Her Race to Space

  • Dokfest München

The new race to space will shape the future of humanity. A European founder takes on powerful forces in a fight for a space that belongs to all of us.

Year

2026

Length

90 min

Director

Lena Leonhardt

Share

Synopsis

As the first woman in Europe to found a private space company, Hélène Huby sets out to challenge the dominance of SpaceX. In doing so, she enters a global race in which Europe barely has a foothold. But this is about more than technology: whoever controls access to space also shapes the order of our world.

Over the course of several years, the film follows Huby through negotiations, setbacks and the lead-up to a crucial first rocket launch in the United States. Between airports, conference rooms and ever fewer moments with her family, it becomes clear what this ambition demands. As she tries to change the system, she risks becoming part of it herself.

HER RACE TO SPACE tells the story of a race with an uncertain outcome – and of what it costs to pursue it against the logic of power and domination.

Written by
Nadine Neumann

Director
Lena Leonhardt

Co-Director
Ira Beetz
Margarita Dreiling

Script Consultant
Johannes Oschwald

Director of Photography
Alexander Vexler
Sebastian Bäumler

Sound
Nikolaj Täuber
Dhana Sauernheimer

Editor
Fabian Teichmann

Mix
Philipp Sellier

Grading
Alexander Vexler

Post Production
Alexander Steyer

Graphic Design
Julia Lockowandt
Fabian Teichmann

Archive Producer
Florian Tropp

Story Producer
Nicolas Winkelhahn

Creative Producer
Nadine Neumann
Anna Kwak

Production Managers
Marcel Rechten
Astrid Ozanne
David Lindner Leporda

Line Producer
Ferdinand Freising

Commissioning Editors SWR
Mirjam Dolderer
Antje Stamer

Executive Producers
Reinhardt Beetz
David Linder Leporda
Elodie Polo-Ackermann

Billions Mike
Trailer

Produced by

  • zdf

In co-production with

  • filmallee
  • imagissme

With the support of

  • FFF Bayern
  • CNC

With the support of

  • zdf

Her Race to Space

  • Dokfest München

The new race to space will shape the future of humanity. A European founder takes on powerful forces in a fight for a space that belongs to all of us.

Year

2026

Length

90 min

Director

Lena Leonhardt

Share

Synopsis

As the first woman in Europe to found a private space company, Hélène Huby sets out to challenge the dominance of SpaceX. In doing so, she enters a global race in which Europe barely has a foothold. But this is about more than technology: whoever controls access to space also shapes the order of our world.

Over the course of several years, the film follows Huby through negotiations, setbacks and the lead-up to a crucial first rocket launch in the United States. Between airports, conference rooms and ever fewer moments with her family, it becomes clear what this ambition demands. As she tries to change the system, she risks becoming part of it herself.

HER RACE TO SPACE tells the story of a race with an uncertain outcome – and of what it costs to pursue it against the logic of power and domination.

Written by
Nadine Neumann

Director
Lena Leonhardt

Co-Director
Ira Beetz
Margarita Dreiling

Script Consultant
Johannes Oschwald

Director of Photography
Alexander Vexler
Sebastian Bäumler

Sound
Nikolaj Täuber
Dhana Sauernheimer

Editor
Fabian Teichmann

Mix
Philipp Sellier

Grading
Alexander Vexler

Post Production
Alexander Steyer

Graphic Design
Julia Lockowandt
Fabian Teichmann

Archive Producer
Florian Tropp

Story Producer
Nicolas Winkelhahn

Creative Producer
Nadine Neumann
Anna Kwak

Production Managers
Marcel Rechten
Astrid Ozanne
David Lindner Leporda

Line Producer
Ferdinand Freising

Commissioning Editors SWR
Mirjam Dolderer
Antje Stamer

Executive Producers
Reinhardt Beetz
David Linder Leporda
Elodie Polo-Ackermann

Billions Mike
Trailer

Produced by

  • zdf

In co-production with

  • filmallee
  • imagissme

With the support of

  • FFF Bayern
  • CNC

With the support of

  • zdf