{{short description|2025 Slovenian drama film}} {{Use dmy dates|date=February 2025}} {{Infobox film | name = Little Trouble Girls | image = Little Trouble Girls film poster.jpg | caption = International promotional poster | native_name = {{Infobox name module|sl|Kaj ti je deklica|translation=What's wrong, girl?}} | director = Urška Djukić | writer = {{Plainlist| * Urška Djukić * Maria Bohr }} | producer = {{Plainlist| * Jožko Rutar * Miha Černec }} | starring = {{Plainlist| * Jara Sofija Ostan * Mina Švajger * Saša Tabaković * Nataša Burger * Staša Popović * Mateja Strle }} | editing = Vlado Gojun | cinematography = Lev Predan Kowarski | music = | studio = {{Plainlist| * SPOK Films * Staragara * 365 Films * Non-Aligned Films * Nosorogi * OINK }} | distributor = | released = {{Film date|2025|2|14|Berlinale|df=yes}} | runtime = 90 minutes<ref>{{Cite web |date=9 July 2025 |title=''Little Trouble Girls'' (15) |url=https://www.bbfc.co.uk/release/little-trouble-girls-q29sbgvjdglvbjpwwc0xmdmxmtg0 |access-date=9 July 2025 |website=British Board of Film Classification |language=en}}</ref> | country = {{Plainlist| * Slovenia * Italy * Croatia * Serbia }} | language = Slovenian | gross = $63,917<ref name="BOM">{{Cite Box Office Mojo |title=Little Trouble Girls |url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/release/rl199393281/weekend/ |access-date=2026-01-12 |website=Box Office Mojo}}</ref> }}
'''''Little Trouble Girls''''' ({{langx|sl|Kaj ti je deklica||What's up, girl}}) 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.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://cineuropa.org/en/film/473370/|title=Little Trouble Girls |first=Urska |last=Djukic|date=21 January 2025|access-date=8 February 2025|website= Cineuropa |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.berlinale.de/en/press/press-material/presskit-download-action.html?file=Perspectives/Alle_Filme/202501131_en_Little_Trouble_Grils.pdf |title=Little Trouble Girls |publisher=Berlinale |access-date=8 February 2025}}</ref>
The film had its world premiere at the Perspectives section of the 75th Berlin International Film Festival on 14 February 2025,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://cineuropa.org/en/newsdetail/472576 |title= The Berlinale unveils the titles playing in its Competition and its Perspectives and Berlinale Special strands|author= Davide Abbatescianni |date=21 January 2025|access-date=8 February 2025 |website= Cineuropa |language=en}}</ref><ref name="maincomp:sd">{{cite web |url=https://www.screendaily.com/news/berlin-film-festival-reveals-2025-competition-line-up/5200946.article |title=Berlin film festival reveals 2025 competition line-up 2025 |first= Michael |last= Rosser |date=21 January 2025 |access-date=8 February 2025 |website=ScreenDaily|language=en}}</ref> where it was nominated for the Teddy Award and competed for the Best Feature Film Award.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://teddyaward.tv/en/archive/kaj-ti-je-deklica/ |title=39th Teddy Award: Little Trouble Girls (Kaj ti je deklica)|website=Teddy Award |date=26 January 2025|access-date=8 February 2025|language=en}}</ref> It was also selected as the Slovenian entry for the Best International Feature Film at the 98th Academy Awards, but it was not nominated.<ref>{{Cite web |date=9 September 2025 |title=Film Kaj ti je deklica Urške Djukić slovenski kandidat za oskarja |trans-title=Urška Djukić's film What's Your Girl? is a Slovenian Oscar candidate|url=https://www.delo.si/kultura/film-tv/film-kaj-ti-je-deklica-urske-djukic-slovenski-kandidat-za-oskarja|access-date=9 September 2025 |website= Delo |language=sl}}</ref>
==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.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://cineuropa.org/en/newsdetail/445358/ |title=Urška Djukić shooting her debut feature, Little Trouble Girls|first= Marko |last= Stojiljković |date=26 June 2023 |access-date=8 February 2025|website= Cineuropa|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://cineuropa.org/en/newsdetail/445914/ |title=Eurimages supports 33 co-productions|first= David|last= González |date=4 July 2023 |access-date=8 February 2025|website= Cineuropa|language=en}}</ref>
