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The Happiness Effect

Completed201990 min

A diagnosis forces Lea to reconsider the time ahead of her and the life she has been taking for granted. Instead of withdrawing entirely, she…Read more +Read less −

A diagnosis forces Lea to reconsider the time ahead of her and the life she has been taking for granted. Instead of withdrawing entirely, she begins a video project intended to spread happiness and draw other people toward the value of being alive. The effort becomes personal, creative and unpredictable, bringing her relationships into sharper focus. Her brother Igor and friend Ana are drawn into the work as the film moves between different moments in Lea's story. Centred on a young lesbian woman's search for joy, this drama gives desire and connection a place within its wider concern with illness and mortality. It follows the traces a person leaves in other people's lives, and the possibility that a project begun in fear might still become an act of generosity.

Sapphic characters & cast

Dejana Poposka

Dejana Poposka

as Lea

Main sapphic character

Agence VGA performer publicity portrait

YOUR FIRST LOOK

Watch the trailer

Watch trailer on youtube.com ↗ · The YouTube player loads only when you choose it.

BEHIND THE SCENES

Details & credits

Country: North Macedonia, Serbia, Montenegro, Albania, Kosovo
Language: Macedonian
Premiere: 2019-11-07
Runtime: 90 minutes
Director: Borjan Zafirovski

Official platform film key art

Artwork source & permission status

Editorial review approved — rights not independently confirmed

Official platform film key art

Original publication ↗

Sources & editorial notes (7)

Last researched 2026-10-29. Editorially approved.

year: Official film platform and current edition
genres: Film selection and lead story evidence
status: Film selection and lead story evidence
country: Official film platform and current edition
language: Official film platform and current edition
directors: Official film platform and current edition
description: Film selection and lead story evidence
trailer url: Licensed distributor official lesbian protagonist trailer
watch links: Official full-film destination checked 29 October 2026
western cast: Film selection and lead story evidence
premiere date: Official film platform and current edition
runtime minutes: Official film platform and current edition
alternative titles: Film selection and lead story evidence
classification note: Film selection and lead story evidence
representation type: Film selection and lead story evidence