World Soundtrack Awards
The World Soundtrack Awards, launched in 2001, are the annual awards for best film music, presented during the Film Fest Gent. The World Soundtrack Academy supports the art of film music through cultural, educational and professional activities. The event takes place yearly in Ghent, Belgium with the ceremony usually at the Capitole Concert Hall.
Awards
- Film Composer of the Year
- Television Composer of the Year
- [World Soundtrack Award for World Soundtrack Award for Best Original Song Written Directly for a Film|Best Original Song Written Directly for a Film|Best Original Song]
- Discovery of the Year
- Game Music Award
- WSA Industry Award
- Public Choice Award
- Lifetime Achievement Award
- Sabam Award for the Best Original Composition by a Young Composer
- Best Original Score for a Belgian Production
Background
The award winners are announced during the annual World Soundtrack Awards Concert & Ceremony. At the concert, Brussels Philharmonic, conducted by Maestro Dirk Brossé, music director of Film Fest Gent, performs a selection of music by the guests of honour and the recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award.The official institution behind the WSAwards is the World Soundtrack Academy. The WSAcademy is an international community of screen composers and industry professionals that supports the art of film music through cultural, promotional, educational and professional activities. The WSAcademy promotes film music worldwide through the annual presentation of the WSAwards, as well as through the development of other promotional activities. The WSAcademy supports both emerging and established composers for screen.
Through the organisation of film music seminars, masterclasses, workshops and other activities at Film Fest Gent, the WSAcademy actively contributes to the education and study of this art form. The WSAcademy engages itself in the preservation of the history of film music through recordings, publications and the development of an archive.
The festival is praised as one of the first cultural organizations to turn the spotlight on film music, which gave it the status of a pioneer. It has built up a strong reputation by organizing concerts, such as the very first concert of music by Hans Zimmer.
Award winners
2025
- Film Composer of the Year: Volker Bertelmann for Conclave and The Amateur
- Television Composer of the Year: Theodore Shapiro for Severance
- Best Original Song: "El Mal" from Emilia Perez
- Discovery of the Year: Daniel Blumberg for The Brutalist
- Public Choice Award: Laetitia Pansanel-Garric for Hola Frida!
- Game Music Award: Lorien Testard for Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Belgian Film Composer of the Year: Ruben De Gheselle for Young Hearts and There Was, There Was Not
- Award for the Best Original Composition by a Young Composer: Bongseop Kim
- Lifetime Achievement Award: Philip Glass and Michael Nyman
2024
- Film Composer of the Year: Jerskin Fendrix for Kinds of Kindness and Poor Things
- Television Composer of the Year: Natalie Holt for Loki
- Best Original Song: "What Was I Made For?" from Barbie
- Discovery of the Year: Jerskin Fendrix for Poor Things
- Best Original Score for a Belgian Production: Amenra for Skunk
- Sabam Award for Best Original Composition by a Young Composer: Florian van der Reijden
- Public Choice Award: Umberto Scipione for La Guerra dei Nonni
- Game Music Award: Brandon Boone for Slay the Princess
- Lifetime Achievement Award: Elliot Goldenthal
- WSA Industry Award: Maggie Rodford
2023
- Film Composer of the Year: Hauschka for War Sailor, All Quiet on the Western Front, and Memory of Water
- Television Composer of the Year: Nicholas Britell for Andor and Succession
- Best Original Song: "Your Personal Trash Man Can" from The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel
- Discovery of the Year: Simon Franglen for Avatar: The Way of Water
- Best Original Score for a Belgian Production: Dirk Brossé for Onze Natuur
- SABAM Award for the Best Original Composition by a Young International Composer: Alec Sievern
- Public Choice Award: Amelia Warner for Mr. Malcolm's List
- Game Music Award: Narayana Johnson for Cult of the Lamb
- Lifetime Achievement Award: Nicola Piovani and Laurence Rosenthal
- WSA Industry Award: Robert Townson
2022
- Film Composer of the Year: Jonny Greenwood for The Power of the Dog and Spencer
- Television Composer of the Year: Nicholas Britell for Succession
- Best Original Song: "No Time to Die" from No Time to Die
- Discovery of the Year: Eiko Ishibashi for Drive My Car
- Public Choice Award: Joseph Metcalfe, John Coda, and Grant Kirkhope for The King's Daughter
- SABAM Award for the Best Original Composition by a Young International Composer: Giacomo Rita
- Best Original Score for a Belgian Production: The Penelopes for SpaceBoy
- Lifetime Achievement Award: Bruno Coulais
- WSA Industry Award: Catherine Joy for Alliance for Women Film Composers
2021
- Film Composer of the Year: Daniel Pemberton for Rising Phoenix, Enola Holmes, and The Trial of the Chicago 7
