Coveted price: Mascha Schilinski goes to the Oscar race for Germany

The Berliner Mascha Schilinski goes into the race for the Oscar abroad with her drama “look into the sun”. Your film was selected as a German contribution, as German Films, the foreign representation of German film, announced in Munich. He prevailed against four other applicant films.

With its decision, the jury sends a formally experimental film into the race that was very well received by international criticism at this year’s film festival in Cannes. There had won the jury’s price “looking into the sun”.

The decision does not yet mean that Schilinski is actually nominated for an Oscar. This is finally decided in January.

Four women on a farm in the Altmark

Her film is about four young women who live on a farm in Altmark at different times. The Berliner Schilinski tells of domestic violence, repressed longings or inherited trauma who experience the four women.

The director made a poetic film told in pictures and does not follow any linear history. Memories and sensory impressions blur each other.

The stories of the four women are connected by recurring motifs and special sounds. The camera often remains in the perspective of the girls, looks through key holes or leaning doors.

Among other things, Hanna Hecken, Lea Drinda, Lena Urzendowsky and Laeni Geiseler play. The film was shot in Arendsee in the Altmark.

Schilinski: It is worth believing in the artistic vision

“Looking into the sun” is a work “of rare urgency, masterfully staged, poetic, universal, brave,” said the jury’s reason. Over a century, the film breeds the lives of four women who struggle against narrow, violence and social constraints.

Schilinski said: “In the name of the whole team, I would like to thank you for” looking into the sun “the great honor of being able to represent Germany at the Oscars.” The prize of the jury at this year’s Film Festival Cannes for your film stands for “that it is worth believing in your own artistic vision. And for remaining loyal to yourself – if you find the right companions.”

She continued: “We wish that the visibility of this film leads to film artists in Germany to meet more openness and support when they try to go new narrative paths.”

Preliminary stage before the nominations

This year the jury in Munich could quickly agree on its favorites. The choice of German contribution is only one of several preliminary stages. The shortlist for the category of the best international film will be announced on December 16.

The five nominated films are selected from this shortlist and announced on January 22, 2026. The 98th Oscar Awards will take place on Sunday, March 15, 2026 (local time, mez on Monday night).

Last year, the film “The Sowing of the Holy Fig tree” by the Iranian Mohammad Rasoulof was selected as the German Oscar contribution and later nominated as one of five candidates for the best international film. He went away empty-handed at this year’s Oscar award.