World Soundtrack Awards
The renowned World Soundtrack Awards are the annual awards for film and television music, selected by composers and other film music professionals from the World Soundtrack Academy. Traditionally, the award ceremony is the closing event of Film Fest Ghent. Since the mid-1980s, the film festival has had a special focus on film music, organising concerts with composers such als Elmer Bernstein, Georges Delerue, Ennio Morricone, Hans Zimmer, and many others. In 2001, the festival created the World Soundtrack Academy and the World Soundtrack Awards to support the art of film music. Every year, the World Soundtrack Awards are presented during the ceremony and concert at the film festival.
2024
Film Composer of the Year: Jerskin Fendrix for Kinds of Kindness and Poor Things
Television Composer of the Year: Natalie Holt for Loki S02
Best Original Song: “What Was I Made For?” from Barbie, written by Finneas O'Connell, Billie Eilish, performed by Billie Eilish
Discovery of the Year: Jerskin Fendrix for Poor Things
Public Choice Award: Umberto Scipione for La Guerra dei Nonni
WSA Game Music Award: Brandon Boone for Slay the Princess
Sabam Award for Best Original Composition by a Young Composer: Florian van der Reijden
Best Original Score for a Belgian Production: Amenra for Skunk
Lifetime Achievement Award: Elliot Goldenthal
WSA Industry Award: Maggie Rodford
2023
- Film Composer of the Year: Volker Bertelmann (War Sailor, All Quiet on the Western Front & Memory of Water)
- Television Composer of the Year: Nicholas Britell (Andor S01 & Succession S04)
- Best Original Song: "Your Personal Trash Man Can" from The Marvelous Mrs Maisel S05 (written by Thomas Mizer & Curtis Moore, performed by Phillip Attmore, Jake Corcoran, RJ Higton, Tommy Sutter & Cast)
- Discovery of the Year: Simon Franglen (Avatar: The Way of Water)
- Best Original Score for a Belgian Production: Onze Natuur (by Dirk Brossé)
- Sabam Award for Best Original Composition by a Young Composer: Alec Sievern
- Public Choice Award: Mr. Malcolm's List (by Amelia Warner)
- Game Music Award: Cult of the Lamb (River Boy - Narayana Johnson)
- Lifetime Achievement Award: Nicola Piovani and Laurence Rosenthal
- WSA Industry Award: Robert Townson
2022
- Film Composer of the Year: Jonny Greenwood (Spencer, Power of the Dog)
- Television Composer of the Year: Nicholas Britell (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 (Drive My Car)
- Public Choice Award: Joseph Metcalfe, Grant Kirkhope and John Coda (The King's Daughter)
- Lifetime Achievement Award: Bruno Coulais
- Sabam Award for Best Original Composition by a Young Composer: Giacomo Rita
- Best Original Score for a Belgian Production: Spaceboy (by The Penelopes)
- WSA Industry Award: Alliance for Women Film Composers
2021
- Film Composer of the Year: Daniel Pemberton (Rising Phoenix, Enola Holmes & The Trial of the Chicago 7)
- Television Composer of the Year: Carlos Rafael Rivera (The Queen’s Gambit & Hacks - Season 1)
- Best Original Song: "Call me Cruella” from Disney’s Cruella (Nicholas Britell, Florence Welch, Steph Jones, Jordan Powers & Taura Stinson)
- Discovery of the Year: Nainita Desai (The Reason I Jump)
- Public Choice Award: Benji Merrison (SAS: Red Notice)
- Lifetime Achievement Award: Eleni Karaindrou
- Sabam Award for Best Original Composition by a Young Composer: Dougal Kemp
2020
- Film Composer of the Year: Hildur Guðnadóttir (Joker)
- Television Composer of the Year: Nicholas Britell (Succession - season 2)
- Best Original Song: "Stand Up" from Harriet (by Joshuah Brian Campbell & Cynthia Erivo)
- Discovery of the Year: Bryce Dessner (The Two Popes)
