Rowing (2026): Cast, Story and Release Details

Prepared by Movies Dock Editorial

Rowing follows two close friends whose shared commitment to competitive training is tested when one begins undergoing a startling physical transformation. As Dina chooses to listen to her changing body, Nele struggles to keep their routine—and perhaps their friendship—intact.

Rowing is a 2026 German drama-fantasy short film directed by Tobias Zürrer and written by Jorid Lutz. Running 24 minutes, it centers on two young rowers whose friendship is placed under pressure by an extraordinary change in Dina’s body.

The film connects athletic discipline with questions of identity, physical change and personal choice. Its story remains focused on the tension between Nele’s determination to continue training and Dina’s decision to follow a different path.

Rowing movie details

Story without spoilers

Nele has built her life around rowing, training every day alongside her best friend Dina. Their shared routine and passion give their friendship a strong foundation, but that stability is disrupted when Dina’s skin begins to turn scaly and spikes start growing from her back.

Rather than ignoring what is happening, Dina decides to listen to her body and surrender to the transformation. Nele, meanwhile, tries to keep her focused on their training. As their responses to the change move in different directions, both the future of their rowing partnership and the friendship itself come under strain.

What to expect

Rowing combines drama and fantasy within a compact 24-minute format. The premise places a close friendship inside a demanding sports environment, using Dina’s physical transformation as the central source of conflict.

The supplied themes include identity, pressure, body change and water sports. Viewers can therefore expect a story concerned with the tension between discipline and self-acceptance, while remaining grounded in the relationship between two friends rather than an expansive fantasy world.

Cast and creative team

Elsa Langnäse plays Nele, with Anni Molke as Dina. Rowan Polonski appears as Coach Nick, while Lisa Wildmann plays Ärztin. The cast also includes Stella Butz as Merit and Maria Jung as Isabel.

Tobias Zürrer directs Rowing, from a screenplay by Jorid Lutz.

• Elsa Langnäse as Nele
• Anni Molke as Dina
• Rowan Polonski as Coach Nick
• Lisa Wildmann as Ärztin
• Stella Butz as Merit
• Maria Jung as Isabel

Release and production context

Rowing is listed as a 2026 release, with a release date of October 23, 2026. It has a runtime of 24 minutes and is classified as a drama and fantasy short film. The production comes from Germany and is associated with Filmakademie Baden-Württemberg. The listed spoken languages are German and English.

Production companies: Filmakademie Baden-Württemberg

Movies Dock view

With its short runtime and focused premise, Rowing frames an unusual bodily transformation through the everyday pressures of training and friendship. Its central conflict comes from the different ways Nele and Dina respond to change, giving the film a clear emotional and fantastical foundation without revealing how their story concludes.

Film data:
TMDB · IMDb