# Outplay Films Nabs Tom Tykwer-Produced Locarno Competition Title ‘I Rarely Wake Up Dreaming’ (EXCLUSIVE)

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/outplay-films-nabs-tom-tykwer-produced-locarno-competition-title-i-rarely-wake-up-dreaming-exclusive/
- Published: 2026-08-03T13:01:01+00:00
- Original publisher: Variety
- Original article: https://variety.com/2026/film/global/outplay-films-tom-tykwer-locarno-i-rarely-wake-up-dreaming-1236826274/
- Topics: Entertainment, Europe, Film, World

## Key points

- Outplay Films acquires world sales for Tykwer-produced Locarno title
- Film explores gender transition amid Russia's war in Ukraine
- Directed by Isabelle Stever, produced via X Filme Creative Pool

## Summary

France's Outplay Films has acquired world sales rights to "I Rarely Wake Up Dreaming," a Locarno main competition title produced by German director Tom Tykwer. The queer relationship drama, directed by Isabelle Stever, examines love and gender transition against the backdrop of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, marking a notable acquisition for Outplay ahead of the festival.

The film follows Olya and Oleh, a young queer Ukrainian couple, as one partner's gender transition unfolds amid wartime upheaval and its challenges to conventional notions of masculinity and femininity. It was produced by Tykwer and Uwe Schott through Berlin-based X Filme Creative Pool and written by Anna Melikova, with the filmmakers describing it as inspired by real Ukrainian friends' transition journeys. Marseille-based Outplay Films, led by co-managing director Diego Carazo-Migerel Fougères, said the deal aligns with its focus on original, minority-centred storytelling as it continues expanding internationally.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.