Films

Mystery Man takes the audience on a fascinating and unpredictable journey through the life of legendary musician and artist Paolo Vinaccia. 

 

The documentary delves deep into the soul of a man who was not only a virtuoso musician, but also an enigmatic and creative force, a rebel who defied all conventions.

“He is in the great singer-songwriter tradition of Dylan and Neil Young. He’s just one of the America greats” – Bruce Springsteen. 

 

Directed by Claire Jeffreys, this award-winning documentary examines the fifty-year career of the genre-bending, biracial singer-songwriter Garland Jeffreys.

This BBC documentary marks the 50th anniversary of Bruce Springsteen’s first UK concert, this documentary examines the American singer-songwriter’s unique relationship with the UK. 

 

This screening at HIMF 2025 will be the documentary’s first festival screening outside of the United Kingdom, reflecting BBC’s commitment in documenting important national cultural stories. 

This feature-length documentary tells the vibrant story of the Scottish girl bands from 1960 onwards that have often been overlooked ignored by a male-dominated industry. 

 

The film takes a critical look at the barriers women have faced making music in the past and still face today. The films asks - how we can inspire young women to make music?

Deliver me from Nowhere is the highly ancipated adaptation of Warren Zanes’ book telling the story of Bruce Springsteen's journey crafting his 1982 album Nebraska.

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This film will be at the centerpiece of the Springsteen Experience at HIMF 2025, where we present two other films related to "The Boss"

 

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The film tells the story behind the legendary Swedish band Gyllene Tider, who have become one of the biggest pop sensations of our time.

 

Their story is the subject of the film Sommartider, which shows how Per Gessle and his friends found community and friendship through music in their youth.

Earlier this year, Sondre Lerche and his 52-person ensemble performed two extraordinary performances at the Norwegian Opera & Ballet. 

 

Now, HIMF has the pleasure of presenting "Stop Time" produced by Sondre Lerche/PLZ in collaboration with ONZONZ, who filmed the concert.

In times of social change, the power of music and song is strong. Each year, HIMF will ask the important question,"How can music films contribute to positive change in society"?

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This year we will screen “Music + Revolution = Velvet Revolution", from 2024, directed by Slavomír Zrebný. The film explores the role of music during the 1989 Velvet Revolution in the former Czechoslovakia.