The Austrian film Wenn du Angst hast nimmst du dein Herz in den Mund und lächelst, with the English title “If You Are Afraid You Put Your Heart Into Your Mouth And Smile”, directed by Marie Luise Lehner, will have its world premiere in the Forum section of the Berlinale 2025.

The film, which debuted in the C EU Soon section of MIA 2024, was produced by Katharina Posch for Nikolaus Geyrhalter Filmproduktion and marks Lehner’s directorial debut. It tells the story of Anna, a twelve-year-old girl navigating the challenges of middle school while facing personal and social struggles.

With a deaf mother and a sense of inadequacy that leads her to withdraw, Anna embarks on a journey of growth that challenges taboos around disability and family dynamics. The film delicately sheds light on the mother-daughter relationship while breaking down multiple stereotypes about disability.