November 17-26
Musique d'Écran
Explore the NIMFA 2026 Programme
NIMFA 2026
In 2026, NIMFA (Nice International Music Festival and Academy) explores cinema as a creative space where image and sound engage in dialogue, through a programme dedicated to contemporary music and interdisciplinary forms.
Organised by 3IMC, the festival takes place across several landmark venues in the region. The Conservatoire de Nice serves as the hub for concerts, world premieres, residencies and the activities of the NIMAcademy, which supports a new generation of composers over six months. The Théâtre Francis-Gag hosts film concerts for young audiences and families. The Centre Universitaire Méditerranéen presents programmes combining mixed music and film concerts. At the Campus Georges Méliès in Cannes, a one-day symposium and roundtable discussions bring together researchers, composers, filmmakers and industry professionals to explore “arthouse music” and film concerts as a form of live performance.
Bringing together professional ensembles, established composers, emerging artists and students, NIMFA creates a dialogue between major works from the repertoire, new compositions, music for the screen and artistic research. NIMFA is a place for creation, learning and reflection, where cinema becomes an active partner in musical composition and a catalyst for encounters between artists, audiences and disciplines.
Tue 17.11
PRE-CONCERT
Duo Cunci & Ziegler
INSPIRATIONS
The musicians discuss their creative process and the sources of inspiration behind their work for young audiences.
Duo Cunci & Ziegler
YOUNG AUDIENCES CINE-CONCERT
18:00 | Théâtre Francis-Gag
FABULEUSES INTRÉPIDES
Fearless heroines, extraordinary adventures, and live music: embark on a film concert full of humour, surprises, and emotion!
Duo Cunci & Ziegler
PRE-CONCERT
19:30 | Théâtre Francis-Gag
INSPIRATIONS
An introduction to Foley and the art of creating live sound effects, presented before the ciné-concert Fresh Man.
Duo Coceano & Lagodzki
CINE-CONCERT
20:00 | Théâtre Francis-Gag
THE FRESHMAN
A clumsy student, crazy challenges and lots of laughs: discover The Freshman, a hilarious and energetic live cinema concert!
Duo Coceano & Lagodzki
Thu 19.11.
19:00 | Auditorium Joseph Kosma
L’ŒIL ET L’OREILLE
Four works invite audiences to see sound as well as hear it, exploring the interplay of music, cinema, resonance, colour, movement and space.
Ensemble Mêtis
CONCERT & CINE-CONCERT
Tue 24.11.
19:00 | Auditorium Joseph Kosma
DIALOG I
An immersive evening of new music bringing together chamber works and musical theatre.
Ensemble Mêtis
CONCERT & CINE-CONCERT
Wed 25.11.
CONFERENCE AND ROUND-TABLE
10:00 | Campus Georges Méliès, Cannes
ART-HOUSE MUSIC?
Can music have its own art-house model? A discussion on artistic research, experimentation, creative risk and how adventurous new works can be better supported.
TBD
CONFERENCE AND ROUND-TABLE
14:00 | Campus Georges Méliès, Cannes
LIVE PERFORMANCE AND THE MOVING IMAGE
A study day exploring musical creation, live performance and the moving image through talks, panel discussions and a concert featuring new works by emerging composers.
TBD
Thu 26.11.
18:00 | Centre Universitaire Méditerranéen
VOYAGE DANS LA LUNE
From Méliès to Fleischer, TrioPolycordes brings silent cinema to life through shimmering strings, electronics and bold new musical visions.
Trio Polycordes
CONCERT & CINE-CONCERT
19:30 | Centre Universitaire Méditerranéen
INSPIRATIONS
Martin Matalon and Santiago Quintans explore composed music, improvisation and cinema, discussing how music interacts with images and makes film a creative partner.
Martin Matalon and Santiago Quintans
PRE-CONCERT
20:00 | Centre Universitaire Méditerranéen
DIALOG II
Ensemble Mêtis brings instruments, electronics and experimental cinema into dialogue, where images begin to resonate and music opens new ways of seeing.
Ensemble Mêtis
CONCERT & CINE-CONCERT
NIMFA 2026 benefits from the support of:
Duo Cunci & Ziegler
Duo Coceano & Lagodzki