French company Sister Productions was associate producer on the film.<ref >{{cite web | last=Barraclough | first=Leo | title=Berlinale’s ‘Little Trouble Girls,’ Which Explores ‘Awkward Relationship With Sexuality, Sin and Feelings of Guilt,’ Picked Up by Heretic, Trailer Debuts (EXCLUSIVE) | website=Variety | date=22 January 2025 | url=https://variety.com/2025/film/global/little-trouble-girls-heretic-berlinale-1236278299/ | access-date=18 September 2025}}</ref>
==Release== ''Little Trouble Girls'' had its world premiere on 14 February 2025, as part of the 75th Berlin International Film Festival, in Perspectives.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2025/01/berlin-film-festival-competition-line-up-2025-follow-live-1236262137/|title=Berlin Film Festival Lineup: Richard Linklater, Jessica Chastain, A$AP Rocky & Marion Cotillard Movies Among Vibrant Selection |last=Ntim |first=Zac |date=21 January 2025|access-date=8 February 2025 |website= Deadline |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.berlinale.de/en/2025/programme/202501131.html |title= Little Trouble Girls |work=Berlinale |date=4 February 2025 |access-date=8 February 2025}}</ref> The film competed in the International Narrative Competition section of the 24th Tribeca Film Festival and was screened on 5 June 2025.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://cineuropa.org/en/newsdetail/476524/ |title=European productions set to make a great first impression at Tribeca |first=Olivia |last= Popp|date=18 April 2025|access-date=3 July 2025|website= Cineuropa |language=en}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.kviff.com/en/programme/catalogue-of-films/en |title= Catalogue of Films|date=20 June 2025|access-date=20 June 2025|website= Karlovy Vary International Film Festival |language=en}}</ref> In August it was showcased at the 31st Sarajevo Film Festival in 'In Focus' section.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.sff.ba/en/news/12555/introducing-the-in-focus-programme-of-the-31st-sarajevo-film-festival |title= Introducing the In Focus programme of the 31st Sarajevo Film Festival|date=3 August 2025|access-date=3 August 2025|website= Sarajevo Film Festival |language=en}}</ref> On 2 October 2025, it was presented in Vanguard section of 2025 Vancouver International Film Festival.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://viff.org/series/vanguard/ |title= Vanguard|date=27 August 2025|access-date=28 August 2025|website= Vancouver International Film Festival}}</ref> It also made it to the 'Meeting Point' slate of the 70th Valladolid International Film Festival.<ref>{{Cite web|website=Europa Press|url=https://www.europapress.es/castilla-y-leon/noticia-avance-70-seminci-hermanos-dardenne-sergei-loznitsa-bi-gan-lav-diaz-mascaro-espiga-oro-20250724142713.html|title=Avance de la 70 Seminci: Hermanos Dardenne, Sergei Loznitsa, Bi Gan, Lav Díaz y Mascaro, a por la Espiga de Oro|date=24 July 2025}}</ref>
The film was screened in the International Panorama for its Quebec Premiere at the 2025 Festival du nouveau cinéma on 11 October 2025.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://nouveaucinema.ca/en/films/little-trouble-girls |title= Little Trouble Girls|date=23 September 2025|access-date=24 September 2025|website= Festival du Nouveau Cinéma |language=en}}</ref>
It was screened in the Open Horizons at the Thessaloniki International Film Festival on 31 October 2025.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://vp.eventival.com/thessaloniki/tiff66/film/1108313 |title= Little Trouble Girls |date=23 October 2025|access-date=25 October 2025|website= Thessaloniki International Film Festival |language=en}}</ref>
