Sirens Call is a 2025 hybrid film combining documentary, Science fiction and road movie. The film is written and directed by Miri Ian Gossing, Lina Sieckmann in their directorial debut. The film depicts a nomadic siren journeys through a scattered Earth, navigating biography, identity, and belonging while challenging tensions between mythology and postmodern reality.
The film was selected in Forum at the 75th Berlin International Film Festival, where it had first screening on 14 February 2025. It is also selected for 39th Teddy Award, and will compete for Best Documentary Film.
Summary
Miri Ian Gossing and Lina Sieckmann’s debut feature film with a queer, feminist, and technoid aesthetic, challenges standardized norms, using its genre-blending style as a space for alternative ways of living. It explores the merfolk subculture through Una, a nomadic siren navigating a drought-stricken, postmodern world. Blending performance, fiction, and documentary, the film follows Una’s journey of self-discovery, from American diners to a road trip with Moth, set against Trump-era United States. Eventually, they join activist merpeople in Portland, reclaiming hybrid existence from consumerist culture.
Cast Gina Rønning Moth Rønning-Bötel Rei Spider Barnes Jason Bötel Mark Ginsberg
Production
Principal photography began on 4 November 2020 at location in Portland (Oregon), San Francisco & Las Vegas (California), Washington State, Utah, Idaho, Nevada, Hawaii, Cologne, and Hanover. Filming ended on 24 September 2022 in locations in Egypt and USA. Film was shot on 16mm camera.
Release
Sirens Call had its world premiere in the Forum section of the 75th Berlin International Film Festival on 14 February 2025.
In January 2025, Canada’s Syndicado acquired the international sales rights of the film.
Accolades
Award Date Category Recipient Result Berlin International Film Festival23 February 2025 Teddy Award for Best Short Films Sirens Call
References
External links
Sirens Call at Berlinale Sirens Call at Berlinale Projects