From March 13 to 27, 2026, NULPEN (“Slackers”) was screened as part of the SCHOOL CINEMA WEEKS in Bremen, Bavaria, Saxony, and Brandenburg—where it once again encountered a strikingly open and interested young audience. After the film had already opened the Berlin School Cinema Weeks in November 2025 at the sold-out Kino Toni, this positive reception continued in other federal states as well. This is no coincidence: Sorina Gajewski’s film uses keen observation and dry humor to depict a sense of life caught between stagnation and new beginnings, exploring friendship, feeling overwhelmed, and that elusive moment after graduation when everything seems possible yet nothing is certain.
The School Cinema Weeks are among the most important film education initiatives in Germany. They are organized by the Network for Film and Media Literacy VISION KINO gGmbH in cooperation with partners in all 16 federal states; the nationwide program is implemented with the support of the state ministries of education and cultural affairs as well as the film industry. The concept is deliberately designed to combine the cinema experience with educational outreach: school classes of all types and age groups attend screenings of selected films at discounted special prices, often supplemented by educational materials, film discussions, and moderated events. VISION KINO views the movie theater as the ideal place to make film tangible not only as a teaching tool but also as an artistic form and a shared cultural experience. It is precisely within this framework that NULPEN (“Slackers”) was able to make its special impact: as a contemporary film that does not merely illustrate the realities of young people’s lives, but takes them seriously with ease, precision, and openness.
The screening on March 26, 2026, in Eberswalde in Brandenburg was particularly impressive: In front of an audience of around 140 students, it became clear during the discussion that followed in the sold-out theater just how closely NULPEN connects with the real-life experiences of a young audience through its characters, tone, and themes. The screening was moderated by Emilia Pegler, a film and youth journalist with the Freie Generation Reporter:innen and a former member of the FBW Youth Jury. Also present was Rio Kirchner, who plays the role of Noah in the film. What began as a cautious conversation evolved into an open dialogue about the characters, the film’s atmosphere, and the questions that NULPEN raises without offering hasty answers. The event continued afterward at the autograph table, where numerous posters were signed and many personal conversations took place. The fact that the film resonates particularly strongly with young female viewers is also underscored by the award from the FBW Youth Film Jury (since 2026: BJF Youth Film Jury ), which rated NULPEN (“Slackers”) 4.5 out of 5 stars and recommended it for ages 13 and up. The event continued at the autograph table, where numerous posters were signed and many personal conversations took place.
UCM.ONE is bringing NULPEN (“Slackers”) to German theaters nationwide starting June 18, 2026 under the Darling Berlin label, distributed by CAMINO Filmverleih. Limited theatrical releases in Austria and Switzerland are also in the works. Starting as early as the beginning of June 2026, the film will be available for advance viewing as part of select previews featuring Q&A sessions in several German cities.
More information about the film: Nulpen
More information about the film label: Darling Berlin
