Programme
This year’s professional programme focuses on films in process and the creative and practical challenges of developing and completing a film project.
Filmmakers and industry guests will share work in progress, discuss their approach and explore the filmmaking process.
See the programme below for the latest session details, times and booking information.
THURSDAY 29 OCTOBER
A BRIGHT FUTURE:
EDUCATION AND CAREER DAY
HIMF 2026 kicks off with a free education and career day on October 29. Free admission for students and young people in career development.
In collaboration with LSROK and supported by the region and county, we help young people with be better prepared for tomorrow's challenges. Start improving your future at the HIMF 2026 Education and Career Day.
Speakers include:
Pernille Elise Jørgensen - Advisor at the Cultural Unit in Halden Municipality
Rebekka Rognøy - film producer originally from Halden, talks about her career and experiences;
Per Ole Hagen - How to keep what you create: Rights, music, photography, film.
Sverre Brandtzæg - music film producer will show and talk about the documentary film about the band Span, together with members from the band.
Francis Whately - British TV producer, director who has worked for the BBC for over 20 years. He has directed four David Bowie films and will introduce his personal favourite for to our student attendees – Finding Fame.
Movie at the Kulturhuset
FILM SCREENING David Bowie: Finding Fame - the 2019 British documentary written and directed by Francis Whately. The film examines a period of David Bowie’s career starting around the time he dropped his stage name of Davie Jones in favor of Bowie, to 1973, when he dropped his Ziggy Stardust image.
FRIDAY 29 OCTOBER
FILM AND NETWORKING DAY
This year’s Film and Networking Day will have a focus on films in process - the challenges of creating and completing any film project. Our guests will talk about their projects that include:
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Concert film about Kaizers Orchestra - Producer Sverre Brandtzæg will talk the concert film in development.
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Ole Paus Documentary in process - Filmmakers Erik Hannemann and Jon Niklas Rønning will talk about the work of creating a film about one of Norway’s most iconic artists.
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Uncle Tuka - Håkon Ohlgren talks about and shows examples from the concert film that is in production.
One highlight of the day will be the appearance of acclaimed British documentary director Francis Whately. Whately will discuss Bowie in Berlin, providing an early preview of his latest David Bowie film, Bowie in Berlin, scheduled for release by the BBC in 2027.
Previously, Whately has directed three acclaimed films about Bowie: David Bowie: Finding Fame, David Bowie: Five Years and David Bowie: The Last Five Years.
Whately will offer audiences insight into his thinking behind Bowie in Berlin, a film exploring the pivotal period from 1976 to 1978, when Bowie withdrew from the Los Angeles spotlight and moved to the divided city of Berlin to escape substance abuse and radically reshape his life and work.
The new film tells the story through Bowie’s own words and the perspectives of four women who were close to him during this transformative period: Clare Shenstone, Romy Haag, Sarah-Rena Hine and Sydne Rome.
He will be joined by journalist and author Torgrim Eggen for a conversation about Bowie’s years in Berlin and the significance of the period to his artistic development.
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SATURDAY 31 OCTOBER
MAKE HALDEN SMILE
As a city of over 30,000, the town has many possibilities for success but must improve the ability to work together to achieve both individual and larger town goals. Unity is strength!
Following the opening of event, the first 90 minutes of Make Halden Smile will have a focus on young people, with the band Frekk performing. Frekk consists of 5 girls from Halden (Emma, Oda, Milla, Fiona and Hedda) and is a popular band with youth in the area. An Americana band that started a year ago, Frekk is ready to create a good atmosphere at this year’s Make Halden Smile.
Food served by the Frivilligsentral is the «red thread» of Make Halden Smile. Each year since 2024 and the first Make Halden Smile, our cooperation with the Frivilligsentral and the food served by their members has become a popular tradition.
