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.^[1] 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
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.^[2]

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

2024

Film Composer of the Year: Jerskin Fendrix for Kinds of Kindness and Poor Things
Television Composer of the Year: Natalie Holt for Loki (season 2)
Best Original Song: "What Was I Made For?" from Barbie (written by Billie Eilish and Finneas O'Connell; performed by Billie Eilish)
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 (season 1) and Succession (season 4)
Best Original Song: "Your Personal Trash Man Can" from The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel (written by Thomas Mizer and Curtis Moore; performed by Phillip Attmore, Jake Corcoran, RJ Higton, Tommy Sutter & Cast)
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 (season 3)
Best Original Song: "No Time to Die" from No Time to Die (written by Billie Eilish and Finneas O'Connell; performed by Billie Eilish)
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 (season 1)
Best Original Song: "Call Me Cruella" from Disney's Cruella (Nicholas Britell, Florence Welch, Steph Jones, Jordan Powers, and Taura Stinson)
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 (season 2)
Best Original Song Written Directly for a Film: "Stand Up" from Harriet (Joshuah Brian Campbell and Cynthia Erivo)
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 (Lady Gaga, Andrew Wyatt, Anthony Rossomando, and Mark Ronson)
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 (co-composed with Hildur Guðnadóttir), The Butcher, The Whore and the One-Eyed Man, and The Mercy^[3]
Television Composer of the Year: Ramin Djawadi for Game of Thrones (season 7), The Strain (season 4), and Westworld (season 2)
Best Original Song Written Directly for a Film: "Black Panther" from Black Panther (Kendrick Duckworth, Mark Spears, Kevin Gomringer, Tim Gomringer, and Matt Schaeffer)
Discovery of the Year: Tamar-kali for Mudbound
Best Original Score for a Belgian Production: Zagros by Rutger Reinders
Public Choice Award: Nostalgia (Laurent Eyquem)
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 (Justin Hurwitz)
Discovery of the Year: Nicholas Britell for Moonlight
Best Original Score for a Belgian Production: Sprakeloos by Jef Neve (film of Hilde Van Mieghem)
Public Choice Award: Viceroy's House (A.R. Rahman)
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 (Charlie Kaufman and Carter Burwell)
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 (Carter Burwell)
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^[4]
Best Original Film Score of the Year: Birdman (Antonio Sánchez)
Best Original Song Written Directly for a Film: "The Apology Song" from The Book of Life (Paul Williams and Gustavo Santaolalla)
Discovery of the Year: Antonio Sánchez for Birdman
Public Choice Award: The Maze Runner (John Paesano)
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 (Alexandre Desplat)
Best Original Song Written Directly for a Film: "Happy" from Despicable Me 2 (Pharrell Williams)
Discovery of the Year: Daniel Pemberton for Cuban Fury, The Counselor
Public Choice Award: Marina (Michelino Bisceglia)
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 (Mychael Danna)
Best Original Song Written Directly for a Film: "Skyfall" from Skyfall (Adele)
Discovery of the Year: Dan Romer and Benh Zeitlin
Public Choice Award: The Butterfly's Dream (Rahman Altin)
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 (Alberto Iglesias)
Best Original Song Written Directly for a Film: "Lay Your Head Down" from Albert Nobbs (Brian Byrne and Glenn Close)
Discovery of the Year: Brian Byrne for Albert Nobbs
Public Choice Award: W.E. (Abel Korzeniowski)
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 (Hans Zimmer)
Best Original Song Written Directly for a Film: "We Belong Together" from Toy Story 3 (Randy Newman)
Discovery of the Year: Alex Heffes for The First Grader
Public Choice Award: 127 Hours (A. R. Rahman)
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 (Alexandre Desplat)
Best Original Song Written Directly for a Film: "The Weary Kind" from Crazy Heart (Ryan Bingham and T-Bone Burnett)
Discovery of the Year: Abel Korzeniowski for A Single Man
Public Choice Award: A Single Man (Abel Korzeniowski)
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 (Alexandre Desplat)
Best Original Song Written Directly for a Film: "Jai Ho" from Slumdog Millionaire (A. R. Rahman)
Discovery of the Year: Nico Muhly for The Reader
Public Choice Award: Twilight (Carter Burwell)
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^[5]
Best Original Film Score of the Year: Atonement (Dario Marianelli)
Best Original Song Written Directly for a Film: "Down to Earth" from WALL-E (Peter Gabriel and Thomas Newman)
Discovery of the Year: Marc Streitenfeld for American Gangster
Public Choice Award: Aanrijding in Moscow (Tuur Florizoone)
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 (Clint Mansell)
Best Original Song Written Directly for a Film: "You Know My Name" from Casino Royale (Chris Cornell and David Arnold)
Discovery of the Year: Daniel Tarrab and Andres Goldstein
Public Choice Award: The Fountain (Clint Mansell)
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 (Alberto Iglesias)
Best Original Song Written Directly for a Film: "Our Town" from Cars (Randy Newman)
Discovery of the Year: Evanthia Reboutsika for My Father and My Son
Public Choice Award: Brokeback Mountain (Gustavo Santaolalla)
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 (John Williams)
Best Original Song Written Directly for a Film: "Old Habits Die Hard" from Alfie (Dave Stewart and Mick Jagger)
Discovery of the Year: Michael Giacchino for The Incredibles
Public Choice Award: Alexander (Vangelis)
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 (Gabriel Yared)
Best Original Song Written Directly for a Film: "You Will Be My Ain True Love" from Cold Mountain (Alison Krauss and Sting)
Discovery of the Year: Gustavo Santaolalla for 21 Grams
Public Choice Award: Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (John Williams)
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 (Elliot Goldenthal)
Best Original Song Written Directly for a Film: "The Hands That Built America" from Gangs of New York (William Orbit)
Discovery of the Year: Antonio Pinto for Cidade de Deus
Public Choice Award: The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (Howard Shore)
Lifetime Achievement Award: Maurice Jarre
SABAM Award for the Most Original Composition by a Young International Composer: Michael Vancraeynest