SONJA
Directed by Kirsi Liimatainen

16-year old Sonja makes a confident and experienced impression when the conversation turns to sex in her circle of friends, but to her best friend Julia she confesses that she has never had any sexual relations, not even with her boyfriend Anton. Instead, Sonja discovers her new feelings for Julia. Could it be possible that she has fallen in love with her best friend? After a weekend at her father’s place on the East Sea coast, Sonja faces up to her sexuality and realizes that the life she used to lead will no longer be possible.

75 min. / in German with English subtitles






honorable mention - foreign narrative feature
2007 NewFest New York Gay and Lesbian Film Festival

honorable mention - foreign narrative feature
2007 Miami International Film Festival




" - Even though this movie was written and filmed across the globe, it is easy to relate to the characters and it helps us realize how universal love can be. This film takes a step back to the pain and joys of first love and the complexity of being gay and/or being different.!”
Judi Price, JANE AND JANE

"(A) young girl's Sapphic awakening!”
Ed Gonzalez, THE VILLAGE VOICE

“Liimatainen yields nuanced, arrestingly naturalistic performances from her teenage leads (their tentative body language is alone worth the price of admission).”
EDGE MIAMI

"It's hard to think of a better film about a girl at the stage in life when her sexual orientation becomes a certainty.”
Oscar Jubis, FILMLEAF

“While most coming-of-age tales revolve around the sex lives of boys, Sonja brings to life those late days of girlhood when everything is fragile, unique, and as heartbreaking as any of life’s experiences.”
MIAMI INT''L FILM FESTIVAL

"What makes this tender coming-of-age story special are the strong performances by the young cast under the direction of first-time filmmaker and former actress Kirsi Liimatainen.”
Anna Dunwoodie, LONDON LESBIAN & GAY FILM FESTIVAL

"The story is wonderful and very sincere!”
Amos Lassen, CINEMA PRIDE

2008 San Francisco Int'l LGBT Film Festival (Frameline32)
2008 Out North Film Festival (Anchorage, Alaska)
2007 NewFest New York LGBT Film Festival
2007 Miami International Film Festival (Competition)
2007 London Lesbian & Gay Film Festival
2007 Turin Gay & Lesbian Film Festival
2006 Rio de Janeiro International Film Festival (Competition)
2006 Hamburg Lesbian & Gay Film Festival
2006 Cairo International Film Festival