Concluding this year’s Make Halden Smile will be a film screening at the Kulturhuset of How Tanita Tikaram Became a Liar, an unconventional and intimate 2025 “anti-documentary” about British musician Tanita Tikaram. The film explores the artist’s life, career, and identity. It is directed by her wife, multimedia artist and filmmaker Natacha Horn.
Programme Detail
Explore the programme by day. Select a day below to jump directly to that section.
Thursday 29 October
Focus on Youth, Education and Career Choices
10:30
15:00
Kulturhuset
This seminar on Thursday from 10 am to 3 pm will be dedicated to youth and their career path. Free admission, close cooperation with upper secondary schools in the county. Part of our strategy to make educational and career tools available to local and regional students and pupils
10:00
Pernille Elise Jørgensen - Advisor at the Cultural Unit in Halden Municipality
Rebekka Rognøy - film producer originally from Halden, talks about her career and experiences
Per Ole Hagen - How to keep what you create: rights, music, photography, film.
Sverre Brandtzæg - music film producer will show and talk about the documentary film about the band Span, together with members from the band
Francis Whately - British TV producer, director who has worked for the BBC for over 20 years. He has directed four David Bowie films and will introduce his personal favorite for to our student attendees – Finding Fame.
13:30
Movie at the Kulturhuset
FILM SCREENING David Bowie: Finding Fame - the 2019 British documentary written and directed by Francis Whately. The film examines a period of David Bowie’s career starting around the time he dropped his stage name of Davie Jones in favor of Bowie, to 1973, when he dropped his Ziggy Stardust image
Free attendance for all students
Free - no booking
Youth and career opening with Pernille Jørgensen
10:30
10:45
Kulturhuset
Welcome by Pernille Elise Jørgensen
Free attendance for all students
Free - no booking
Pernille Jørgensen
Producer Rebekka Rognøy - From Halden to Hollywood
10:45
11:15
Kulturhuset
Rebekka Rognøy - From Halden, Rebekka discusses her work as a film producer in conversation with Per Ole Hagen
Free attendance for all students
Free - no booking
Rebekka Rognøy
Per Ole Hagen - Keep what you create
11:15
11:30
Kulturhuset
Per Ole Hagen on why knowledge of copyright law is important for anyone working with music or film
Free attendance for all students
Free - no booking
Per Ole Hagen
Span documentary with Sverre Brandtzæg
12:00
12:45
Kulturhuset
Music film producer Sverre Brandtzæg will show and talk about the documentary film about the band Span
Free attendance for all students
Free - no booking
Sverre Brandtzæg
Director Francis Whately
12:45
13:30
Kulturhuset
Francis Whately - British TV producer and director, discusses his music documentaries about David Bowie and other famous artists. He has directed four Bowie films and will introduce his personal favorite for our student attendees – Finding Fame.
Free attendance for all students
Free - no booking
Francis Whately
David Bowie: Finding Fame
13:30
15:00
Kulturhuset
FILM SCREENING David Bowie: Finding Fame - the 2019 British documentary written and directed by Francis Whately. The film examines a period of David Bowie’s career starting around the time he dropped his stage name of Davie Jones in favor of Bowie, to 1973, when he dropped his Ziggy Stardust image.
Free attendance for all students
Free - no booking
A Night of Jazz
19:00
23:15
Halden Kino
Film tickets also available individually
More Jazz Night information coming soon.
Coming soon
The Sound of Air — Screening
19:00
20:10
Halden Kino
What happens when a musician and a visual artist meet? Between music as sound and the sounds of nature that accompany the film's images - for mutual inspiration. The film is a collaboration between the internationally renowned jazz musician and composer Nils Petter Molvær and the distinguished visual artist and photographer Per Maning.
Tickets available online for Meeting the Director, Performance and Screening
Coming soon
The Sound of Air — Meet the Director
20:15
20.30
Halden Kino
Director Per Maning lends his perspective to the film Sound of Air.
