For the 13th edition of the World Soundtrack Awards Ceremony & Concert, some sensational luminaries from the film music industry have been added to the lineup! Central guest is Alexandre Desplat, who will give a concert of his own music during the second part of the evening. The most celebrated composer of his generation has already attended the WSA on several occasions, but this is the first time Desplat will conduct his rich and varied film compositions at Kuipke Ghent.
In addition, living legend of Italian film music Riz Ortolani will receive the Lifetime Achievement Award. This makes him, after Giorgio Moroder and Pino Donaggio, the third Italian composer in a row to receive this honour. Along with Ennio Morricone, Carlo Rustichelli and Nino Rota, Ortolani is among the greats of Italian film music from the golden years of Italian cinema. Some songs from his films became world hits, and although the best-known titles from his filmography date from the 60s and 70s, at the time of writing this composer is once again very much cult! Thanks to Quentin Tarantino, who borrowed Ortolani's music from Tonino Valeri's spaghetti western I Giorni dell'Ira in no less than three films.
After the World Soundtrack Academy has presented its prestigious awards, the Brussels Philharmonic, conducted by Dirk Brossé and accompanied by film clips on the big screen, will pay extensive tribute to the prominent guests. Brian Byrne, who was voted Discovery of the Year last year, will also be present.