When does the event start?

The evening begins on 03.10.2026 at 20:00 in the Great Hall of Nikolaisaal Potsdam.

How much is the entrance fee?

According to the program, ticket prices start at 24 euros. Additional price tiers are indicated.

Is there an intermission?

Information regarding the length of the intermission is not provided in the available details.

Is the venue accessible?

Yes, Nikolaisaal offers barrier-free access and an elevator in the courtyard for wheelchair users.

Where is the venue located?

Nikolaisaal is located at Wilhelm-Staab-Straße 10/11 in 14467 Potsdam.

What special content can the audience expect?

Planned are musical highlights from DEFA classics, live performance by the German Film Orchestra Babelsberg, and an Aftershow DEFA Schlager Party in the foyer.

A great evening for DEFA fans, music lovers, and Potsdam's cultural audience

Name: 80 Years of DEFA - The Film Music Gala
Start: 2026-10-03T22:00:00+02:00
End: 2026-10-04T01:00:00+02:00
Location: Nikolaisaal Potsdam

An evening full of DEFA soundscapes at Nikolaisaal Potsdam

When on October 3, 2026, the Great Hall of Nikolaisaal transforms into a resonant archive of memories, film history meets great stage presence. 80 Years of DEFA - The Film Music Gala combines legendary DEFA themes with live interpretation, prominent guests, and the unmistakable energy of the German Film Orchestra Babelsberg.

Between Post-War Drama and Cult Film: The Music of an Era

The gala spans over 700 DEFA feature films and brings to light those melodies that have etched themselves deeply into the collective memory. Musical highlights from The Murderers Are Among Us, Saxony's Glory and Prussia's Gloria, Hot Summer, The Scout, Solo Sunny, and Gritta von Rattenzuhausbeiuns will be performed. This selection particularly shows how far the DEFA spectrum reached: from contemporary diagnosis and historical material to the lightness of entertainment films.

Live on Stage: Sound, Moderation, and Remembrance Work

The German Film Orchestra Babelsberg takes on the musical core of the evening, conducted by Christian Köhler. The evening is hosted by Knut Elstermann, whose confident voice balances the stage experience between context and emotion. Special guests include Günther Fischer, Nadja Klier, Gojko Mitic, and Jutta Wachowiak. This combination of concert, conversation, and film historical reflection gives the event a rare mix of authority and intimacy that characterizes strong cultural evenings.

Film Music as a Lively Theater Atmosphere

In Nikolaisaal, the film music gala unfolds its special effect: the space carries the orchestral sound, the light directs the gaze, and the audience's reaction forms from tense attention and recurring excitement. Particularly appealing is the announced Aftershow DEFA Schlager Party in the foyer, which not only concludes the evening but transforms it into a cheerful, collective theater atmosphere. Thus, memory becomes not a museum, but a lively evening full of rhythm, sound, and cultural resonance.

Conclusion: A Must-Attend Event for Film Lovers and Concert Audiences

80 Years of DEFA - The Film Music Gala promises a musically well-curated stage experience that elegantly connects film culture, orchestral sound, and contemporary history. Those who want to experience the magic of great DEFA melodies live should mark this evening in Nikolaisaal Potsdam.