back

Paternal Leave

Generation 14plus 2025
© Match Factory Productions, Wildside
Fifteen-year-old Leo has grown up in Germany without a father. When she discovers his identity, she immediately sets out to track him down. She finds Paolo in a boarded-up beach bar on the wintry coast of northern Italy. The reunion leaves Paolo overwhelmed and conflicted. After Leo’s sudden appearance in his life, he struggles to balance his relationship between her and the family he has now. At first, Leo just wants answers. But soon, she starts to long for a place in Paolo’s life. With no money nor plans, she stays on in the small town. As they spend more time together, Leo and Paolo tentatively begin to bond and discover they have much in common. But reality inevitably catches up with them. When Paolo prioritises his younger daughter over Leo again, the latter is left hurt and angry. A confrontation lays bare their pain, apparently shattering their fragile connection. But, amid the turmoil, father and daughter begin to acknowledge their respective truths and take a small but meaningful step towards acceptance.
by Alissa Jung (Director, Screenplay)
with Juli Grabenhenrich, Luca Marinelli, Arturo Gabbriellini, Joy Falletti Cardillo, Gaia Rinaldi Germany / Italy 2025 English, German, Italian 113' Colour World premiere | Debut film Rating R 12

With

  • Juli Grabenhenrich (Leo)
  • Luca Marinelli (Paolo)
  • Arturo Gabbriellini (Edoardo)
  • Joy Falletti Cardillo (Emilia)
  • Gaia Rinaldi (Valeria)

Crew

Director Alissa Jung
Screenplay Alissa Jung
Cinematography Carolina Steinbrecher
Editing Heike Parplies, David Maria Vogel
Sound Design Jörg Theil
Production Design Cristina Bartoletti
Producers Cécile Tollu-Polonowski, Michael Weber, Viola Fügen, Sonia Rovai
Executive Producers Mario Gianani, Lorenzo Gangarossa

World Sales

The Match Factory

Produced by

The Match Factory

Wildside

Photos

Alissa Jung

© Mirjam Knickriem

The director has acted on stage and in radio plays since she was a child. At the age of 16, she was discovered while appearing in a theatre play and has since built a successful acting career. In her mid-20s, she began directing short films, documentaries and youth theatre plays. After completing a medical degree and working as a paediatrician, she returned to the film industry in 2020 and studied screenwriting at the Drehbuchwerkstatt in Munich. Her short film Farah won the Goldener Spatz Award at the German Children’s Film Festival. Paternal Leave is her debut feature film as a director.

Filmography

2022 Die Mauer muss weg (The Wall Must Fall); short film 2023 Farah; short film 2025 Paternal Leave

Bio- & filmography as of Berlinale 2025