- Television Composer of the Year: Carlos Rafael Rivera for The Queen's Gambit and Hacks
- Best Original Song: "Call Me Cruella" from Disney's Cruella
- Discovery of the Year: Nainita Desai for The Reason I Jump
- Public Choice Award: Benji Merrison for SAS: Red Notice
- Lifetime Achievement Award: Eleni Karaindrou
- SABAM Award for the Best Original Composition by a Young International Composer: Dougal Kemp
2020
- Film Composer of the Year: Hildur Guðnadóttir for Joker
- Television Composer of the Year: Nicholas Britell for Succession
- Best Original Song Written Directly for a Film: "Stand Up" from Harriet
- Discovery of the Year: Bryce Dessner for The Two Popes
- Best Original Score for a Belgian Production: Hannes De Maeyer for Torpedo
- Public Choice Award: Alfonso González Aguilar for Klaus
- Lifetime Achievement Award: Gabriel Yared
- SABAM Award for the Most Original Composition by a Young International Composer: Ana Kasrashvili
2019
- Film Composer of the Year: Nicholas Britell for If Beale Street Could Talk and Vice
- Television Composer of the Year: Hildur Guðnadóttir for Chernobyl and Ófærð (Trapped)
- Best Original Song Written Directly for a Film: "Shallow" from A Star is Born
- Discovery of the Year: Michael Abels for Us
- Best Original Score for a Belgian Production: Frédéric Vercheval for Duelles (Mothers' Instinct)
- Public Choice Award: John Powell for How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World
- Lifetime Achievement Award: Krzysztof Penderecki and Frédéric Devreese
- SABAM Award for the Most Original Composition by a Young International Composer: Pierre Charles
2018
- Film Composer of the Year: Jóhann Jóhannsson for Last and First Men, Mandy, Mary Magdalene, The Butcher, The Whore and the One-Eyed Man, and The Mercy
- Television Composer of the Year: Ramin Djawadi for Game of Thrones, The Strain, and Westworld
- Best Original Song Written Directly for a Film: "Black Panther" from Black Panther
- Discovery of the Year: Tamar-kali for Mudbound
- Best Original Score for a Belgian Production: Zagros by Rutger Reinders
- Public Choice Award: Nostalgia
- Lifetime Achievement Award: Philippe Sarde
- SABAM Award for the Most Original Composition by a Young International Composer: Logan Nelson
2017
- Film Composer of the Year: Jóhann Jóhannsson for Arrival
- Television Composer of the Year: Rupert Gregson-Williams for The Crown
- Best Original Song Written Directly for a Film: "City of Stars" from La La Land
- Discovery of the Year: Nicholas Britell for Moonlight
- Best Original Score for a Belgian Production: Sprakeloos by Jef Neve
- Public Choice Award: Viceroy's House
- Lifetime Achievement Award: David Shire
- SABAM Award for the Most Original Composition by a Young International Composer: Gavin Brivik
2016
- Film Composer of the Year: Carter Burwell for Carol
- Television Composer of the Year: Jeff Beal for House of Cards
- Best Original Song Written Directly for a Film: "None of Them Are You" from Anomalisa
- Discovery of the Year: Joe Kraemer for Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation
- Best Original Score for a Belgian Production: Cafard by Hans Helewaut
- Public Choice Award: Carol
- Lifetime Achievement Award: Ryuichi Sakamoto
- SABAM Award for the Most Original Composition by a Young International Composer: Sándor Török
2015
- Film Composer of the Year: Michael Giacchino for Dawn of the Planet of the Apes, Inside Out, Jupiter Ascending, Jurassic World, and Tomorrowland
- Best Original Film Score of the Year: Birdman
- Best Original Song Written Directly for a Film: "The Apology Song" from The Book of Life
- Discovery of the Year: Antonio Sánchez for Birdman
- Public Choice Award: The Maze Runner
- Lifetime Achievement Award: Patrick Doyle
- SABAM Award for the Most Original Composition by a Young International Composer: Peer Kleinschmidt
2014
- Film Composer of the Year: Alexandre Desplat for The Grand Budapest Hotel, Godzilla, The Monuments Men, Venus in Fur, Philomena, Zulu, and Marius
- Best Original Film Score of the Year: The Grand Budapest Hotel
- Best Original Song Written Directly for a Film: "Happy" from Despicable Me 2
- Discovery of the Year: Daniel Pemberton for Cuban Fury, The Counselor
- Public Choice Award: Marina
- Lifetime Achievement Award: Francis Lai
- SABAM Award for the Most Original Composition by a Young International Composer: Cyril Molesti
2013
- Film Composer of the Year: Mychael Danna
- Best Original Film Score of the Year: Life of Pi
- Best Original Song Written Directly for a Film: "Skyfall" from Skyfall
- Discovery of the Year: Dan Romer and Benh Zeitlin
- Public Choice Award: The Butterfly's Dream
- Lifetime Achievement Award: Riz Ortolani
- SABAM Award for the Most Original Composition by a Young International Composer: Gilles Alonzo
2012
- Film Composer of the Year: Alberto Iglesias for Le Moine
- Best Original Film Score of the Year: Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy
- Best Original Song Written Directly for a Film: "Lay Your Head Down" from Albert Nobbs
- Discovery of the Year: Brian Byrne for Albert Nobbs
- Public Choice Award: W.E.
