Little Trouble Girls

Little Trouble Girls () is a 2025 drama film directed by Urška Djukić, who co-wrote it with Maria Bohr. It follows introverted 16-year-old Lucija and her relationship with fellow student Ana-Marija.

The film had its world premiere at the Perspectives section of the 75th Berlin International Film Festival on 14 February 2025, where it was nominated for the Teddy Award and competed for the Best Feature Film Award. It was also selected as the Slovenian entry for the Best International Feature Film at the 98th Academy Awards, but it was not nominated.

Synopsis

Sixteen-year-old Lucija, a shy student at a Catholic school, joins the all-girls choir and befriends the charismatic Ana-Marija. During a retreat at a countryside convent, Lucija's attraction to a restoration worker creates tension with Ana-Marija and the choir. As she navigates her emerging sexuality, she begins to question her beliefs, causing conflict within the group.

Cast Jara Sofija Ostan as Lucija Mina Švajger as Ana Maria Saša Tabaković as Conductor Nataša Burger as Mother Staša Popović as Klara Mateja Strle as Uršula

Production

The Slovenia-Italy-Croatia-Serbia co-production is directed by Urška Djukić, co-written with Maria Bohr. It is produced by Jožko Rutar for SPOK Films, Miha Černec and David Cej for Staragara, and Katarina Prpić for Izazov 365. Co-producers include Radiotelevizija Slovenija, as well as Marina Gumzi for Nosorogi. The production is supported by the Slovenian Film Centre, Radiotelevizija Slovenija, the Italian Ministry of Culture’s Film Directorate, the Friuli-Venezia-Giulia Film Commission, Eurimages and the Croatian Audiovisual Centre. Principal photography commenced on 20 June 2023 in Cividale del Friuli in Italy with additional shooting in Ljubljana in Slovenia.

French company Sister Productions was associate producer on the film.

Release Little Trouble Girls had its world premiere on 14 February 2025, as part of the 75th Berlin International Film Festival, in Perspectives. The film competed in the International Narrative Competition section of the 24th Tribeca Film Festival and was screened on 5 June 2025. It was also part of Horizons section of the 59th Karlovy Vary International Film Festival, where it was screened from 5 July to 11 July 2025. In August it was showcased at the 31st Sarajevo Film Festival in 'In Focus' section. On 2 October 2025, it was presented in Vanguard section of 2025 Vancouver International Film Festival. It also made it to the 'Meeting Point' slate of the 70th Valladolid International Film Festival.

The film was screened in the International Panorama for its Quebec Premiere at the 2025 Festival du nouveau cinéma on 11 October 2025. It was screened in the Open Horizons at the Thessaloniki International Film Festival on 31 October 2025. It was also screened in Discovery section of the 2025 Stockholm International Film Festival on 7 November 2025. On 8 November 2025, it was presented in Visions of the East section of Arras Film Festival. It competed in the International competition section of the 56th International Film Festival of India in November 2025. The film competed in the Awards Buzz – Best International Feature Film section of the 37th Palm Springs International Film Festival on 4 January 2026. In January 2026, it will be presented in the Wild Roses section of the Trieste Film Festival, the section dedicated to the women directors of Central and Eastern Europe. Athens-based sales agent Heretic has acquired the international sales rights of the film in January 2025.

Reception

Writing in The Guardian, Peter Bradshaw gave Little Trouble Girls five stars out of five, calling it "an utterly absorbing and outstandingly acted film."

Accolades The film was selected in the newly formed Perspectives competition and competed for GWFF Best First Feature Award.

Award Date of ceremony Category Recipient Result Les Arcs Film Festival 18 December 2023 TitraFilm awardLittle Trouble Girls Berlin International Film Festival23 February 2025 GWFF Best First Feature Award Teddy Award for Best Short Films FIPRESCI Prize Tribeca Film Festival 12 June 2025 Best Cinematography Lev Predan Kowarski CinEast Film Festival 26 October 2025 Critics’ PrizeLittle Trouble Girls Festival of Slovenian Film26 October 2025 Best Feature Film Best Actress Jara Sofija Ostan Best Supporting Actress Mina Švajger Best Sound Design Julij Zornik Best Supporting Actor Saša Tabaković FIPRESCI Award Urška Djukić Euro-Balkan Film Festival 6 November 2025 Youth Jury Prizes - Feature Films: Best Director Urška Djukić International Film Festival of India28 November 2025 Golden Peacock Little Trouble Girls Les Arcs Film Festival 20 December 2025 Jury Grand Prize European Film Awards 17 January 2026 European Discovery – Prix FIPRESCI Tromsø International Film Festival 25 January 2026 Faith in Film Award

Little Trouble Girls

Bron en licentie