The film will be available for digital purchase and rental on numerous platforms, including Amazon Prime Video. Availability may vary by country and platform.
The international release will take place in several phases. Following the initial launch in 98 countries, additional territories and platform availability will follow, gradually expanding the film’s international distribution.
Digital distribution is being handled in collaboration with LEONINE for Germany, Austria and Switzerland, and ODMedia for the other agreed international territories.
From Germany to Hollywood: HAPS Celebrates Its Premiere in Los Angeles
Just three days before its international digital release, HAPS – Crime Doesn’t Pay will be presented in Hollywood on October 19, 2026. The exclusive screening will take place at the Dolby Screening Room Hollywood Vine in Los Angeles.
For screenwriter, director and producer Ekrem Engizek, the Hollywood premiere marks another milestone in bringing a German feature film produced outside the traditional studio system to international audiences.
HAPS was produced by Engizek Films GmbH as a self-directed film production. Engizek was responsible not only for the screenplay, direction and production, but also handled the film’s theatrical distribution in Germany through his company.
The film opened in German cinemas on March 27, 2025. According to the German Federal Film Board (Filmförderungsanstalt, FFA), HAPS ranked 19th among the most-watched German films in the first half of 2025.
A distinctive part of the German theatrical campaign was the nationwide cinema tour organized by Engizek Films, which took the film to 53 cities across Germany. During the tour, Ekrem Engizek and members of the film team engaged directly with audiences.
The film also received the “Valuable” (wertvoll) distinction from the German Film and Media Assessment Board (Deutsche Film- und Medienbewertung, FBW).
With its international digital release, the film will now become accessible to audiences in numerous countries beyond the German theatrical market.
HAPS – Crime Doesn’t Pay: A Prison Drama About Power, Loyalty and Survival
At the center of HAPS – Crime Doesn’t Pay is Alexander Rothstein, who finds himself in prison on drug trafficking charges and must fight for his survival. As he becomes increasingly entangled in intrigue and betrayal, he is ultimately left with only two options: become a victim or turn into a monster himself.
The prison drama explores themes of power, loyalty, guilt and the consequences of human decisions. In an environment defined by violence and rigid hierarchies, Alexander is confronted with the question of how far he must go to survive.
The film stars Constantin von Jascheroff in the leading role. The ensemble also includes Cem Öztabakci, Kais Setti, Amir Israil Aschenberg, Michael Lott, Anna Stieblich, Xenia Georgia Assenza and Leonard Kunz.
Leonard Kunz, who portrays Simon in HAPS, received the 2025 German Television Award for Best Actor for his performance in Ein Mann seiner Klasse. He was also nominated for the 2026 German Film Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role in Der Tiger.
For the film’s visual direction, Ekrem Engizek collaborated with cinematographer Christof Wahl. Production design was handled by Christian Schäfer, while the film music was composed by Martin Todsharow and PAIX. Mike Moeller was responsible for stunt coordination and fight choreography.
Post-production was completed by ROTOR FILM.
Six Language Versions for the International Release
For its international digital launch, HAPS underwent extensive localization and technical preparation.
In addition to the original German version, the film was dubbed into English, French, Spanish, Portuguese and Turkish, bringing the total to six language versions.
According to Engizek Films, 59 international subtitle versions were also prepared for digital distribution. These will be made available depending on the respective territory and platform. Not all subtitle versions will be available during the initial release phase.
The English-language dub has a particularly distinctive feature: seven members of the original German cast also provide their own voices for their characters in the English version. This helps preserve key elements of their original performances for English-speaking audiences.
For its international digital release, HAPS was prepared in UHD and Dolby Vision. The German and English language versions are also available in Dolby Atmos.
Actual picture, sound and language options may vary depending on the country and digital platform.
This extensive localization enables Engizek Films to make HAPS accessible to audiences across different international markets and language regions.
Beyond the Film: Soundtrack Album, Music Videos and Podcast
The world of HAPS was developed from the outset to extend beyond the feature film itself. Music, specially produced music videos and a podcast complement the project and explore its themes through different formats.
On April 4, 2025, “HAPS Das Album (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)” was released, featuring 29 tracks. More than 20 artists from the German hip-hop scene contributed to the music project, including Azad, Asche, NGEE and Mucco.
The album was also produced in Dolby Atmos and is available on digital music platforms.
A total of 19 music videos were produced alongside the soundtrack album, expanding the musical and visual world of HAPS and extending the project beyond the cinema screen.
The project also introduced “HAPS the Podcast,” a dedicated interview format hosted by Maximilian Pollux. The podcast features personalities from the music and entertainment industries, as well as guests with diverse life experiences.
Among the guests were German rappers Azad and Jeyz, who discussed their careers, personal experiences and involvement in the HAPS music project.
The podcast is also available on digital platforms, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts and YouTube.
Together, these productions follow a shared approach: the themes of the film are intended to reach audiences not only through the cinematic narrative, but also through music, personal conversations and audiovisual content.
ROJA NÛ: Millions of Views Accompany the International HAPS Campaign
The musical world surrounding HAPS continues to evolve ahead of the film’s international digital release.
The subsequently released track “ROJA NÛ” by HAPS x HIVA x PAIX has become another part of the international campaign, attracting significant attention across digital platforms within a short period.
According to Engizek Films, the official music video had surpassed 10.4 million views on YouTube as of October 17, 2026. The song has also gained considerable traction on TikTok, where more than 317,000 videos have been created using the track.
These developments illustrate the role music and social media can play in the international marketing of film projects produced outside traditional industry structures.