Tickets available online
Coming soon
Per Maning
The Sound of Air - Performance
20:30
20:45
Halden Kino
Performance by Nils-Petter Molvær
Tickets available online for Meeting the Director, Performance and Screening
Coming soon
Everybody Digs Bill Evans — pre-premiere
21:20
23:00
Halden Kino
Legendary jazz pianist Bill Evans forms his perfect trio, recording two groundbreaking albums. When his brilliant young bassist dies tragically, Evans is devastated. The story follows Evans' journey to overcome grief and return to music.
Tickets available online for the Interview and Screening
Coming soon
Friday 30 October
Focus on the Process: Music Film
10:30
16:00
Kulturhuset
The theme is music films in various stages of production.
Session ticket available online
Coming soon
Concert film about Kaizers Orchestra
10:30
11:20
Kulturhuset
Concert film about Kaizers Orchestra - Producer Sverre Brandtzæg will talk about the recording during the professional program, possibly with participation from the band.
Session ticket available online
Coming soon
Sverre Brandtzæg
Ole Paus documentary in process
11:20
12:30
Kulturhuset
Ole Paus Documentary in process - Film director Erik Hannemann and comedian/musician Jon Niklas Rønning have been working on a documentary about Ole Paus for several years. They will show clips and discuss the process and the obstacles they have encountered along the way.
Session ticket available online
Coming soon
Erik Hannemann; Jon Niklas Rønning
Uncle Tuka — concert film in production
13:00
13:40
Kulturhuset
Uncle Tuka - Håkon Ohlgren talks about the Halden-based band Onkel Tuka and two sold-out concerts at Fredrikhald Theatre, the basis for an upcoming documentary. Ohlgren discusses and shows clips from the film.
Session ticket available online
Coming soon
Håkon Ohlgren
The Bowie Experience
13:45
00:00
Kulturhuset and Halden Kino
Limited Space available
Acclaimed British documentary director Francis Whately discusses his latest film Bowie in Berlin to be release by the BBC in 2027. He will be joined by journalist and author Torgrim Eggen for a conversation about Bowie’s years in Berlin and the significance of the period to his artistic development.
Whately has directed three acclaimed films about Bowie: David Bowie: Finding Fame, David Bowie: Five Years and David Bowie: The Last Five Years, all to be screened as part of The Bowie Experience
The day’s Kulturhuset activities will conclude with a screening of Whately’s award winning film «FInding Fame».
The Bowie Experience will then continue with the final two films of the «Bowie Trilogy» at the Halden Kino
Five Years (30.10 at 18.00)
The Last Five Years (31.10 at 19.45)
The Bowie After Party at the Kulturhuset from 21:30 with Tom Skjelkesæter as the DJ, spinning Bowie songs together with Torgrim Eggen and Francis Whately (free admittance for all)
Coming soon
Bowie in Berlin
13:45
15:30
Kulturhuset
Acclaimed British documentary director Francis Whately discusses his latest film Bowie in Berlin to be release by the BBC in 2027. He will be joined by journalist and author Torgrim Eggen for a conversation about Bowie’s years in Berlin and the significance of the period to his artistic development.
Whately has directed three acclaimed films about Bowie: David Bowie: Finding Fame, David Bowie: Five Years and David Bowie: The Last Five Years, all to be screened as part of The Bowie Experience
Purchase options:
- Day ticket to the professional program
- Part of The Bowie Experience
Coming soon
Francis Whately; Torgrim Eggen
Food and mingling
15:30
16:30
Kulturhuset
Free admittance, food on sale
Finding Fame
15:45
17:15
Kulturhuset
The 2019 British documentary written and directed by Francis Whately. The film examines a period of David Bowie’s career starting around the time he dropped his stage name of Davie Jones in favor of Bowie, to 1973, when he dropped his Ziggy Stardust image.
Individual film ticket; also included in the An Evening of Bowie package
Coming soon
Pause between films
18:30
18:45
Halden Kino
Take a break
Five Years
18:45
20:15
Halden Kino
Director: Francis Whately
The film explores five years in David Bowie's career which saw him redefine himself as an artist in 1971, 1975, 1977, 1980 and 1983.
