BIMM Berlin students join Berlin Song Fest
On 8–10 April, BIMM University Berlin opened its doors, in collaboration with The Woods Norway, to host Berlin Song Fest and help uncover songwriting talent across Europe.
Thirteen students from the BIMM Music Institute were sent to participate in the event, alongside over 100 creatives from all over Europe, with the ultimate goal of writing songs for the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest. This potentially career-altering opportunity was made possible by our ongoing partnership with Berlin Song Fest organisers.
Working across three days, participants were sorted into groups of three to four, writing songs for their assigned artists. In order to promote fresh ideas each day, groups would regularly rotate, giving all participants a chance to work and connect with the huge variety of songwriters, instrumentalists, and producers attending. Each session concluded with a listening party at House of Music, where students networked with speakers and event organisers.
We caught up with some of our participating students during the event on our Instagram page.
“The sense of community and the power of collaborative music practice was just amazing. It’s absolutely amazing I am getting to make all these connections with talented and established artists this early in my career”
– Persephone Kianka, MA Popular Music Practice.
SWR and journalists from leading Eurovision blogs were also present throughout the event, with BIMM Berlin’s Events and Community Manager Jérémy Hoffmann interviewed live on German channel RBB to discuss BIMM University’s involvement.
Another major draw factor to Berlin Song Fest was the industry talks and networking opportunities with top-tier European music professionals like Norwegian hit-making legend Nermin Harambasic, and Alexandra Wolfslast, German Head of Delegation for the Eurovision Song Contest.
“I’m really happy I was able to get in. I wasn’t sure what to expect at first, but I am really impressed with how it went. I got to meet a lot of people, and the guest speakers were really cool”
– Phoebe Wang, BMus Popular Music Performance.
All participants are currently being kept up to date with Germany’s Eurovision selection process, and we are very happy to have helped facilitate such a unique experience for our music students across all degree pathways.