It was also screened in Discovery section of the 2025 Stockholm International Film Festival on 7 November 2025.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.stockholmfilmfestival.se/en/little-trouble-girls |title=Little Trouble Girls|date=9 October 2025|access-date=31 October 2025|website= Stockholm International Film Festival |language=en}}</ref>
On 8 November 2025, it was presented in Visions of the East section of Arras Film Festival.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.arrasfilmfestival.com/blog/programmation/visions-de-l-est/little-trouble-girls.html |title=Little Trouble Girls |date=4 November 2025|access-date=4 November 2025 |website= Arras Film Festival}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://cineuropa.org/en/newsdetail/485462 |title=European cinema in all its diversity to be unleashed at the Arras Film Festival|first=Fabien |last=Lemercier |date=4 November 2025|access-date=4 November 2025 |website= Cineuropa |language=en}}</ref>
It competed in the International competition section of the 56th International Film Festival of India in November 2025.<ref name="ic:variety">{{Cite news|url=https://variety.com/2025/film/festivals/miike-takashi-sham-golden-peacock-india-iffi-1236573068/ |title=Miike Takashi’s ‘Sham,’ Rajkumar Periasamy’s ‘Amaran’ to Compete for Golden Peacock at India’s IFFI|author= Naman Ramachandran |work=Variety|date= 8 November 2025 |access-date=9 November 2025 |language=en}}</ref>
The film competed in the Awards Buzz – Best International Feature Film section of the 37th Palm Springs International Film Festival on 4 January 2026.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://psfilmfest.org/film-festival-2026/film-finder/little-trouble-girls |title= Little Trouble Girls|date=3 December 2025|access-date=4 December 2025|website= Palm Springs International Film Festival |language=en}}</ref>
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.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://cineuropa.org/en/newsdetail/486610 |title= The Trieste Film Festival focuses on Slovenian women filmmakers|date=28 November 2025|access-date=28 November 2025 |website= Cineuropa}}</ref>
Athens-based sales agent Heretic has acquired the international sales rights of the film in January 2025.<ref name="gen:variety">{{Cite news|url=https://variety.com/2025/film/global/little-trouble-girls-heretic-berlinale-1236278299/ |title=Berlinale's 'Little Trouble Girls,' Which Explores 'Awkward Relationship With Sexuality, Sin and Feelings of Guilt,' Picked Up by Heretic, Trailer Debuts (EXCLUSIVE)|author= Leo Barraclough |work=Variety |date= 22 January 2025 |access-date=8 February 2025 |language=en}}</ref>
==Reception== {{Rotten Tomatoes prose|98||46|consensus=Harmonizing themes of sexual awakening and spirituality into a wholly authentic and revelatory coming-of-age drama, ''Little Trouble Girls'' is an arresting feature debut from writer-director Urška Djukić.|ref=yes|access-date=17 January 2026}}
Writing in ''The Guardian'', Peter Bradshaw gave ''Little Trouble Girls'' five stars out of five, calling it "an utterly absorbing and outstandingly acted film."<ref>{{cite web |last1=Bradshaw |first1=Peter |title=Little Trouble Girls review – monstrous choirmaster spikes a sublime Catholic coming-of-age tale |url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2025/aug/15/little-trouble-girls-review |website=The Guardian |access-date=19 August 2025 |date=15 August 2025}}</ref>