Tickets available online
Coming soon
Pause between films
20:15
20:30
Halden Kino
Take a break
David Bowie: The Last Five Years
20:30
21:45
Halden Kino
Director: Francis Whately
The 2017 British documentary that tells the story of the last five years of David Bowie’s career. It was produced and directed by Francis Whately. The film uses previously unseen footage of Bowie, and commentary from a wide variety of friends and colleagues.
Tickets available online
Coming soon
Tom Skjeklesæther and Torgrim Eggen spins Bowie
21:30
00:00
Kulturhuset
Following an Evening with Bowie at the Halden Kino, join Halden’s own Tom Skjeklesæther, Torgrim Eggen and Bowie film director Francis Whately for an evening of stories and music, and a pint or two
Free admission
Free - no booking
Tom Skjeklesæther; Torgrim Eggen; Francis Whately
Burning Ambition – Iron Maiden
22:00
23:50
Halden Kino
Director: Malcom Venville
The 2026 documentary film chronicling the rise of the English heavy metal band Iron Maiden over their 50-year career. The band released their first demo tape in 1979, establishing themselves in the New Wave of British Heavy Metal. Their self-titled debut album Iron Maiden arrived in 1980 with original singer Paul Di'Anno and introduced their zombie-like mascot, Eddie. Vocalist Bruce Dickinson joined in 1981, bringing an operatic, powerful vocal style. They have sold over 180 million albums worldwide.
Tickets available online
Coming soon
Saturday 31 October
Make Halden Smile
13:30
18:00
Kulturhuset
Free for all. Food, music and film at the Kulturhuset. Bring your friends, old and young. Make Halden Smil!e!
13:30 Opening
14:00 Concert by Frekk. Emma, Oda, Milla, Fiona and Hedda, a popular band with youth in the area
15:30 Food served by the Frivilligsentral
17:00 Film screening at the Kulturhuset - How Tanita Tikaram Became a Liar
18:00 End Make Halden Smile
Free admission for all
Free - no booking
Opening and welcome
13:45
14:00
Kulturhuset
This year’s Make Halden Smile will bring us one step closer to our long-term goal, the integration of different groups and people in Halden. As a city of over 30,000, the town has many possibilities for success but must improve the ability to work together to achieve both individual and larger town goals. Unity is strength!
Free admission for all
Free - no booking
Youth — Frekk
14:00
15:00
Kulturhuset
Following the opening of the event, the first 90 minutes of Make Halden Smile will have a focus on young people, with the band Frekk performing. Frekk is an Americana band that started a year ago, took a creative pause, and now they are back to create a good atmosphere at this year’s Make Halden Smile. Frekk consists of 5 girls from Halden (Emma, Oda, Milla, Fiona and Hedda) and is a popular band with youth in the area.
Free admission for all
Free - no booking
Frekk
Food served by Frivilligsentralen
15:30
17:00
Kulturhuset
Frivilligsentral – The «red thread» of Make Halden Smile. Each year since 2024 and the first Make Halden Smile, our cooperation with the Frivilligsentral and the food served by their members has become a popular tradition.
Again, this year, the Frivilligsentral is our partner in Make Halden Smile, and we look forward to welcoming them and the wonderful meal that will be served to all.
Free admission for all
Free - no booking
How Tanita Tikaram Became a Liar
17:00
18:00
Kulturhuset
*How Tanita Tikaram Became A Liar* is an intimate and unconventional "anti-documentary" made by Tanita's wife, Natacha Horn.
Pride på Grensen is a local organization that promotes open expression and dignity for queer and trans individuals. They seek to help people gain a better understanding of this culture, and rejects hiding one's identity. Different representatives and members of this organization will be on hand as part of Make Halden Smile.
Free admission for all
Free - no booking
Representatives of Pride på Grensen