Event agenda
Saturday, 15 February 2025
19:30 - 23:55
Avant Première Kick-Off + ARTE Berlinale Party
Join us for an informal celebration at the Avant Première Kick-Off + ARTE Berlinale Party!
Sunday, 16 February 2025
09:30 - 11:00
Warm Up Brunch + Introduction for Newcomers
Is it your first time at Avant Première? Want to learn how to get the most from this industry gathering? Join us at this info session during the Warm-Up Brunch!
2 speakers
11:00 - 12:30
Avant Première Screening Block 1
The Avant Première Screenings are the centrepiece of Avant Première Music + Media Market, offering exclusive previews to the latest music + dance films from top-tier producers worldwide.
5 speakers
13:30 - 15:00
Avant Première Screening Block 2
The Avant Première Screenings are the centrepiece of Avant Première Music + Media Market, offering exclusive previews to the latest music + dance films from top-tier producers worldwide.
7 speakers
15:30 - 16:30
Market Screening: Organ at Night
A documentary on world-renowned organist Iveta Apkalna, admired by audiences and composers. Featuring Esa-Pekka Salonen and Paavo Järvi, it follows her journey as the "queen of the organ."
1 speaker
16:35 - 18:30
Opening Ceremony
Join us for the official Avant Première Opening Ceremony – a celebratory evening to kick off our sector's most important trade fair and mingle with experts + industry representatives from all over the world!
2 speakers
17:00 - 17:40
Opening Keynote: Beyond the Frame - The Future of Performing Arts on Screen
Peter Gelb, General Manager of the Metropolitan Opera, opens Avant Première 2025 with a keynote address. With 19 years at the Met, he has championed innovation, new productions, and global broadcasts, shaping the future of opera on screen.
17:40 - 18:30
Opening Panel: Shaping the Future - The Power of Public Service Media in Performing Arts
Public service media foster diversity, creativity, and accessibility in performing arts. At Avant Première 2025, broadcasters and an EU representative will discuss their evolving role in content production.
5 speakers
18:30 - 19:30
Special Screening: Gustavia + The Black Prince
Gustavia and The Black Prince explore history, art, and resilience. Gustavia tells the story of Gustav Badin, while The Black Prince uncovers the journey of Couchi, from slavery to European prince.
2 speakers
19:30 - 21:00
Opening Reception
Join us for the official Opening Reception of Avant Première 2025.
Monday, 17 February 2025
09:30 - 11:00
Avant Première Screening Block 3
The Avant Première Screenings are the centrepiece of Avant Première Music + Media Market, offering exclusive previews to the latest music + dance films from top-tier producers worldwide.
7 speakers
11:30 - 13:00
Avant Première Screening Block 4
The Avant Première Screenings are the centrepiece of Avant Première Music + Media Market, offering exclusive previews to the latest music + dance films from top-tier producers worldwide.
6 speakers
14:00 - 14:30
Market Screening: Josefine - An Animated Opera
Josefine is an animated opera inspired by Franz Kafka’s short story, exploring the power of music and art in times of crisis. Josefine’s enchanting voice transforms her world, ultimately bringing joy and renewal.
1 speaker
14:00 - 16:00
IMZ Performing Arts Documentary Pitching Session
With our new and improved format, we’re giving creaters a platform to showcase their performing arts documentary projects to a jury of international decision-makers, for a chance to win a €5,000 cash prize.
12 speakers
14:30 - 15:00
Marquee TV and the London Symphony Orchestra - Behind the Symphony with Sir Antonio Pappano
"Behind the Symphony" offers an intimate look at the creative process of Sir Antonio Pappano and the London Symphony Orchestra, exploring the collaborations and stories that bring symphonic masterpieces to life.
2 speakers
15:15 - 15:35
Presentation: KlimAktiv - A Green Vision for the Film Industry and Culture
This presentation by KlimAktiv explores sustainability in media and culture, highlighting CO₂ reduction through eco-friendly production, distribution, and operations, with insights into key strategies and regulations.
1 speaker
15:45 - 16:30
Panel: From Vision to Views - Leveraging Video Platforms
This panel explores how platforms like YouTube transform audiovisual content consumption, offering global reach and monetization opportunities. Experts discuss strategies, challenges, and benefits for Classical Music and Performing Arts.
3 speakers
16:30 - 17:30
Market Screening: Marin + Sacred Symmetry | Music Meets Architecture
MARIN is an animated film turning Axel Borup-Jørgensen's symphony into a sensory experience, while Sacred Symmetry merges Bach’s music with the architectural beauty of Grundtvig’s Church, blending art forms.
16:30 - 17:30
Panel: Strengthening the Ties Between Performing Arts Institutions and Media
This panel explores how performing arts institutions and media can collaborate to amplify cultural impact, expand audiences, and create innovative content in an evolving media landscape.
6 speakers
17:30 - 18:30
Distributor Spotlight Block 1
The Distributor Spotlight bridges the gap between the Avant Première Screenings and the Market Screenings, offering a one-hour program showcasing new productions from IMZ network distributors and producers.