==Accolades== The film was selected in the newly formed Perspectives competition and competed for GWFF Best First Feature Award.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.berlinale.de/en/2025/news-press-releases/261716.html |title=The Programme of Perspectives |work=Berlinale |date=21 January 2025 |access-date=23 January 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.berlinale.de/en/2025/news-press-releases/256772.html |title=Berlinale Launches Perspectives, a New International Competition for Feature-Length Fiction Debuts, Strengthening the Profile of New Talent Within the Festival |date=2 July 2024 |access-date=23 January 2025}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" ! Award ! Date of ceremony ! Category ! Recipient ! Result ! {{abbr|Ref.|Reference(s)}} |- !scope="row" rowspan="1"|Les Arcs Film Festival | 18 December 2023 | TitraFilm award | rowspan="4"|''Little Trouble Girls'' | {{Won}} | align="center" |<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://cineuropa.org/en/newsdetail/453882/ |title=The Work in Progress of Les Arcs awards Little Trouble Girls|author=Fabien Lemercier |date=19 December 2023|access-date=8 February 2025 |website= Cineuropa |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.screendaily.com/news/five-country-european-co-production-little-trouble-girls-leads-les-arcs-industry-winners/5188891.article |title=Urska Djukic's five-country European co-production 'Little Trouble Girls' leads Les Arcs industry winners |first=Ben|last=Dalton|date=19 December 2023 |access-date=10 February 2025 |website=ScreenDaily |language=en}}</ref> |- !scope="row" rowspan="3"|Berlin International Film Festival | rowspan="3"|23 February 2025 | GWFF Best First Feature Award | {{Nom}} | align="center" | <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/berlin-film-festival-2025-lineup-competition-program-1236113007/ |title= Berlin Film Festival Lineup: Movies From Richard Linklater, Michel Franco, Hang Song-Soo in Competition (Full List) |author= Scott Roxborough |website= The Hollywood Reporter |date=21 January 2025 |access-date=8 February 2025|lang=en}}</ref> |- | Teddy Award for Best Short Films | {{Nom}} | align="center" rowspan="1"|<ref>{{cite web|url=https://teddyaward.tv/en/program/filmnamen-2025/ |title=39th Teddy Award: Filmtitles|website=Teddy Award |date=26 January 2025|access-date=8 February 2025|language=en}}</ref> |- | FIPRESCI Prize | {{Won}} | align="center" | <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/berlin2025-fipresci-international-film-critics-award-winners-1236143761/ |title= Berlin: Fipresci International Film Critic Award Winners |author=Scott Roxborough |website=The Hollywood Reporter |date=22 February 2025 |access-date= 23 February 2025|lang=en}}</ref> |- !scope="row" rowspan="1"|Tribeca Film Festival | 12 June 2025 | Best Cinematography | Lev Predan Kowarski | {{Won}} | align="center" rowspan="1"|<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://cineuropa.org/en/newsdetail/480364/ |title=Cuerpo Celeste, Little Trouble Girls and An Eye for an Eye are the big European winners at Tribeca |first=Davide |last=Abbatescianni|date=13 June 2025|access-date=3 July 2025|website=Cineuropa |language=en}}</ref> |- |- ! scope="row" | CinEast Film Festival | 26 October 2025 | Critics’ Prize | rowspan="2"|''Little Trouble Girls'' | {{Won}} | style='text-align:center' |<ref>{{cite web |title=CinEast 2025 Awards |url=https://www.cineast.lu/2025/ |website=CinEast Film Festival |publisher=18th edition of the Central and Eastern European Film Festival in Luxembourg |access-date=26 October 2025}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://cineuropa.org/en/newsdetail/485215 |title=Balkan films come out on top at the 18th edition of Luxembourg's CinÉast |first=Olivia|last=Popp |date=27 October 2025|access-date=27 October 2025 |website=Cineuropa |language=en}}</ref> |- ! scope="row" rowspan="6"|Festival of Slovenian Film | rowspan="6"|26 October 2025 | Best Feature Film | {{Won}} | style='text-align:center'rowspan="6"|<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://cineuropa.org/en/newsdetail/485253 |title=Little Trouble Girls crowned at the Festival of Slovenian Film|first=Marko |last=Stojiljković |date=28 October 2025|access-date=28 October 2025 |website=Cineuropa |language=en}}</ref> |- | Best Actress | Jara Sofija Ostan | {{Won}} |- | Best Supporting Actress | Mina Švajger | {{Won}} |- | Best Sound Design | Julij Zornik | {{Won}} |- | Best Supporting Actor | Saša Tabaković | {{Won}} |- | FIPRESCI Award | Urška Djukić | {{Won}} |- ! scope="row" |Euro-Balkan Film Festival | 6 November 2025 | Youth Jury Prizes - Feature Films: Best Director | Urška Djukić | {{Won}} | style='text-align:center'|<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://cineuropa.org/en/newsdetail/485655 |title=Afterwar crowned Best Film at the Euro Balkan Film Festival in Rome|first=Vittoria|last=Scarpa |date=7 November 2025|access-date=8 November 2025 |website=Cineuropa |language=en}}</ref> |- !scope="row" rowspan="1"|International Film Festival of India | rowspan="1"|28 November 2025 | Golden Peacock | rowspan="4"|''Little Trouble Girls'' | {{Nom}} | align="center" |<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://iffigoa.org/international-cinema/2025/international-competition |title=International Competition - 2025 |date=7 November 2025|access-date=8 November 2025|website= International Film Festival of India |language=en}}</ref> |- !scope="row" rowspan="1"|Les Arcs Film Festival | 20 December 2025 | Jury Grand Prize | {{Won}} | align="center" |<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://cineuropa.org/en/newsdetail/487173 |title=Mr. Nobody Against Putin triumphs at Les Arcs|author=Fabien Lemercier |date=22 December 2025|access-date=22 December 2025 |website= Cineuropa |language=en}}</ref> |- ! scope="row" | European Film Awards | 17 January 2026 | European Discovery – Prix FIPRESCI | {{nom}} | align="center" | <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/european-film-award-nominations-2026-1236429513/ |last=Roxborough |first=Scott |date=18 November 2025 |title=Nominations for the 2026 European Film Awards Unveiled |access-date=18 November 2025 |website=The Hollywood Reporter |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2025/10/european-film-awards-nominations-shortlist-2025-1236584205/ |title=‘Bugonia’, ‘On Falling’ & ‘Sound Of Falling’ Among Titles On The European Film Awards Nominations Shortlist|first=Zac|last=Ntim|date=14 October 2025|access-date=15 October 2025 |website= Deadline|language=en}}</ref> |- ! scope="row" |Tromsø International Film Festival | 25 January 2026 | Faith in Film Award | {{Won}} | align="center" |<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://cineuropa.org/en/newsdetail/487955 |title= A Sad and Beautiful World triumphs at the 36th Tromsø International Film Festival |first=Olivia|last= Popp|date=26 January 2026|access-date=26 January 2026|website= Cineuropa |language=en}}</ref> |- |}
==See also==
* List of submissions to the 98th Academy Awards for Best International Feature Film * List of Slovenian submissions for the Academy Award for Best International Feature Film
== References == {{Reflist}}
==External links== * {{IMDb title|tt28834646}} * {{Rotten tomatoes}} * [https://heretic.gr/film/little-trouble-girls/ ''Little Trouble Girls''] at Heretic * [https://sisterprod.com/en/film/little-trouble-girls/ ''Little Trouble Girls''] at Sister Productions * [https://www.berlinale.de/en/2025/programme/202501131.html ''Little Trouble Girls''] at Berlinale * [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wpyZFRZNvPM Official trailer] on Youtube
{{Slovenian submissions for the Academy Award for Best International Feature Film}}
Category:2025 films Category:Slovene-language films Category:2025 drama films Category:Slovenian drama films Category:Films about sexuality Category:2025 LGBTQ-related films Category:2020s LGBTQ-related drama films Category:Slovenian LGBTQ-related films Category:Italian LGBTQ-related films Category:Serbian LGBTQ-related films Category:Croatian LGBTQ-related films Category:2025 directorial debut films Category:Films shot in Friuli-Venezia Giulia Category:Films shot in Slovenia Category:2020s Slovenian films Category:2025 Italian films Category:2020s Croatian films Category:2020s Serbian films