For Engizek Films, ROJA NÛ represents more than a musical accompaniment to the film. The song has developed into a distinct part of the international campaign, creating additional opportunities to reach audiences beyond conventional film advertising.
With the digital release in 98 countries, Engizek Films is now connecting the attention generated through music and social media with the film’s international availability.
International Electronic Press Kit Available
To support the international digital release, Engizek Films is providing a comprehensive Electronic Press Kit (EPK) containing press materials in German and English.
The press kit includes film and production information, principal cast and crew credits, character profiles, official film stills, press photographs of Ekrem Engizek and behind-the-scenes material.
Several video interviews with Ekrem Engizek are also available. In these interviews, the filmmaker discusses the development of HAPS, his creative vision, working with the cast and the challenges of producing a feature film through his own production company.
The German-language interviews are organized into three thematic sections:
- Story & Production – The film’s origins and production
- Themes & Creative Vision – Central themes and creative vision
- Cast & Behind the Scenes – Working with the cast and insights from the production
Additional materials include a behind-the-scenes trailer and further audiovisual content.
The EPK is available to film journalists, entertainment publications, editorial teams and industry professionals for media coverage.
Official Electronic Press Kit and Press Materials:
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1yXERe-ys7rpWs63D7yJqJXG1cwhtK86i
English-language interview and press materials are also available for international media communication.
About Ekrem Engizek
Ekrem Engizek is a German screenwriter, director, producer and entrepreneur, and the founder of the film production company Engizek Films.
His work combines the creative development and execution of film projects with an entrepreneurial approach that extends beyond the traditional responsibilities of a director or producer.
With HAPS – Crime Doesn’t Pay, Engizek pursued his own approach to filmmaking: he developed the screenplay, directed the film and oversaw its production.
Unlike conventional production models, his involvement did not end when the film was completed.
Together with his production company Engizek Films, Engizek also handled the film’s German theatrical distribution. From preparing the theatrical release and developing marketing activities to organizing a nationwide cinema tour across 53 cities, he remained directly involved in the film’s journey to audiences.
In doing so, Engizek combined responsibilities that are typically divided among different companies and departments within the film industry.
The expansion of HAPS into music and other media formats also became part of this broader strategy. Through a comprehensive soundtrack album, music videos, a podcast and additional digital releases, the project developed into a multimedia offering extending beyond the feature film.
With the international digital launch, Engizek is continuing this approach. A German feature film developed and produced through his own company is now entering international distribution, supported by extensive localization, established distribution partners and a phased marketing strategy.
Rather than relying exclusively on traditional distribution channels, Engizek also incorporates music, social media, digital advertising and direct audience engagement into his strategy.
HAPS therefore reflects Engizek’s ambition not only to develop and produce film projects creatively, but also to remain actively involved throughout their entire journey — from the initial idea and theatrical release to international distribution.
About Engizek Films
Engizek Films GmbH is a film production company based in Grünwald, near Munich, Germany.
The company develops and produces film and media projects, combining creative development and production with its own distribution, marketing and release strategies.
With HAPS – Crime Doesn’t Pay, Engizek Films produced a theatrical feature and also handled its German theatrical distribution.
The international digital release is being carried out in collaboration with LEONINE and ODMedia.
HAPS – Crime Doesn’t Pay | Film & Release Information
Category
Information
Film Title
HAPS – Crime Doesn’t Pay
Genre
Prison Drama / Crime Drama
International Digital Release
October 22, 2026
International Rollout
98 countries at launch; additional territories to follow
Release Format
Digital purchase and rental
Platforms
Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV and Google Play
Original Language
German
Language Versions
German, English, French, Spanish, Portuguese and Turkish
Subtitles
59 international subtitle versions, according to Engizek Films
Runtime
Approximately 128 minutes
Aspect Ratio
2.39:1
Picture Formats
UHD, Dolby Vision and SDR
Audio
Dolby Atmos for German and English; additional 5.1 and 2.0 formats
Written, Directed & Produced by
Ekrem Engizek
Production Company
Engizek Films GmbH
Lead Actor
Constantin von Jascheroff
German Theatrical Release
March 27, 2025
German Theatrical Admissions
62,857
FFA Ranking
No. 19 among German films in the first half of 2025
Recognition
FBW “Valuable” distinction
DACH Distribution
LEONINE
International Distribution
ODMedia
Official Website
www.haps-film.com
Hollywood Premiere
October 19, 2026
Premiere Venue
Dolby Screening Room Hollywood Vine, Los Angeles
German Cinema Tour
53 cities
Official Soundtrack Album
HAPS Das Album – 29 tracks
Soundtrack Album
Also produced in Dolby Atmos
Podcast
HAPS the Podcast, hosted by Maximilian Pollux
Press Contact
Engizek Films GmbH
Melanie Weinig
Email: mw@engizekfilms.com
Official Film Website:
https://www.haps-film.com
International Electronic Press Kit:
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1yXERe-ys7rpWs63D7yJqJXG1cwhtK86i
Engizek Films GmbH is an independent film production and distribution company. Founded in 2017 by director, screenwriter and producer Ekrem Engizek, the company develops and produces feature and documentary films as well as series and entertainment formats. Engizek Films combines the development of original stories and IP with production, theatrical distribution, marketing and international distribution – on a project basis also in cooperation with partners. With HAPS – Crime Doesn’t Pay, the company released its own feature film in German cinemas in 2025. With 9n16, Engizek Films is developing a planned mobile platform for vertical short-form series.
Engizek Films GmbH
Brunnenweg 14
88284 Wolpertswende
Telefon: +49 (751) 27088921
http://www.engizekfilms.com
Executive Assistant
E-Mail: mw@engizekfilms.com
