Programme
Each day, HIMF will present different themes as part of our professional program at the Halden Kulturhus.
Each evening will feature original and creative music films – documentaries, biopics and concert films at the Halden Kino.
Ticket sales and registration will open in September. See our confirmed films, topics and speakers here.
You can also download the total program in pdf. format (available in October)
Daily Programme
Summary
29 October
A BRIGHT FUTURE:
EDUCATION AND CAREER DAY
HIMF 2025 kicks off with a free education and career day on October 29. Free admission for students and young people in carreer deveolopment.
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In collaboration with LSROK and supported by the region and county, we will help young people with interests in music and film to be better prepared for tomorrow's challenges.
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How can you best qualify to capture the interest of organizations and companies in the future?
Start developing your expertise and reputation at the HIMF 2025 Education and Career Day.
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Topics:
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A brief introduction to the music industry in Norway, by Jarle Savio.
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Music education, cultural education and career opportunities in Norway.
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A young artist, together with an employee of the Norwegian Film Association discuss their own career choices, with Thea Paulsrud and Jonas Ulleland.
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30 October
MUSIC FILM AND SOCIAL CHANGE
“The struggle for democracy does not end with a revolution.”
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Official Opening, discussion, music, international guests, international food and film. This day both looks back – and forward in the ongoing struggle for human rights and democracy. Guests include
"Music + Revolution = The Velvet Revolution", one of HIMF's feature films, tells the story of the role of music during the Velvet Revolution, the non-violent transition from the Soviet-led communist regime to democracy in 1989 in the former Czechoslovakia.
Guests include:
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Ladislav Snopko: Former Slovak Republic Minister of Culture
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Slavomír Zrebný: Director Music + Revolution = The Velvet Revolution
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Denisa Frelichová: Former Ambassador to Norway and Iceland, 1st Coordinator for Equal Opportunities, Diversity, and Inclusion/Secretary-General of the Slovak Commission for UNESCO
Preliminary topics:
The Velvet Revolution - The role of music in times of social change
Reflections: Art and culture, with a special focus on youth and education
Challenging norms through music films
Debate: The fight for democracy: The role of music and film
31 October
THE FUTURE IS NOW
REVITALIZING THE NORWEGIAN FILM INDUSTRY
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The Norwegian film industry is experiencing a serious crisis, characterized by a decline in activity and employment. What can we do to reverse the trend?
The number of film workers has fallen dramatically, and many are considering leaving the industry due to a lack of job opportunities and increasing uncertainty. What can we do to reverse the trend??
And what about a film incentive that better serves the Norwegian Film Industry
This year, we will continue focusing on the production of Norwegian documentaries, where we will invite prominent filmmakers to present and talk about their films, as well as participate in debates about the development of the film industry in Norway.
Daily Programme
WEDNESDAY 29.10
HALDEN KULTURHUSET
FOCUS ON YOUTH, EDUCATION AND CAREER CHOICES
We invite students and others in a career development phase. Free admission.
11:00 Welcome
Pernille Elise Jørgensen, Advisor, Department of Culture, Halden
What's what in the Norwegian music industry
Jarle Savio, former A&R manager at EMI Music Norway, Head of Strategic Marketing at PhonofileCountry Manager for the distributor DMG.
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The road to a musical career
Thea Paulsrud, musician, musicologist, responsible for social media at the Music Office
Lunch
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Steven Van Zandt "Little Steven" - Developing your talent (video from NYC)
DJ Jax on the sax
Jonas Ulleland, administrative advisor at the Norwegian Film Association and musician, talks about his career leading up to the Film Association
Sondre Lerche, artist, songwriter, film music composer tells of his film Stop Time
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15:00 Food and mingling - for the students, presenters and special guests
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17:00 Film (Halden Kino)
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19:00 Young Scene Open Mic (Kulturhuset)
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19:00 Film (Halden Kino)
21:00 Film (Halden Kino)
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THURSDAY 30.10
HALDEN KULTURHUSET
MUSIC FILM, CULTURE AND SOCIAL CHANGE
All are invited, free admission.
"The fight for democracy does not end with a revolution. It is important to continue building a civil society and educating younger generations to maintain democracy in the long term."
10:00 Official Opening
Denisa Frelichová, Former Ambassador of the Slovak Republic to the Kingdom of Norway, current Secretary-General of National Commission for UNESCO Denisa Frelichová
10:20 LSROK Ung Scene performs
10:30 Music as a means of protest - a historical review
Per Ole Hagen gives an overview with examples of how music has been used not only protest oppression and create social change - but to oppress and prevent change.
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11:15 Critical reflections – Culture and Politics
Ambassador Denisa Frelichová highlights how culture can elegantly can political communicates even the most sensitive issues.
12:00 Lunch
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12:30 Film: Music + Revolution = The Velvet Revolution
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?» 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 Czechoslova.kia
13.:50 Pause
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14:00 The Velvet Revolution
Conversation with Ladislav Snopko - former Minister of Culture in Slovakia,
Slavomir Zrebny and Denisa Frelichová.
A conversation with the film's author, Ladislav Snopko, former Minister of Culture of Slovakia. He wrote the film content and also selected the historical material. Not only from the performances during the Velvet Revolution, but also from a broader world context, where music was not only a part of, but also a driving force for revolutionary change.
Ladislav Snopko is the narrator of the film and was also played a central role during the Velvet Revolution in Czechoslovakia in 1989.
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15:00 Meet our Slovakian Guests (Halden Kulturhus)
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17:00 Film (Halden Kino)​
19:00 Film (Halden Kino)
21:00 Film (Halden Kino)
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The Official HIMF 2025 film program will be announced during the month of September.
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​​​​​​​​FRIDAY 31.10
NORWEGIAN FILM – REVITALISING AN INDUSTRY
Registration fees apply. Register here.
The Norwegian film industry is experiencing a serious crisis, characterized by a decline in activity and employment. The number of film workers has fallen dramatically, and many are considering leaving the industry due to a lack of job opportunities and increasing uncertainty. What can we do to reverse the trend?
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10:00 The Challenges Ahead
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10:15 Music films in production
Challenges and opportunities for producers.We will see excerpts from the films, and the producers will talk about the their films and the development process
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TNT - by producer Dag Hoel
Span - by producer Sverre Brandtzæg
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11:30 Report from the Front: The crisis in the Norwegian film industry
Speakers to be announced shortly
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12:30 Lunch
13:30 What is needed to solve the crisis? Debate
Speakers to be announced shortly
14:30 End
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FILM PROGRAM
Halden Theatre
17:00 Film (Halden Kino)
19:00 Film (Halden Kino)
21:00 Film (Halden Kino)
The Official HIMF 2025 film program will be announced during the month of September.