My Make or Break

  • nordische filmtage

Three young people are looking for their way into the professional world: a nurse, an engineer, and a media designer must decide between a career or quitting, between employment or self-employment.

Year

2026

Length

3×20 min & 1×45 min

Director
Mariska Lief
Share

Synopsis

The new ZDF documentary series “My Make or Break” follows young people who have to make courageous decisions in times of economic uncertainty and social upheaval. Economics is not explained here, but experienced firsthand. The first episode focuses on the transition into working life: How do I want to work? Because work has long been more than just a means of earning a living. It is identity, security, a search for meaning, and a burden all at once. Caregiver Jenny is faced with the choice between physical overload and self-determination. Engineer Victoria dares to leave her secure permanent job in order to find professional and personal freedom. And Majid seeks a new life in the tension between family responsibility and creative self-realization.

Regie
Mariska Lief

Ton
Thomas Funk
Tom Schön
Oliver Winkler

Kamera
Benjamin Kahlmeyer
Jakob Stark

Schnitt
Leonardo Franke

Produktion Beetz Brothers
Josefine Bingemer
Dagmar Leibham

Redaktion Beetz Brothers
Tom Littlewood
Caroline Meyer zu Eppendorf

Produktion ZDF
Denise Cleemann
Annette Muth

Redaktion ZDF
Ralf Bonsels
Nadja Kaltwasser

Leitung der Sendung
Cathérine Kipp

My Make or Break
Trailer

Produced by

  • bb

Produced for

  • zdf

In co-production with

  • HR
  • SWR
  • NDR
  • wdr

Produced for

  • ard
  • List Title

With the support of

  • idm

In association with

  • arte
  • arte

Supported by

  • mbb
  • NZ

My Make or Break

  • nordische filmtage

Three young people are looking for their way into the professional world: a nurse, an engineer, and a media designer must decide between a career or quitting, between employment or self-employment.

Year

2026

Length

3×20 min & 1×45 min

Director
Mariska Lief
Share

Synopsis

The new ZDF documentary series “My Make or Break” follows young people who have to make courageous decisions in times of economic uncertainty and social upheaval. Economics is not explained here, but experienced firsthand. The first episode focuses on the transition into working life: How do I want to work? Because work has long been more than just a means of earning a living. It is identity, security, a search for meaning, and a burden all at once. Caregiver Jenny is faced with the choice between physical overload and self-determination. Engineer Victoria dares to leave her secure permanent job in order to find professional and personal freedom. And Majid seeks a new life in the tension between family responsibility and creative self-realization.

Regie
Mariska Lief

Ton
Thomas Funk
Tom Schön
Oliver Winkler

Kamera
Benjamin Kahlmeyer
Jakob Stark

Schnitt
Leonardo Franke

Produktion Beetz Brothers
Josefine Bingemer
Dagmar Leibham

Redaktion Beetz Brothers
Tom Littlewood
Caroline Meyer zu Eppendorf

Produktion ZDF
Denise Cleemann
Annette Muth

Redaktion ZDF
Ralf Bonsels
Nadja Kaltwasser

Leitung der Sendung
Cathérine Kipp

My Make or Break
Trailer

Produced by

  • bb

Produced for

  • zdf

In co-production with

  • HR
  • SWR
  • NDR
  • wdr

Produced for

  • ard
  • List Title

With the support of

  • idm

In association with

  • arte
  • arte

Supported by

  • mbb
  • NZ