The feature film “Nulpen” (international title: “Slackers”) produced by the German Film and Television Academy Berlin (DFFB) [production: Sabrina Holzapfel] and directed by Sorina Gajewski (screenplay and direction) has been acquired by UCM.ONE for theatrical distribution and world sales. The highly acclaimed coming-of-age comedy about two young women who embark on an aimless journey through the Berlin summer after graduating from high school tells with lightness and poetic power about friendship, disorientation, and growing up in a world between the desire for freedom and the climate crisis. With “Nulpen,” UCM.ONE continues its long-standing collaboration with the German Film and Television Academy Berlin (DFFB) in the evaluation of outstanding works by young filmmakers. UCM.ONE is expected to release the film in German cinemas on its independent label Darling Berlin at the end of 2025.
Synopsis
A stone hits a window, a bird flies away—and with it, two young women begin to run away: from responsibility, from reality, and perhaps also, to some extent, from themselves.
Ramona and Nico, recent high school graduates, drift aimlessly through the Berlin summer. While others make plans for the future, they let themselves be carried away by the heat, the gravity of the big city, and their own lethargy. Two “losers,” as they call themselves – with a penchant for rebellion, escape, and refusal. When they free a neighbor’s rare bird and Ramona’s little brother gets lost at a climate protest, their aimless inertia turns into a fleeting movement.
A road movie begins – but on foot, in the middle of Berlin. Without a map, without a destination, but with a growing sense that they are traveling in a world that demands a stance. On their quest, they encounter not only themselves, but also moments of quiet poetry and social friction. In a time between recklessness and climate anxiety, between political slogans and private speechlessness, Nulpen feels its way into a fragile present.
Director Sorina Gajewski tells with subtle humor and a light touch about a friendship that is faltering—and about the hesitation of a generation that knows exactly what is at stake but does not yet know how to face it.
“Nulpen” was developed and produced as part of Sorina Gajewski‘s film directing studies at the German Film and Television Academy Berlin (DFFB). It is her first feature film. The project was produced by Sabrina Holzapfel, also a graduate of the DFFB. The film was made as a DFFB production. During filming, principles of green producing were applied. These included measures to reduce resource consumption, minimize transport, use technology consciously, and provide vegetarian catering. The film was shot at various original locations in Berlin. The film production was part of a DFFB initiative to integrate environmentally sustainable production methods into the training program (“Green Producing”).
Festival participation and awards
-
Max Ophüls Preis 2025, Saarbrücken, Deutschland:
Nominierung im Wettbewerb Spielfilm -
achtung berlin – new berlin film award 2025, Berlin, Deutschland:
Besondere Erwähnung – Bestes Drehbuch -
Neisse Filmfestival 2025, Großhennersdorf, Deutschland:
Lobende Erwähnung in der Kategorie Spielfilm -
Goldener Spatz 2025, Gera & Erfurt, Deutschland:
Preis für Bestes Drehbuch (in Zusammenarbeit mit MDR)
-
Crossing Europe Filmfestival 2025, Linz, Österreich:
Offizielle Auswahl – Wettbewerb Fiction -
Zlín Film Festival 2025, Zlín, Tschechien:
Offizielle Auswahl – Internationaler Jugendfilm -
Giffoni Film Festival 2025, Giffoni Valle Piana, Italien:
Offizielle Auswahl – Generation +16 -
Buster Film Festival 2025, Kopenhagen, Dänemark:
Offizielle Auswahl – Jugendfilmwettbewerb
About Sorina Gajewski
Sorina Gajewski was born in Hamburg in 1994. After studying screenwriting at the CIEVYC (Centro de Investigación y Experimentación en Video y Cine) film school in Buenos Aires, she began studying directing at the German Film and Television Academy Berlin (DFFB) in 2018.
Her work deals with themes such as youth, family, social justice, and feminist perspectives. Her artistic focus is on stories with social relevance, often told from a female or youthful perspective.
She previously made several short and medium-length films, including “Stürzende Blüten” (2023), “Das ist das letzte Mal…” (2022), and the documentary “First Taste” (2024).
Filmography
2025 Nulpen – feature film, 75 minutes
2024 First Taste – documentary film, approx. 30 minutes
2023 Stürzende Blüten – short film, approx. 9 minutes
2022 Das ist das letzte Mal… – short feature film, 20 minutes
Data from the movie zum
| Title: |
Nulpen (engl. Titel “Slackers”)
|
| Director: | Sorina Gajewski |
| Screenplay: | Sorina Gajewski |
| Producer: | Sabrina Holzapfel |
| Cast: | Bella Lochmann (Ramona), Pola Geiger (Nico), Rio Kirchner (Noah), Carl Bagnar (Matze), Katrine Eichberger (Sybille), Eva Medusa Gühne (Mojo), Cleo Holder (Lilia), Lara-Sophie Milagro (Pfarrerin Eazy Jannek), Marc Philipps (Günter), Marisa Wojtkowiak (Li), Bärbel Tech (Magierin), Laura Zemke (Regieassistentin) |
| Country: | Germany |
| Year of production: | 2025 |
| Running time: | 75 minutes |
| Languages: | German , English (subs) |
| Technical specs: | Aspect ratio 1:1,85, Framerate: 24fps, audio: 5.1 Surround, DCP 2K / mp4 |
| Rating: | tba |
| World premiere: | 21.01.2025 – Filmfestival Max Ophüls Preis 2025, Saarbrücken, Germany |
| Theatrical release: | tba |
Director’s commentary by Sorina Gajewski
“Our protagonists, two young women from different social classes, navigate the overwhelming expectations of saving the world while striving for freedom and self-determination. In a collage of Berlin residents, they undergo a subtle development—from indifference to a spark of hope and responsibility. Our film counters the gravity of the future with a large dose of friendship and offers an emotional response to climate crisis anxiety. It is a plea for belief in a better future without losing the humor and lightness of life.”
“NULPEN is a film about the longing for lightness in a world full of uncertainty.”
More information about the label: Darling Berlin