- Lifetime Achievement Award: Pino Donaggio
- SABAM Award for the Most Original Composition by a Young International Composer: Valentin Hadjadj
2011
- Film Composer of the Year: Alexandre Desplat for A Better Life
- Best Original Film Score of the Year: Inception
- Best Original Song Written Directly for a Film: "We Belong Together" from Toy Story 3
- Discovery of the Year: Alex Heffes for The First Grader
- Public Choice Award: 127 Hours
- Lifetime Achievement Award: Giorgio Moroder
- SABAM Award for the Most Original Composition by a Young International Composer: Gabriel Heinrich
2010
- Film Composer of the Year: Alexandre Desplat for Julie & Julia
- Best Original Film Score of the Year: Fantastic Mr. Fox
- Best Original Song Written Directly for a Film: "The Weary Kind" from Crazy Heart
- Discovery of the Year: Abel Korzeniowski for A Single Man
- Public Choice Award: A Single Man
- Lifetime Achievement Award: John Barry
- SABAM Award for the Most Original Composition by a Young International Composer: Karzan Mahmood
2009
- Film Composer of the Year: Alexandre Desplat
- Best Original Film Score of the Year: The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
- Best Original Song Written Directly for a Film: "Jai Ho" from Slumdog Millionaire
- Discovery of the Year: Nico Muhly for The Reader
- Public Choice Award: Twilight
- Lifetime Achievement Award: Marvin Hamlisch
- SABAM Award for the Most Original Composition by a Young International Composer: Christopher Slaski
2008
- Film Composer of the Year: James Newton Howard for Charlie Wilson's War
- Best Original Film Score of the Year: Atonement
- Best Original Song Written Directly for a Film: "Down to Earth" from WALL-E
- Discovery of the Year: Marc Streitenfeld for American Gangster
- Public Choice Award: Aanrijding in Moscow
- Lifetime Achievement Award: Angelo Badalamenti
- SABAM Award for the Most Original Composition by a Young International Composer: Cedric Murrath
2007
- Film Composer of the Year: Alexandre Desplat for The Queen
- Best Original Film Score of the Year: The Fountain
- Best Original Song Written Directly for a Film: "You Know My Name" from Casino Royale
- Discovery of the Year: Daniel Tarrab and Andres Goldstein
- Public Choice Award: The Fountain
- Lifetime Achievement Award: Mikis Theodorakis
- SABAM Award for the Most Original Composition by a Young International Composer: Werner Viaene
2006
- Film Composer of the Year: Alberto Iglesias
- Best Original Film Score of the Year: The Constant Gardener
- Best Original Song Written Directly for a Film: "Our Town" from Cars
- Discovery of the Year: Evanthia Reboutsika for My Father and My Son
- Public Choice Award: Brokeback Mountain
- Lifetime Achievement Award: Peer Raben
- SABAM Award for the Most Original Composition by a Young International Composer: Alexis Koustoulidis
2005
- Film Composer of the Year: Angelo Badalamenti for Un long dimanche de fiançailles
- Best Original Film Score of the Year: War of the Worlds
- Best Original Song Written Directly for a Film: "Old Habits Die Hard" from Alfie
- Discovery of the Year: Michael Giacchino for The Incredibles
- Public Choice Award: Alexander
- Lifetime Achievement Award: Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller
- SABAM Award for the Most Original Composition by a Young International Composer: Hannes De Maeyer
2004
- Film Composer of the Year: Gabriel Yared
- Best Original Film Score of the Year: Cold Mountain
- Best Original Song Written Directly for a Film: "You Will Be My Ain True Love" from Cold Mountain
- Discovery of the Year: Gustavo Santaolalla for 21 Grams
- Public Choice Award: Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
- Lifetime Achievement Award: Alan Bergman and Marilyn Bergman
- SABAM Award for the Most Original Composition by a Young International Composer: Steven Prengels
- Special Award: Prince and The Revolution for ''Purple Rain''
2003
- Film Composer of the Year: Elliot Goldenthal
- Best Original Film Score of the Year: Frida
- Best Original Song Written Directly for a Film: "The Hands That Built America" from Gangs of New York
- Discovery of the Year: Antonio Pinto for Cidade de Deus
- Public Choice Award: The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers
- Lifetime Achievement Award: Maurice Jarre
- SABAM Award for the Most Original Composition by a Young International Composer: Michael Vancraeynest
2002
- Film Composer of the Year: Patrick Doyle for Gosford Park
- Best Original Film Score of the Year: The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring
- Best Original Song Written Directly for a Film: "If I Didn't Have You" from Monsters, Inc.