- Best Original Score for a Belgian Production: Torpedo (by Hannes De Maeyer)
- Public Choice Award: Klaus (by Alfonso G. Aguilar)
- Lifetime Achievement Award: Gabriel Yared
- Sabam Award for Best Original Composition by a Young Composer: Ana Kasrashvili
2019
- Film Composer of the Year: Nicholas Britell (If Beale Street Could Talk; Vice)
- Television Composer of the Year: Hildur Guðnadóttir (Chernobyl; Ófærð)
- Best Original Song: "Shallow" from A Star Is Born (by Lady Gaga, Andrew Wyatt, Anthony Rossomando and Mark Ronson)
- Discovery of the Year: Michael Abels (Us)
- Best Original Score for a Belgian Production: Duelles (by Frédéric Vercheval)
- Public Choice Award: How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World (by John Powell)
- Lifetime Achievement Award: Krzysztof Penderecki and Frédéric Devreese
- Sabam Award for Best Original Composition by a Young Composer: Pierre Charles
2018
- Film Composer of the Year: Jóhann Jóhannsson (Last and First Men; Mandy; Mary Magdalene (co-composed with Hildur Guðnadóttir); The Butcher; The Whore and the One-Eyed Man; The Mercy)
- Television Composer of the Year: Ramin Djawadi (Game of Thrones - Season 7; The Strain - Season 4; Westworld - Season 2)
- Best Original Song: "Black Panther" from Black Panther (by Kendrick Duckworth, Mark Spears, Kevin Gomringer, Tim Gomringer, and Matt Schaeffer)
- Discovery of the Year: Tamar-kali (Mudbound)
- Best Original Score for a Belgian Production: Zagros (by Rutger Reinders)
- Public Choice Award: Nostalgia (by Laurent Eyquem)
- Lifetime Achievement Award: Philippe Sarde
- Sabam Award for Best Original Composition by a Young Composer: Logan Nelson
2017
- Film Composer of the Year: Jóhann Jóhannsson (Arrival)
- Television Composer of the Year: Rupert Gregson-Williams (The Crown)
- Best Original Song: "City of Stars" from La La Land (by Justin Hurwitz)
- Discovery of the Year: Nicholas Britell (Moonlight)
- Best Original Score for a Belgian Production: Sprakeloos (by Jef Neve)
- Public Choice Award: Viceroy’s House (by A.R. Rahman)
- Lifetime Achievement Award: David Shire
- Sabam Award for Best Original Composition by a Young Composer: Gavin Brivik
2016
- Film Composer of the Year: Carter Burwell (Carol; Anomalisa; Hail, Caesar!; Legend; The Family Fang; The Finest Hours)
- Television Composer of the Year: Jeff Beal (House of Cards)
- Best Original Song: "None of Them Are You" from Anomalisa (Carter Burwell and Charlie Kaufman)
- Discovery of the Year: Joe Kramer (Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation)
- Best Original Score for a Belgian Production: Cafard (by Hans Helewaut)
- Public Choice Award: Carol (by Carter Burwell)
- Lifetime Achievement Award: Ryuichi Sakamoto
- Sabam Award for Best Original Composition by a Young Composer: Sándor Török
2015
- Film Composer of the Year: Michael Giacchino (Dawn of the Planet of the Apes; Inside Out; Jupiter Ascending; Jurassic World; Tomorrowland)
- Best Original Song: "The Apology Song" from The Book of Life (Gustavo Santaolalla and Paul Williams)
- Discovery of the Year: Antonio Sanchez (Birdman)
- Best Original Film Score of the Year: Birdman (by Antonio Sanchez)
- Public Choice Award: The Maze Runner (by John Paesano)
- Lifetime Achievement Award: Patrick Doyle and George Fenton
- Sabam Award for Best Original Composition by a Young Composer: Peer Kleinschmidt
2014
- Film Composer of the Year: Alexandre Desplat (The Grand Budapest Hotel; Godzilla; The Monuments Men; Venus in Fur; Philomena; Zulu; Marius)
- Best Original Song: "Happy" from Despicable Me 2 (Pharell Williams)
- Discovery of the Year: Daniel Pemberton (Cuban Fury; The Counselor)
- Best Original Film Score of the Year: The Grand Budapest Hotel (by Alexandre Desplat)
