Many FABW alumni involved in the production
The feature film IN DIE SONNE SCHAUEN (SOUND OF FALLING) will compete for Germany in the “Best International Feature Film” category at the 98th Oscar® Awards. This was decided by an independent jury of experts appointed by German Films.
The screenplay for IN DIE SONNE SCHAUEN was written by director Mascha Schilinski together with Louise Peter during their studies at Filmakademie Baden-Württemberg. In addition to Schilinski and Peter, numerous other FABW alumni were involved in the production: Fabian Gamper (cinematography), Cosima Vellenzer (production design), Maike Kiefer (set decoration), and Claudio Demel (sound). In addition, Luzia Oppermann, a graduate of the neighbouring Academy of Performing Arts Baden-Württemberg (ADK), plays a leading role in the drama.
IN DIE SONNE SCHAUEN had its world premiere in May as the opening film of the competition at the Cannes Film Festival, where it was awarded the Prize of the Jury (ex aequo). The screenplay, which originally ran under the working title “The Doctor Says I'll Be Alright, But I'm Feelin Blue,” was awarded the Thomas Strittmatter Prize by MFG Medien- und Filmgesellschaft Baden-Württemberg in 2023.
The jury justified its choice as follows:
"IN DIE SONNE SCHAUEN is formally uncompromising, emotionally existential, and artistically unique—a solitaire in German and international cinema. Spanning over a century, the film interweaves the lives of four women who fight against confinement, violence, and social constraints. A work of rare urgency, masterfully staged, poetic, universal, courageous. IN DIE SONNE SCHAUEN is a physical experience that resonates and burns itself into the memory."
IN DIE SONNE SCHAUEN is Mascha Schilinski's second feature film after DIE TOCHTER (The Daughter) and her first feature film since graduating from FABW. The film is a Studio Zentral production in co-production with ZDF/Das Kleine Fernsehspiel and will be released in German cinemas by Neue Visionen on August 28, 2025. mk2 has taken over international sales.
The road to the Oscars®:
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences will publish a list of all titles submitted in the “Best International Feature Film” category in early November. Last year, 85 countries submitted films. The shortlist of 15 titles for this category will be announced on December 16, 2025. The five nominated films will be selected from this shortlist and announced on January 22, 2026. The Oscar® ceremony will take place on March 15, 2026.
*Louise Peter is a scholarship holder of th foundation Baden-Württemberg Stiftung and participated in an international partner programme as part of her studies at the FABW.
Source: German Films
Photo: Neue Visionen Filmverleih