- Discovery of the Year: Klaus Badelt for The Time Machine
- Public Choice Award: The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring
- Lifetime Achievement Award: George Martin
- SABAM Award for the Most Original Composition by a Young International Composer: Alex Otterlei
2001
- Film Composer of the Year: John Williams for Artificial Intelligence: A.I.
- Best Original Film Score of the Year: Amélie
- Best Original Song Written Directly for a Film: "Come What May" from Moulin Rouge!
- Discovery of the Year: Craig Armstrong for Moulin Rouge!
- Public Choice Award: Artificial Intelligence: A.I.
- Lifetime Achievement Award: Elmer Bernstein
Film music concerts in Ghent
2023
- WSA Concert
- PRESS PLAY: Music in Games
- Eiko Ishibashi plays 'GIFT'
- Colin Stetson plays 'Soundtracks' & première 'GUT'
2022
- WSA Concert
- Korean Composers
2021
- WSA Concert
- Great Greek Composers
2020
- WSA Concert: 20th Anniversary – Tribute to the Film Composer
2019
- WSA Concert
- Hollywood Nightmares: Scary Symphonic Scores
2018
- WSA Concert
- 2001 and Beyond: A Symphonic Odyssey
2017
- WSA Concert
- Symphonic Jazz Concert
2016
- WSA Concert
- TV Themes Concert
2015
- WSA Concert
- Great British Film Music
2014
- WSA Concert
- Nino Rota in Concert
- Charlie Chaplin's ''The Circus''
2013
- WSA Concert
- Scoring for Scorsese
- 40 Years of Film Fest GentThe 7th Heaven Live by Kevin Toma
2012
- WSA Concert
- 007 in Concert
- The B-Movie Orchestra
- Ennio Morricone Concerto
2011
- WSA Concert
- Maestros of Suspense
2010
- WSA Concert
- John Barry Tribute ConcertKoyaanisqatsi in Concert
2009
- WSA Concert
- Shigeru Umebayashi in Concert
- Divine Féminin: Alexandre Desplat en het Traffic Quintet
- Jef Neve Trio
2008
- WSA Concert
- John Williams Tribute Concert
- Folk Music in Film – Kadril in Concert
- Clint Mansell in Concert
- Tribute to Anthony Minghella – Gabriel Yared in Concert
2007
- WSA Concert
- Alberto Iglesias in concert
- Bajofondo Tango Club + Gustavo Santaolalla in Concert
2006
- WSA Concert
- Craig Armstrong Film Works
- Harry Potter Meets Wim Mertens
2005
- WSA Concert
- Polish Composers in Concert
2004
- WSA Concert
- Jerry Goldsmith Tribute Concert
- The Lord of the Rings Symphony in Six Movements – conducted by Howard Shore
2003
- WSA Concert
- Film Music Concert by Raymond van het Groenewoud
- Fotogramma: Nicola Piovani conducts Orchestra Aracoeli
2002
- WSA Concert: Fenton-Delerue: A Film Music Celebration
- As Time Goes By: Roby Lakatos
- Jizo and Other Concert Works by Film Composers
- Yann Tiersen in Concert
2001
- WSA Concert
- Falling: The Concert featuring Praga Khan
2000
- Hans Zimmer Live in Concert
- Ennio Morricone Live in Ghent
1999
- Film Music at the Opera
1998
- The Birth of a Score II
1997
- The Birth of a Score I
1995
- : Pietro Mascagni in Concert
1994
- A Tribute to Georges Delerue - Classical Music in Film II
1993
- A Tribute to Bernard Hermann – Classical Music in Film I
1992
- Music from Films by Derek Jarman
1991
- Michael Nyman in Concert
1989
- Film Music in Europe
1988
- A Night of Great Film Music
- Toots Thielemans Film Music Concert
1987
- A Night to Remember: Ennio Morricone
1985
- A Tribute to Nino Rota