Secrets Session 2025 was an unforgettable weekend of creativity, inspiration, and world-class magic. Over four days, magicians from around the world gathered to exchange ideas, explore new artistic directions, and celebrate the art of magic at its highest level.
Shimpei Katsuragawa
Michael Vincent
Magic Christian
Bill Cheung
Tom Stone
Tino Plaz
Rico Weeland
Lee Alex
Tristan Mory
Michał Kulik
Michel Huot
Softy David
Maxence Vire
Sara Rodríguez
The weekend opened on Thursday evening with a captivating workshop led by Tom Stone. He demonstrated how a single magic effect can be transformed entirely depending on the performer’s character, motivation, and artistic perspective.
Participants formed groups of three and were tasked with creating a complete themed magic act in just 30 minutes. Tom provided character roles, magic principles, and thematic guidance. The result was an exciting and insightful creative session — everyone left with fresh ideas and renewed inspiration for future projects.
Friday afternoon began with a joint lecture by Lee Alex and Michał Kulik.
Lee Alex presented “Better the Devil You Know”, offering historical insights, evolution, and stories behind The Devil’s Handkerchief.
Michał Kulik followed with an elegant and beautifully structured card routine that captivated the room.
Next came a second lecture by Tom Stone, who again impressed with his remarkable creativity. Among the effects he shared was a stunning routine:
Tom had a spectator thoroughly shuffle a deck and secretly place a single unknown card into an envelope — a card that no one saw. The sealed envelope was hung on a string, held on one end by Tom and on the other by the spectator. When asked to name any card, the spectator freely called out a value and suit — and incredibly, it matched the card inside the envelope. Tom also demonstrated an ingenious routine involving four signed cards invisibly traveling into four different pockets, among many other original ideas.
Friday evening marked the highly anticipated contest, featuring 13 performers from 7 countries:
Joanna Paleczka-Schild (PL)
Die Queen & der Eduard (AT)
Tristan Mory (FR)
Klaus Wiedermann (AT)
RuoYue Dai (DE)
Harry Fontaine (AT)
Adrián Carratalá & Katerina (ES)
Toni Mitev (AT)
Tibor Varga (HU)
Gregory Diamond (AT)
Olivier Mistral (FR)
Markus Billner (DE)
Morgan De Cecco (FR)
Chairman of the Jury Panel:
Andrea Baioni – FISM International President
FISM Official Jury Members:
Bill Cheung
Shimpei Katsuragawa
Michael Vincent
Magic Christian
Rudi Heuer
🥇 1st Prize: Markus Billner (Germany)
🥈 2nd Prize: Morgan De Cecco (France)
🥉 3rd Prize: Adrián Carratalá & Katerina (Spain)
Saturday morning opened with a unique and highly creative lecture by Adrián Carratalá & Katerina. They shared original ideas and standout routines, including their Fool Us performance in which a ring instantly vanishes and reappears tied to a shoelace — a brilliant concept. They also demonstrated a charming mentalism routine involving a candy prediction, among many other clever effects.
In the afternoon, Michael Vincent presented a masterful session blending classic magic with refined, modern handling. He was followed by our Guest of Honor, Shimpei Katsuragawa, who delivered an inspiring artistic lecture that combined classical card magic with classical music — a true demonstration of magic as a performing art.
Saturday evening featured a magnificent Gala Dinner created by Michelin-starred chef Kevin Szalai, perfectly complementing the elegant atmosphere of Secrets Session.
After dinner, the fully packed theater enjoyed the International Magic Gala Show, starring:
Michael Vincent (UK)
Bill Cheung (AT)
Adrián Carratalá & Katerina (ES)
Tom Stone (SE)
Michel Huot (CA)
Sara Rodríguez (ES)
Tino Plaz (CH)
Shimpei Katsuragawa (Guest of Honor, JP)
Host: Softy David (Austria)
The show concluded with a full standing ovation — a celebration of artistry, creativity, and world-class magic.
Sunday morning began with a joint lecture by Maxence Vire & Tristan Mory.
Tristan Mory amazed everyone with a brand-new coin magic system and innovative techniques.
Maxence Vire shared his brilliant work on sleeving and coin manipulation, sparking many new ideas among attendees.
In the afternoon, Michel Huot delivered an engaging and entertaining lecture filled with practical, commercial magic. Highlights included his famous Priceless routine and a hilarious effect in which a chewed piece of gum stuck to a shoe reveals a chosen card — an unforgettable moment that had the entire room laughing.
After the 2 p.m. award ceremony, the Award-Winning Gala Show featured the three contest winners along with:
Maxence Vire (FR)
Softy David (AT)
Rico Weeland (NL)
The weekend concluded with Michael Vincent’s One-Man Show, presenting his full parlor act. His elegant, refined performance received yet another standing ovation — the perfect ending to an extraordinary weekend of magic, friendship, and inspiration.
