Moodle

We’re now taking votes for Student Representatives — the people who will be your voice, share feedback, and keep everyone updated on what’s happening at Catalyst.

🗳️ Cast your vote here!

Student representation is an important part of how we grow together — it helps us understand your experiences and improve the school as a whole.

In the past, we had a representative for every group. However, since some groups have changed or merged, this year we’ll be selecting one representative from each year instead. 

Curious about what Student Reps do? Learn More Here

I’m excited to share that FEST New Directors, New Films Festival have officially announced their open call for FILMS. As a partner of the festival, film submissions are free of charge for Catalyst students, alumni and team. 

• Deadline: 2 February 2026
• Waiver code: 26FICATA22F
• Your film submission must be submitted via FilmFreeway - attached to this post you’ll find a support guide on how to do it. 

/// What are they looking for?

• Short Films (up to 54 minutes) in Fiction, Documentary, Animation, and Experimental Cinema by directors who have released no more than two feature films, regardless of age.
• Feature Films (55 minutes or longer) in Fiction and Documentary by directors on their first or second feature film, regardless of age.

Remember to use your schools waiver code for free submissions: 26FICATA22F and don’t forget to consult the rules and regulations on their website.

/// Festival dates: 

FEST will be taking place 20–28 June 2026, as per usual at the sunny seaside town of Espinho, Portugal!

If you have any questions about the submission process or FEST, please reach out to hannah@catalyst-berlin.com. 

T.A.P.E. – Transdisciplinary Artistic Practitioner Ensemble

T.A.P.E. is a student-led ensemble exploring improvisation, experimentation and collaboration. This space invites all creative performers to come together and go beyond just jamming. Guided improvisational techniques, including approaches like graphic notation, will help refine the execution of ideas and bring collective experiments to life. Sessions include rehearsals, special masterclasses and concerts. If you miss the first session, you can join later.

/// Led by Martina Bertoni
Composer and performer Martina Bertoni will guide the group through experimental approaches and ensemble collaboration, supporting you to develop your artistic voice.

/// Semester A sessions

• Thu 09.10 – 17:00–19:30 (First session, intro, hellos, etc.)
• Tue 28.10 – 11:00–13:30 (Special Masterclass: notation, etc.)
• Tue 28.10 – 14:30–17:00 (Rehearsals)
• Fri 14.11 – 16:00–18:30
• Thu 04.12 – 17:00–19:30
• Thu 18.12 – 17:00–19:30 (Xmas concert)
• Wed 28.01 – 17:00–19:30
• Fri 30.01 – 15:00–19:00 (Rehearsals + Concert, New Year’s Special Program as a weekend Masterclass)

/// How to join
Sign up HERE. All sessions will take place in the EMP Lab. For questions, contact Ben (ben@catalyst-berlin.com) or Martina (martina@ext.catalyst-berlin.com).

/// Who can join
All Catalyst students are welcome, from any school or discipline (composers, instrument builders, programmers, musicians, electronic producers, etc).

Come experiment, collaborate and create – we’d love to see what emerges. 

Music, film, Berlin & beyond: three chances to dive deep with Mark Reeder.

Mark Reeder has spent over four decades shaping Berlin’s post-punk, electronic and techno scenes – from Joy Division and Factory Records to founding MFS and collaborating with New Order, Depeche Mode and Paul van Dyk. This autumn, Catalyst students can dive into his story through a special guest talk and exclusive film screenings.

/// The Talk

• Wednesday 1 October | 18:00–20:00 | Social Stage
• Free & open – no RSVP needed

Join us for an in-depth conversation with Mark Reeder as he reflects on his life in Berlin’s underground, his work in film, and the process of restoring lost music for Andrzej Żuławski’s sci-fi masterpiece On the Silver Globe. He’ll also dive into B-Movie: Lust & Sound in West-Berlin 1979–1989, the cult documentary about Berlin’s explosive 1980s subcultures.

This is your chance to hear directly from one of Berlin’s most influential creative figures.

/// Film Screenings (limited seats – RSVP required)

B-Movie: Lust & Sound in West-Berlin 1979–1989

• Monday 29 September | 18:30–20:00 | Cinema
• RSVP here
•  

Step into the world of West Berlin in the 1980s; squat culture, radical art, punk and passion. Through original footage and Reeder’s own experiences, B-Movie captures the wild chaos of a city that inspired a generation of musicians and filmmakers.

On the Silver Globe (Andrzej Żuławski)

• Monday 6 October| 18:30–21:00 | Cinema
• RSVP here

A visionary sci-fi epic from Polish director Andrzej Żuławski, On the Silver Globe is a cult classic that fuses mythology, philosophy and surreal imagery. Banned for decades, the film has been painstakingly restored – including its soundtrack, reconstructed by Mark Reeder himself.

/// Why you shouldn’t miss this

Whether you’re in film or music, this series is a rare chance to see how sound and image collide in groundbreaking ways. Hear directly from a pioneer, then experience the films that shaped, and were shaped by, his creative journey.

• Talk: open to all (no RSVP)
• Screenings: RSVP required as limited seats in the Cinema.

Artistry Connect: Share your creations 

Wednesday 24 September, 18:30 @ Co-Lab 3

Got a track, film scene, sketch or idea in progress? Come share it with your peers at Artistry Connect. This is a laid-back space to show what you’re working on, get feedback and hear what others across Catalyst are creating.

After the sharing session, stick around to chat, swap ideas and make new connections. Whether you’re presenting or just coming to listen, it’s all about inspiration, community and meeting fellow creatives.

/// Why it matters
It’s about growing your network, fuelling your practice and being part of a community that celebrates experimentation.

/// Details
Bring a link or file (mp4, wav) that showcases your creation. Don't worry if it's a work in progress or unfinished. We welcome all forms of media, from tracks and podcasts to film, animation and theatre.

If you're still building your portfolio and not quite ready to share, feel free to bring an artist portfolio that inspires you. Choose someone from your region of the world to spark conversations. Those who just want to know what others are creating, this is for you too! 

👉🏼Register HERE