What Marielle Knows


What Marielle Knows is a 2025 German drama film written and directed by Frédéric Hambalek. The film follows Julia and Tobias, who discover that their daughter Marielle has suddenly developed telepathic abilities and can see and hear everything they do.
The film was selected in the Competition at the 75th Berlin International Film Festival, where it competed for the Golden Bear and had first screening on 17 February 2025 at Berlinale Palast.

Synopsis

Marielle, Julia and Tobias's 12-year-old daughter, develops telepathic powers, exposing her to her parents' private lives. She learns unsettling truths about her mother’s attraction to a colleague and her father’s lack of confidence, shattering her idealized view of them. The parents struggle with her invasive awareness, altering their behavior and causing complications in both their personal and professional lives.

Cast

  • Julia Jentsch as Julia
  • Felix Kramer as Tobias
  • Laeni Geiseler as Marielle
  • Mehmet Ateşçi
  • Moritz Treuenfels as Dr. Sören Marx

Production

Principal photography began on 27 February 2024 at locations in Eching, Landshut, Munich and vicinity. Filming ended on 25 March 2024 in locations in Bavaria, Germany.
The film was produced by Walker + Worm Film GmbH & Co. KG, Zweites Deutsches Fernsehen (ZDF) with the backing of German Federal Film Board + German Federal Film Fund and distributed by Farbfilm Verleih GmbH.

Release

What Marielle Knows had its world premiere on 17 February 2025, as part of the 75th Berlin International Film Festival, in Competition.
It also competed in New Directors Competition at the São Paulo International Film Festival and had screening on 16 October 2025.
It was screened in the Comedy section of the 61st [Chicago International Film Festival] on 16 October 2025, and in 'Strands: Laugh' section of the 2025 BFI London Film Festival on 18 October 2025.
It was screened in Open Horizons at the Thessaloniki International Film Festival on 2 November 2025, and in the Open Zone section of the 2025 Stockholm International Film Festival on 6 November 2025. It competed in Golden Olive tree Competition at the Lecce [European Film Festival] on 17 November 2025.
The film will be presented in the Country Focus section of the 37th [Palm Springs International Film Festival] and have its California Premiere on 2 January 2026.
The film has joined inaugural slate of newly-launched Paris-based sales company Lucky Number. They acquired sales rights of the film in January 2025.
It was released theatrically in Germany on 17 April 2025 by DCM Film Distribution.

Accolades

The film was shortlisted for nomination to 2026 European Film Awards in feature film category. The award ceremony to announce nominations will take place on 17 January 2026.
AwardDate of ceremonyCategoryRecipientResult
Berlin International Film Festival23 February 2025Golden BearWhat Marielle KnowsNomitated
Berlin International Film Festival23 February 2025Prize of the Guild of German Arthouse cinemas Special MentionWhat Marielle Knows
Lecce European Film Festival23 November 2025Best ScreenplayFrédéric HambalekWon
Lecce European Film Festival23 November 2025Critics’ Award – SNCCIFrédéric HambalekWon