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.
See our confirmed films, topics and speakers here.
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Attendance is free each day.
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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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. A cooperation between HIMF and LSROK. Free admission.
11:00 Welcome
Pernille Elise Jørgensen, Advisor, Department of Culture, Halden
11:20 What's what in the Norwegian music industry
Jarle Savio, adviser at Popkontoret and Country Manager for the distributor DMG. Former A&R manager at EMI Music Norway, Head of Strategic Marketing at Phonofile.
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12:00 The road to a musical career
Thea Paulsrud, musician, musicologist, responsible for SoMe at Musikkontoret
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​12:30 Lunch
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13:10 Developing your talent
Steven Van Zandt "Little Steven" (video from NYC)
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13:15 Many Roads to a Career
Jonas Ulleland, administrative adviser at the Norwegian Film Association and musician, talks about his career up to the Film Association. He also will perform as
DJ Jax on the Sax
13:45 Communicating music effectively
A conversation with Mats Andersen, Sondre Lerche and Tom Skjeklesæther
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14:30 FILM: Hva vi snakker om når vi snakker om musikk? (Kulturhuset)
Director Mats Andersen introduces his film
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16:00 End of the Day's Program
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FILM PROGRAM
Tickets to the films here
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17:00 FILM: Stop Time (Halden Kino)
Sondre Lerch introduces his film Stop Time, followed by the screening
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19:00 Young Scene Open Mic (Kulturhuset)
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19:00 FILM: Mystery Man (Halden Kino)
21:00. FILM: Hva vi snakker om når vi snakker om musikk? (Halden Kino)
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THURSDAY 30.10
HALDEN KULTURHUSET
MUSIC FILM, CULTURE AND SOCIAL CHANGE
Everyone is 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.
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10:00 Official Opening
Denisa Frelichová, former Ambassador of the Slovak Republic to the Kingdom
of Norway and current Secretary-General of the Slovakian National Commission for
UNESCO together with Halden Mayor Fredrik Holm.
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10:20 Critical reflections – Culture and Politics
Ambassador Denisa Frelichová in a conversation with Per Ole Hagen highlights how
culture can elegantly and politically communicate even the most sensitive issues.
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11:00 Pause ​
11:15 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 to protest oppression and create social change - but to oppress and prevent
change.
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12:00 Lunch
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12:45 FILM: Music + Revolution = The Velvet Revolution (Kulturhuset)
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.
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14:00 Pause
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14:15 The Velvet Revolution - Music as a driving force for revolutionary change
Ladislav Snopko, the former Minister of Culture in Slovakia played a central role
during the Velvet Revolution in Czechoslovakia in 1989. Mr. Snopko s the writer
and the narrator of the Velvet Revlolution film.
15:00 Make Halden Smile (Halden Kulturhus)
​ International food provided by the Halden Frivilligsentral
Classic silent films accompanied by live music
All are invited, free of charge
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THE SPRINGSTEEN EXPERIENCE (Halden Kino)
Tickets to the films here Available individually or in a package.​​
Free admittance to the debate, all are welcome.​
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17:00 DEBATE: Bruce Springsteen - folk singer or protest singer? (Halden Kino)
Leif Østli, Tom Skjeklesæther og Hans Olav Thyvold (moderator)
Free admittance to the debate, all are welcome.​
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18:00 FILM: Garland Jeffreys: The King of in Between
“He is in the great singer-songwriter tradition of Dylan and Neil Young.
He’s just one of the America greats” – Bruce Springsteen. ​
19:45 FILM: When Bruce Springsteen came to Britain
This BBC documentary marks the 50th anniversary of Bruce Springsteen’s first UK
concert, examining the American singer-songwriter’s unique relationship with the UK.
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21:00 FILM: Springsteen: Deliver me from Nowhere (Norwegian pre-premier)
The biopic chronicles the making of Bruce Springsteen's 1982 Nebraska album. A young musician on the verge of his great breakthrough, balancing the pressures of
success with the ghosts of his past. Directed by Scott Cooper, the film is based on the
2023 book Deliver Me from Nowhere by Warren Zanes.
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​​​​​​​​FRIDAY 31.10
NORWEGIAN FILM – REVITALISING AN INDUSTRY
Free admittance for the day program.
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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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11:00 Welcome
Annette Lindahl Raakli, Østfold County Deputy Mayor
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11:15 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/Kaizer - by producer Sverre Brandtzæg
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12:30 Lunch and Mingling
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13:20 Crisis in the Norwegian Film Industry
Åse Kringstad, Director of the Virke Producers Associations
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13:30 What is needed to solve the crisis? Debate
Åse Kringstad, moderator
Adrian Mitchell, Filmkommisjonær for Oslo
Sverre Brandtzæg, Valkyrien Productions
Pål Bugge Haagenrud, FNF
Kjetil Omberg, NFI
14:30 Discussion and Summary
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14:45 End
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FILM PROGRAM (Halden Kino)
Tickets to the films here
17:00 FILM: Film om Siw
19:00 FILM: Sommartider
21:00 FILM: Since Yesterday: The Untold Story of the Scottish Girl Bands
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