- Public Choice Award: Marina (by Michelino Bisceglia)
- Lifetime Achievement Award: Francis Lai
- Sabam Award for Best Original Composition by a Young Composer: Cyril Molesti
2013
- Film Composer of the Year: Mychael Danna (Life of Pi)
- Best Original Song: "Skyfall" from Skyfall (Adele)
- Discovery of the Year: Dan Romer and Benh Zeitlin
- Best Original Film Score of the Year: Life of Pi (by Mychael Danna)
- Public Choice Award: The Butterfly’s Dream (by Rahman Altin)
- Lifetime Achievement Award: Riz Ortolani
- Sabam Award for Best Original Composition by a Young Composer: Gilles Alonzo
2012
- Soundtrack Composer of the Year: Alberto Iglesias (Le Moine; La Piel Que Habito; Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy)
- Best Original Song: "Lay Your Head Down" from Albert Nobbs (Brian Byrne and Glenn Close)
- Discovery of the Year: Brian Byrne (Albert Nobbs)
- Best Original Soundtrack of the Year: Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy (by Alberto Iglesias)
- Public Choice Award: W.E. (by Abel Korzeniowski)
- Lifetime Achievement Award: Pino Donaggio
- Sabam Award for Best Original Composition by a Young Composer: Valentin Hadjadj
2011
- Soundtrack Composer of the Year: Alexandre Desplat (A Better Life; Largo Winch II; The King’s Speech; The Tree of Life; La fille du puisatier; Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1; Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part II)
- Best Original Song: "We Belong Together" from Toy Story 3 (Randy Newman)
- Discovery of the Year: Alex Heffes (The First Grader)
- Best Original Soundtrack of the Year: Inception (by Hans Zimmer)
- Public Choice Award: 127 Hours (by A. R. Rahman)
- Lifetime Achievement Award: Giorgio Moroder
- Sabam Award for Best Original Composition by a Young Composer: Gabriel Heinrich
2010
- Soundtrack Composer of the Year: Alexandre Desplat (Julie & Julia; Fantastic Mr Fox; The Ghost Writer; The Twilight Saga - New Moon; Tamara Drewe)
- Best Original Song: "The Weary Kind" from Crazy Heart (Ryan Bingham and T-Bone Burnett)
- Discovery of the Year: Abel Korzeniowski (A Single Man)
- Best Original Soundtrack of the Year: Fantastic Mr. Fox (by Alexandre Desplat)
- Public Choice Award: A Single Man (by Abel Korzeniowski)
- Lifetime Achievement Award: John Barry
- Sabam Award for Best Original Composition by a Young Composer: Karzan Mahmood
2009
- Soundtrack Composer of the Year: Alexandre Desplat (The Curious Case of Benjamin Button; Coco avant Chanel; Largo Winch; Chéri)
- Best Original Song: "Jai Ho" from Slumdog Millionaire (A. R. Rahman)
- Discovery of the Year: Nico Muhly (The Reader)
- Best Original Soundtrack of the Year: The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (by Alexandre Desplat)
- Public Choice Award: Twilight (by Carter Burwell)
- Lifetime Achievement Award: Marvin Hamlisch
- Sabam Award for Best Original Composition by a Young Composer: Christopher Slaski
2008
- Soundtrack Composer of the Year: James Newton Howard (Charlie Wilson's War; Michael Clayton; I Am Legend)
- Best Original Song: "Down to Earth" from WALL-E (Peter Gabriel and Thomas Newman)
- Discovery of the Year: Marc Streitenfeld (American Gangster)
- Best Original Soundtrack of the Year: Atonement (by Dario Marianelli)
- Public Choice Award: Aanrijding in Moscow (by Tuur Florizoone)
- Lifetime Achievement Award: Angelo Badalamenti
- Sabam Award for Best Original Composition by a Young Composer: Cedric Murrath
2007
- Soundtrack Composer of the Year: Alexandre Desplat (The Queen; The Painted Veil)
- Best Original Song: "You Know My Name" from Casino Royale (Chris Cornell and David Arnold)
- Discovery of the Year: Daniel Tarrab and Andres Goldstein
- Best Original Soundtrack of the Year: The Fountain (by Clint Mansell)
- Public Choice Award: The Fountain (by Clint Mansell)
- Lifetime Achievement Award: Mikis Theodorakis
- Sabam Award for Best Original Composition by a Young Composer: Viaene Werner
2006
- Soundtrack Composer of the Year: Alberto Iglesias (The Constant Gardener)
- Best Original Song: "Our Town" from Cars (Randy Newman)
- Discovery of the Year: Evanthia Reboutsika (My Father and My Son)
- Best Original Soundtrack of the Year: The Constant Gardener (by Alberto Iglesias)
- Public Choice Award: Brokeback Mountain (by Gustavo Santaolalla)
- Lifetime Achievement Award: Peer Raben
- Sabam Award for Best Original Composition by a Young Composer: Alexis Koustoulidis
2005
- Soundtrack Composer of the Year: Angelo Badalamenti (Un long dimanche de fiançailles)
- Best Original Song: "Old Habits Die Hard" from Alfie (Dave Stewart and Mick Jagger)
- Discovery of the Year: Michael Giacchino (The Incredibles)
- Best Original Soundtrack of the Year: War of the Worlds (by John Williams)
- Best Young Belgian Composer: Hannes De Maeyer
- Public Choice Award: Alexander (by Vangelis)
- Lifetime Achievement Award: Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller
- Sabam Award for Best Original Composition by a Young Composer: Hannes De Maeyer
2004
- Film Composer of the Year: Gabriel Yared (Cold Mountain)
- Best Original Song: "You Will Be My Ain True Love" from Cold Mountain (Alison Krauss and Sting)
- Discovery of the Year: Gustavo Santaolalla (21 Grams)
- Best Original Soundtrack of the Year: Cold Mountain (by Gabriel Yared)
- Soundtrack Composer of the Year: Gabriel Yared (Cold Mountain)
- Best Young Belgian Composer: Steven Prengels
- Public Choice Award: Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (by John Williams)
- Lifetime Achievement Award: Alan Bergman and Marilyn Bergman
- Sabam Award for Best Original Composition by a Young Composer: Steven Prengels
2003
- Soundtrack Composer of the Year: Elliot Goldenthal (Frida)
- Best Original Song: "The Hands That Built America" from Gangs of New York (William Orbit)
- Discovery of the Year: Antonio Pinto (Cidade de Deus)
- Best Original Soundtrack of the Year: Frida (by Elliot Goldenthal)
- Public Choice Award: The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (by Howard Shore)
- Lifetime Achievement Award: Maurice Jarre
- Sabam Award for Best Original Composition by a Young Composer: Michael Vancraeynest
2002
- Soundtrack Composer of the Year: Patrick Doyle (Gosford Park)
- Best Original Song: "If I Didn't Have You" from Monsters, Inc. (Randy Newman)
- Discovery of the Year: Klaus Badelt (The Time Machine)
- Best Original Soundtrack of the Year: The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (by Howard Shore)
- Public Choice Award: The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (by Howard Shore)
- Lifetime Achievement Award: George Martin
- Sabam Award for Best Original Composition by a Young Composer: Alex Otterlei
2001
- Soundtrack Composer of the Year: John Williams (A.I.: Artificial Intelligence)
- Best Original Song: "Come What May" from Moulin Rouge! (David Baerwald en Kevin Gilbert)
- Discovery of the Year: Craig Armstrong (Moulin Rouge!)
- Best Original Soundtrack of the Year: Le fabuleux destin d'Amélie Poulain (by Yann Tiersen)
- Best Original Score of the Year Not Released on an Album: Bridget Jones's Diary (by Patrick Doyle)
- Public Choice Award: Artificial Intelligence: A.I. (by John Williams)
- Lifetime Achievement Award: Elmer Bernstein
- Most Creative Use of Existing Material on a Soundtrack: Baz Luhrmann, Craig Armstrong, Marius De Vries (Moulin Rouge!)