diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index ea364cb..6d391bb 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -188,7 +188,8 @@ python3 movmaker.py input --preview
 - if no audio file exists in the input folder, searches Jamendo using `--music-genre` and downloads one random Creative Commons track that allows non-commercial reuse and derivative works; default query is `cinematic punk rock`
 - reads the Jamendo client ID from `JAMENDO_CLIENT_ID` or `~/.config/movmaker/jamendo.env`
 - fades music in over 2 seconds and out over 10 seconds by default
-- fades video in/out over 1.5 seconds by default
+- shows opening title/stamps immediately on a black background while audio fades in, then fades the first image/video in over 1.5 seconds by default
+- fades video out over 1.5 seconds by default
 - overlays the opening title for the first 6 seconds: large title, then date/location on one line
 - displays optional per-file captions at bottom center with slightly off-white text and a soft shadow; use `|` to split caption lines
 - adds persistent bottom-left title/date/place and bottom-right `Bubulescu.Org` stamps
diff --git a/movmaker.py b/movmaker.py
index 4820af2..d3d7c5c 100755
--- a/movmaker.py
+++ b/movmaker.py
@@ -766,12 +766,22 @@ def build_video(
             current = next_label
             total_duration += durations[i] - fade
 
+    intro_duration = audio_fade_in if audio_fade_in > 0 else 0.0
+    if intro_duration > 0:
+        intro_label = "intro_padded"
+        filters.append(
+            f"[{current}]tpad=start_duration={intro_duration:.3f}:start_mode=add:color=black[{intro_label}]"
+        )
+        current = intro_label
+        total_duration += intro_duration
+
     fade_label = current
     if video_fade > 0:
+        fade_in_start = intro_duration
         fade_out_start = max(0.0, total_duration - video_fade)
         fade_label = "video_faded"
         filters.append(
-            f"[{current}]fade=t=in:st=0:d={video_fade:.3f},fade=t=out:st={fade_out_start:.3f}:d={video_fade:.3f}[{fade_label}]"
+            f"[{current}]fade=t=in:st={fade_in_start:.3f}:d={video_fade:.3f},fade=t=out:st={fade_out_start:.3f}:d={video_fade:.3f}[{fade_label}]"
         )
         current = fade_label
 
@@ -824,17 +834,17 @@ def build_video(
         if not caption:
             continue
         if n == 1:
-            start = 0.0
+            start = intro_duration
             end = total_duration
         elif idx == 0:
-            start = 0.0
-            end = transition_offsets[0]
+            start = intro_duration
+            end = intro_duration + transition_offsets[0]
         elif idx == n - 1:
-            start = transition_offsets[idx - 1] + fade
+            start = intro_duration + transition_offsets[idx - 1] + fade
             end = total_duration
         else:
-            start = transition_offsets[idx - 1] + fade
-            end = transition_offsets[idx]
+            start = intro_duration + transition_offsets[idx - 1] + fade
+            end = intro_duration + transition_offsets[idx]
         if end <= start:
             continue
         caption_fade = min(1.0, max(0.0, (end - start) / 2))