With a stunning collection of international events, Melbourne Festival also attracts a world-class assembly of artists – many of whom step up to share their experiences and approaches for this year’s Ringside talks.

Moderated by ABC Radio National presenters Michael Cathcart, Waleed Aly, Alice Keath, Sarah Kanowski, Amanda Smith, Daniel Browning and Maureen Cooney, this no-holds-barred forum presents a unique opportunity for Melbourne audiences to witness some of the globe’s premier talents sparring on ideas and creativity, creating a vigorous space to foster a visceral discussion of art.

Thu 11 Oct at 1pm
The Aesthetics of Alienation
Gregory Crewdson
Moderator: Daniel Browning
Visionary photographic artist Gregory Crewdson (In a Lonely Place) discusses the techniques and artistry behind his works.

Fri 12 Oct at 1pm
The New Opera: a Contemporary Approach to a Classical Form
Michel van der Aa, Wouter Padberg
Moderator: Andrew Ford replacing Maureen Cooney?
Composer Michel van der Aa and conductor Wouter Padberg (After Life) discuss the risks and challenges of staging contemporary opera.

Mon 15 Oct at 1pm
In Conversation with William Forsythe
William Forsythe
Moderator: Amanda Smith
Legendary choreographer William Forsythe (I don’t believe in outer space), widely credited with reorienting ballet as a 21st century art-form, discusses his works and creative philosophy.

Wed 17 Oct at 1pm
In Conversation with Akram Khan
Akram Khan
Moderator: Sarah Kanowski
British dancer and choreographer Akram Khan (DESH) talks about his personal approach to dance, including his unique melding of kathak and contemporary dance.

Fri 19 Oct at 1pm
Pop and Politics
Billy Bragg
Moderator: Alice Keath replacing Waleed Aly?
Activist-troubadour Billy Bragg brings his trademark wit to a discussion of music, life and politics.

Tue 23 Oct at 1pm
The Text of Light group: Improvised Music and American Avant-Garde Film
Lee Ranaldo, Alan Licht, Ulrich Kreiger
Moderator: Alice Keath
The Text of Light musicians talk about the inspiration behind their project, and discuss the process of creative improvised soundscapes.

Thu 25 Oct at 1pm
The European Theatre
Thomas Ostermeier, Kristof Blom
Moderator: Michael Cathcart
The director of Schaubuühne Berlin, Thomas Ostermeier (An Enemy of the People), and the artistic director of Belgium’s CAMPO, Kristof Blom (Before Your Very Eyes), discuss the state of drama in today’s Europe.

Fri 26 Oct at 1pm
State of Art
Brett Sheehy, Josephine Ridge
Moderator: Michael Cathcart
The current and future directors of Melbourne Festival give an insight into the exhilaration and heartbreak of shepherding an international arts festival from conception to completion.