Opening film concert

At the Volkswagen Halle in Braunschweig, visitors can look forward to the musical film LA LA LAND as part of the 40th anniversary of the Braunschweig International Film Festival! The Oscar-nominated film will be accompanied by the Braunschweig State Orchestra, conducted by Finnish-American conductor Erik Ochsner. 

This year, the Braunschweig International Film Festival (BIFF) celebrates its 40th edition. To mark the anniversary, the opening live-to-film concert of LA LA LAND IN CONCERT will be presented as a German premiere on November 9, 2026—the film itself is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year. Advance ticket sales for the opening event at the Volkswagen Halle has already started.

Hardly any other modern original movie musical has thrilled audiences, critics, and award juries worldwide quite like Lionsgate's LA LA LAND. The production won six Oscars and numerous international film awards—and, with 14 Oscar nominations, ranks amongst the three most-nominated films in Oscar history. The Braunschweig International Film Festival (BIFF) will present LA LA LAND IN CONCERT on November 9 as a grand opening live-to-film concert at the Volkswagen Halle in Braunschweig.

“With LA LA LAND IN CONCERT, we’re not only bringing a special film to the big stage—but also some truly extraordinary music. Film and soundtrack fans regularly rank the score for LA LA LAND, composed by Justin Hurwitz with lyrics by acclaimed songwriters Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, amongst the most influential film scores of the 2010s,” enthuses festival director Karina Gauerhof. The film score combines classic Hollywood musical sound with jazz influences—the well-known song “City of Stars” won the Oscar® for Best Original Song, and Justin Hurwitz also won the Oscar® for Best Original Score. The music also received Golden Globe®, BAFTA®, and Grammy Awards®. Thorsten Rinke, Chairman of the Filmfest Association, is also very excited about this year’s opening: “We have big plans for the Filmfest’s anniversary year. With the announcement of LA LA LAND IN CONCERT, we are now offering a first glimpse of a spectacular 40th Filmfest year!”

The film itself invites you to dream. Perhaps movie fans still remember their most memorable trip to the cinema ten years ago? It’s quite possible that, on their way home through the “City of Lions” back then, they gazed dreamily at the sky and hummed “City of Stars.”

Now, the Oscar®-winning Lionsgate film LA LA LAND, starring Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone and written and directed by Damien Chazelle, can be enjoyed in a breathtaking live-to-film concert experience to mark its 10th anniversary. The opening film concert will be accompanied by the Braunschweig State Orchestra under the baton of Finnish-American conductor Erik Ochsner. “The greatest film musical of the 21st century is a truly fitting live-to-film event to open the 40th Braunschweig International Film Festival,” said Gauerhof.

LA LA LAND tells the captivating story of Sebastian, a promising pianist, and Mia, an aspiring actress, whose paths cross in Los Angeles. The film follows their love story as Sebastian and Mia strive to advance their careers—accompanied by the wonderful film score composed by Justin Hurwitz with lyrics by acclaimed songwriters Benj Pasek and Justin Paul. The Braunschweig State Orchestra, performing in full force, and jazz musicians will play the soundtrack live to accompany the film. Verena Rast, music director of the Braunschweig State Orchestra, explains: “LA LA LAND is an extraordinary project for the Braunschweig State Orchestra. We are performing as a classical orchestra alongside a jazz band, thereby combining the symphonic soundscape with the expressive power of jazz. Both ensembles bring their own unique sound to the performance. This is not just a live-to-action concert project; it will once again be a very special film music experience and truly spectacular cinema!”

A production of this caliber—both extraordinary and elaborate—could not be realized without the active support of key partners. The Stiftung Braunschweigischer Kulturbesitz (SBK) is not only a steadfast supporter of the Braunschweig State Theater but also a long-standing partner of the Braunschweig International Film Festival (BIFF). Director Maria-Rosa Berghahn explains: “The Braunschweig Film Festival marks not only a milestone in the annual calendar of events; in particular, the opening film concert, with its unique concept, enriches the local cultural landscape in an outstanding way. We are pleased to support the opening as the main sponsor.” 

Jens-Uwe Freitag, CEO of BS|ENERGY—which is making the opening film concert possible as a co-main sponsor—is also looking forward to LA LA LAND IN CONCERT: “Few films in recent years have moved people as deeply as this one. This has not only electrified the film festival in a lasting way, but has definitely electrified us too.”

In the state capital, Hanover, too, there is already a buzz of anticipation for LA LA LAND IN CONCERT. Falko Mohrs, Lower Saxony’s Minister for Culture and Science, explains: “The Braunschweig International Film Festival is not only regarded as Lower Saxony’s largest and oldest film festival – it has also undergone an impressive evolution over the years. A major highlight of this is this year’s opening live-to-film concert event. LA LA LAND IN CONCERT is building anticipation for the entire festival week.” The opening live-to-film concert is presented in cooperation with the Braunschweig State Orchestra and the Braunschweig State Theatre, supported by the Braunschweig Cultural Heritage Foundation (SBK) and BS|ENERGY. The ticket sales for LA LA LAND IN CONCERT started on Friday (12 June 2026) at tickets.filmfest-braunschweig.de.

Opening Live-to-Film Concert: LA LA LAND IN CONCERT

When? Monday, November 9, 2026 | Starts at 7:30 PM / Doors open at 6:30 PM

Where? Volkswagen Halle Braunschweig

Europaplatz 1

38100 Braunschweig 

Tickets

LA LA LAND IN CONCERT 

USA 2016 | 128 min | Original version with German subtitles | Age Rating: 0

German premiere

Written and Directed by: Damien Chazelle

Music by: Justin Hurwitz

Lyrics by: Benj Pasek & Justin Paul

Score by: Justin Hurwitz

Cast: Ryan Gosling, Emma Stone u. a.

Conductor: Dirigat: Erik Ochsner

Ensemble: Staatsorchester Braunschweig

Produced by: Hurwitz Concerts

In Concert Music Preparation: JoAnn Kane Music Technical Services: Black Ink Presents

Show Programming: Mike Kasper