As part of the Weeks of the German Language, the Goethe-Institut Cyprus is organizing a screening of the film Being a Winner at the International School of Paphos (ISOP), a member of the worldwide network of “Schools: Partners for the Future” (PASCH).

After fleeing Syria, eleven-year-old Mona begins a new chapter in Berlin-Wedding. The language is still unfamiliar, but on the football field, she shows what she’s capable of. Her teacher recognizes her talent and invites her to join the girls’ football team. But team spirit is hard to find. Mona must stand her ground, earn trust, and learn that true teamwork means more than just playing together. A film about new beginnings, courage, team spirit, and the power of sport.

The film directed by Soleen Yusef, who also wrote the screenplay based on her own experiences as a German-Kurdish filmmaker, received numerous awards. At the 2024 German Film Awards, it was honored as Best Children’s Film. Further accolades followed at the Filmkunstfest Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, where it received the DEFA Foundation’s Sponsorship Award, at the Giffoni Film Festival with the Gryphon Award – Elements +10 for Best Film, and at both the Goldener Spatz and Kindertiger 2024, each recognizing it for Best Screenplay. In 2025, German film critics also named it Best Children’s Film. Notably, the film was screened at this year’s Berlinale as part of the Generation Kplus program.

Language: German with English subtitles