
Best Feature Film Warsaw International Film Festival 2021

A thrillingly crafted surprise package with a damn cleverly told story.” – INDIEKINO

March 9, 9PM
LE PRINCE
 (Germany 2021, 2h05m)
By Lisa Bierwirth, with Ursula Strauss, Passi, Alex Brendemühl
With video introduction by actor Alex Brendemühl
Canadian premiere

When Monika, a curator in Frankfurt, unintentionally gets caught up in a raid near a bar, she makes the acquaintance of Congolese businessman Josef. Their encounter leads to a passionate love affair between two people whose lives could hardly be more different.

Best Actress German Film Critics Association Awards 2022

For her first feature-length film, director Bierwirth was inspired by her mother’s story. It is the story of a love that, while not impossible, is difficult.” – Filmdienst

March 14, 6:30PM
NICO
 (Germany 2021, 1h19m)
By Eline Gehring, with Sara Fazilat, Javeh Asefdjah, Sara Klimoska
Co-presented with Inside Out
Canadian premiere

Nico enjoys the summer in Berlin with her best friend Rosa until a racist attack pulls her out of her carefree everyday life. Traumatized by the crime, the nurse decides never to be a victim again and begins to train with a karate world champion.

Best Young Actress Bavarian Film Awards 2022 & Max Ophüls Festival 2021
Best Debut Feature Biberach Film Festival 2021

We are trying to create a reality not only in front of the camera, but also behind it, so that we are no longer just busy reacting to realities that others create for us.” – Eline Gehring

All with English subtitles; viewer discretion is advised.
Tickets $10 at TIFF online or day-of at in-person TIFF box office or by phone 1-888-258-8433

Your ticket includes access to in-person socials between the screenings. Join us and share your thoughts over a drink.

Details & raffles at goethe.de/Canada/GermanFilm

About the Author

Bryen Dunn is a freelance journalist with a focus on travel, lifestyle, entertainment and hospitality. He has an extensive portfolio of celebrity interviews with musicians, actors and other public personalities. He enjoys discovering delicious eats, tasting spirited treats, and being mesmerized by musical beats.