EFF: Babystar

This film is also showing at our sister cinemas, Classic Cinemas and Ritz Cinemas

Babystar

Australian & New Zealand Premiere

“Babystar is like an influencer-era version of The Truman Show.” – Variety

Sixteen-year-old Luca has lived her entire life online. Her parents, Stella and Chris, have been vlogging since before she was born, so when Luca entered the picture, they pivoted to posting aspirational family content under their handle @our_bright_life. Their online fame and followers have allowed them to live affluently on income from sponsorship deals and advertising, and Luca is the envy of every chronically online teenager.

As she approaches young adulthood, however, Luca starts to question her identity and sense of agency in the family business. When Stella announces to Luca – on a live-stream, of course – that she and Chris are planning to have another baby, everything changes. Can Luca intervene so that her future younger sibling might be able to make their own choice about living an online life?

With its polished aesthetic and stylish cinematography that recalls Yorgos Lanthimos and Michael Haneke – often with the camera positioned in voyeuristic, surveillance-like angles – Babystar is a timely and slicing satire about influencer culture, the attention economy and technology’s devastating impact on young people’s mental health.

Festivals & Awards

Toronto International Film Festival 2025 – Official Selection
Filmfest Hamburg 2025 – Official Selection
Zurich Film Festival 2025 - Nominee, Golden Eye Award
Warsaw Film Festival 2025 - Nominee, Grand Prix
Stockholm International Film Festival 2025 – Official Selection

Rating

Unclassified 18+

Duration

98 min

Country

Germany

Language

German (English subtitles)

Cast

Maja Bons, Bea Brocks, Liliom Lewald, Joy Ewulu, Maximilian Mundt, Verena Altenberger

Director

Joscha Bongard