Winners

Eleven-year-old Mona is out of her league. A new student at a chaotic school in Berlin’s working-class Wedding neighborhood, she hardly speaks German, she is bullied relentlessly, she misses her dear Aunt Helin back home in Syria, and—worst of all—she can’t play soccer. That is, until her teacher Mr. Chepovsky recognizes her talent and encourages her to join the girls’ soccer team. With an intermural tournament fast approaching, Mona and her teammates need to learn to set aside their differences, work together, and find common ground using the one language they all understand. 

Through the eyes of its bold protagonist, director Soleen Yusef’s second film offers an energetic and compassionate look at immigrant and city kids seeking fulfillment and camaraderie through competition. Winners opened the Generation Kplus section at the 2024 Berlinale and was later awarded Best Children’s Film at the German Film Awards. Watch the trailer!

Streaming as a part of “Breaking Lines”. The triumphs of teamwork, broken glass ceilings, the devotion of fandom—soccer lovers of all stripes find solidarity and perseverance both on and off the field. To mark the 2026 FIFA World Cup’s arrival in North America this summer, this collection of films celebrates the empowering, unifying force of “the beautiful game”. Stream for free through July 31! 

Image © Pluto Film Distribution Network GmbH