19:00 - 20:30
Special Screening: Anastasia Kobekina – Now or Never
Many dream of a global career, but what does it take? This documentary follows cellist Anastasia Kobekina, exploring her choices, struggles, and inspiring journey through a demanding industry.
1 speaker
Tuesday, 18 February 2025
09:30 - 11:00
Avant Première Screening Block 5
The Avant Première Screenings are the centrepiece of Avant Première Music + Media Market, offering exclusive previews to the latest music + dance films from top-tier producers worldwide.
7 speakers
11:00 - 11:30
Market Screening: The Kaunas Concert - Asmik Grigorian at Home
In January 2025, Lithuanian star soprano Asmik Grigorian captivated audiences in Kaunas' most beautiful cathedral with sacred opera arias and orchestral songs by Verdi, Bellini, Komitas, and more.
11:30 - 13:00
Avant Première Screening Block 6
The Avant Première Screenings are the centrepiece of Avant Première Music + Media Market, offering exclusive previews to the latest music + dance films from top-tier producers worldwide.
7 speakers
14:00 - 14:25
Keynote: A Vision of Wellbeing through Arts and Culture
This keynote explores the transformative link between arts, culture, and wellbeing, examining how cultural engagement enhances mental health and fosters resilience, both individually and in communities.
2 speakers
14:00 - 15:00
Market Screening: The Art of Quitting
The Art of Quitting follows choreographer Valtteri Raekallio as he meets retired mentor Tommi Kitti in Lapland to persuade him to revive an old work.
2 speakers
14:00 - 15:30
One-on-One Expert Session
One-on-One Expert Session allow emerging + established talents to pitch their projects to senior executives from major broadcasting companies + leading figures in the music film industry.
8 speakers
14:25 - 14:40
Presentation: Introduction to ArtWave
The ArtWave App offers easy access to the arts as a holistic health tool. It explores whether the arts can serve as a microdosed, everyday remedy for stress, relaxation, and well-being.
2 speakers
14:45 - 15:30
Panel: New Formats, New Visions
This panel explores the transformative potential of immersive devices like the Apple Vision Pro, promising to redefine audience experiences in entertainment, performing arts, and aims to inspire new visions for artists, technologists, and audiences.
7 speakers
15:15 - 16:15
Market Screening: Play it again! Looking for Loops
This one-hour documentary explores repetition, variation, and loops, examining their impact through music, neuroscience, and performance. Featuring concert and dance scenes, it delves into how repetition shapes our world.
15:40 - 16:00
Presentation: Harnessing AI for Video Production of Live Classical Music
Discover how OnstageAI is transforming the music industry by integrating cutting-edge AI technologies into live concert production.
3 speakers
16:00 - 16:15
Presentation: IMZ Academy in Helsinki
This presentation introduces the IMZ Academy Workshop 2025, an opportunity for directors, filmmakers, and digital production teams in the performing arts and media industries.
4 speakers
16:15 - 17:00
Armida Reception: Celebrating 5 Years - Armida Film
Armida Film is celebrating 5 years of exciting productions! To thank their current partners and warmly welcome future ones, they are throwing a party.
16:15 - 20:00
Showcase: Concertlab - Immersive Dimensions Beyond the Frame with Cinematic VR
Experience firsthand how Virtual Reality is transforming the world of performing arts films with Apple Vision Pro and Meta Quest.
17:00 - 18:15
Distributor Spotlight Block 2
The Distributor Spotlight bridges the gap between the Avant Première Screenings and the Market Screenings, offering a one-hour program showcasing new productions from IMZ network distributors and producers.
18:30 - 20:00
Special Screening: Salzburg Festival - The Gambler + Upcoming
Peter Sellars’ The Gambler blends post-apocalyptic sci-fi with a sharp critique of our money-obsessed society. Experience highlights of this striking production, presented by Unitel.
2 speakers
Wednesday, 19 February 2025
09:30 - 11:00
Avant Première Screening Block 7
The Avant Première Screenings are the centrepiece of Avant Première Music + Media Market, offering exclusive previews to the latest music + dance films from top-tier producers worldwide.
9 speakers
11:30 - 12:45
Avant Première Screening Block 8
The Avant Première Screenings are the centrepiece of Avant Première Music + Media Market, offering exclusive previews to the latest music + dance films from top-tier producers worldwide.
4 speakers
13:15 - 14:20
IMZ General Assembly
The IMZ General Assembly at Avant Première is dedicated entirely to IMZ Members. Hosted by the IMZ Directorate, the Session fosters a strong and well-informed network and aims at strengthening IMZ Members' relations + connectivity.
14:20 - 15:20
Closing Panel: Visions for New Audiences
Join us for an insightful conversation on bridging the gap between tradition and innovation, and learn how to make classical music resonate with a new generation.
4 speakers
15:25 - 17:15
Closing Ceremony
Join us for the grand Closing Ceremony of Avant Première 2025, an event where we conclude the festival.