With Leonard Küßner
In cooperation with the Münster University of Music, muensterbandnetz and B-Side Kultur e.V.
Moderation Jette Engelke
Date: Fri, 28 Nov 2025, 7 pm
Target group: Interested parties, beginners & advanced users
Film music is far more than just an accompaniment to moving images – it is a central element of filmmaking that significantly influences the emotional depth and impact of a film. In this workshop discussion with the renowned film composer Leonard Küßner, participants will gain a unique insight into the art of film composition and the dynamics of the film industry.
Film composition is an art form that combines images and sounds to create an atmospheric unity and draws the audience into the world of the film. But what role does music play in film dramaturgy? What styles and techniques are used depending on the genre? How is the collaboration between director and composer organised – and what challenges does the industry face today?
Based on Leonard Küßner ‘s award-winning compositions for Wim Wenders’ “Anselm”, Julia Charakter’s “Die Kinder von Korntal” and Franz Böhm’s “Dear Future Children”, the audience will be immersed in the creative process of a film composer. Exciting questions such as: How did the collaboration with the directors work?, At what point was he involved in the projects? and How much artistic freedom did he have? offer fascinating insights into the practice and challenges of film music.
The evening invites all those interested in film and music to delve deeper into the world of film composition and find out how music shapes the cinematic experience. After the talk, there will be plenty of opportunity for a lively exchange of ideas, to ask questions and discuss the art of film music together. The evening will be hosted by Jette Engelke.
We are looking forward to an inspiring and musical-visual evening full of intense insights!
Leonard Küßner is an award-winning composer for film, theatre and concerts. After his basic training in percussion and piano and many years of work in various orchestras and ensembles, he studied composition with a focus on film music at the Baden-Württemberg Film Academy in Ludwigsburg.
His most recent works include Wim Wenders’ “ANSELM”, Julia Charackter’s “Die Kinder aus Korntal” and Franz Böhm’s “DEAR FUTURE CHILDREN”. His solo concert “Zeitenwende” premiered in May 2024 and the opera “Alix and the Fantastic Search for Mr Meisenbär (AT)” is in development.
Küßner teaches at the Popakademie Baden-Württemberg and “Film & Media Music” at the University of Offenburg. He lives and works in Berlin.
Jette Engelke, who grew up in Berlin, completed her musicology studies at the University of Vienna. Her master’s thesis focused on the effects of the Holocaust on the artistic careers of musicians in exile. She is currently working on her doctorate about the filming of operas during the silent film era.
Jette has experience working in various archives and libraries, as well as on research projects related to film and music journalism. She also taught as a research assistant at the University of Oldenburg, covering topics like film music, French music theater, musical narratology, and the cultural history of instrumentation.
In addition to giving lectures in cities like Vienna, Bayreuth, Cremona, and New York, she co-organized the music festival femubaf (2017), the conference #espace! (2020), and the annual meeting of the Kiel Society for Film Music Research (2023). Moreover, she is a co-editor of the academic journal Kieler Beiträge zur Filmmusikforschung 18 (2024).
Date: Fri, 28.11.2025
Time: 19-21 h
Registration deadline: Wed, 26.11.2025
In order to be able to prepare the event well, we would be pleased if you could register in advance using the contact form below.
Costs: The event is free of charge.
Target group: Interested parties, beginners & advanced users
Language: German
Location: Wohnzimmer at B-Side, Am Mittelhafen 42, 48155 Münster
in co-operation with:
