Awards
An overview of the WSA winners in all categories.
Read our most frequently asked questions about the Awards
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When do you announce the nominees?
- The recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award is revealed in spring.
- The nominees for the following WSAwards are announced mid-August: Film Composer of the Year; Television Composer of the Year; Best Original Song.
- The nominees for the following WSAwards are announced mid-September: Discovery of the Year; Public Choice Award; Game Music Award; Best Original Score for a Belgian Production; Sabam Award for Best Original Composition by a Young Composer.
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Can I vote for any of the Awards?
Everyone can vote for the Public Choice Award and the Game Music Award.
Voting members of the Academy can vote for:
- Film Composer of the Year
- Best Original Song
- Television Composer of the Year
The Advisory & Executive Board can vote for:
- Discovery of the Year
- Best Original Score for a Belgian Production
The Sabam Award for Best Composition by a Young Composer is presented to the winner of the WSA Film Music Composition Contest by a select jury of music professionals chaired by Dirk Brossé.
If you are a composer or another film music professional, you can join the World Soundtrack Academy.
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Can I submit a score for the Awards?
Anyone can submit for the categorie Discovery of the Year.
Voting members of the Academy can submit entries for:
- Film Composer of the Year
- Best Original Song
- Television Composer of the Year
2022
- Film Composer of the Year: Jonny Greenwood (Spencer, Power of the Dog)
- Television Composer of the Year: Nicholas Britell (Succession S3)
- 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: The King's Daughter (by Joseph Metcalfe, John Coda and Grant Kirkhope)
- Lifetime Achievement Award: Bruno Coulais
- Sabam Award for Best Original Composition by a Young Composer: Giacomo Rita
- WSA Industry Award: Alliance for Women Film Composers
2021
- Film Composer of the Year: Daniel Pemberton (Enola Holmes, Rising Phoenix, The Trial of the Chicago 7)
- Television Composer of the Year: Carlos Rafael Rivera (Hacks - Season 1, The Queen's Gambit)
- Best Original Song: "Call Me Cruella" from Disney's Cruella (by Nicholas Britell, Florence Welch, Steph Jones, Jordan Powers & Taura Stinson)
- Discovery of the Year: Nainita Desai (The Reason I Jump)
- Public Choice Award: SAS: Red Notice (by Benji Merrison)
- 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 Kraemer (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)
- 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)
- 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 and 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!)
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