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WSAcademy newsletter

14 - 16 Oct, WSA Film Music Days 2025

Dear [fullname,fallback=],

The wait is nearly over! In just a few days, the WSA will celebrate its 25th anniversary with a new edition of the Film Music Days (14–16 Oct), three days filled with cutting-edge talks, unforgettable concerts, and inspiring networking opportunities. Together with this year’s nominees and distinguished guests, we’ll honour the art of film music that brings us together across the globe. In this newsletter, we’re delighted to share a selection of highlights you won’t want to miss. We look forward to welcoming you to Ghent!

For those unable to attend, rest assured that we will be recording the majority of the talks, and within a few days, you'll have the opportunity to view selected concert highlights.

Guests of Honour 2025

WSA2025

The 25th edition of the World Soundtrack Awards promises to be an unforgettable night, with music by renowned composer Debbie Wiseman and two-time Oscar winning composer A.R. Rahman. They will be joined by Jerskin Fendrix, winner of the 2024 Discovery of the Year Award.

Debbie Wiseman (Tom & Viv, To Olivia) is one of the most treasured film and television composers in the UK and elsewhere. As a Guest of Honour, a selection of her determinative work will be performed during the WSA Ceremony. The day before, she will sit down for a Composer's Talk. The Brussels Philharmonic Orchestra recorded a Debbie Wiseman Tribute album for this anniversary edition of the WSA.
A.R. Rahman (Slumdog Millionaire, 127 Hours) is a two-time Oscar winner and is arguably the biggest Indian composer for screen working today. Invited as a Guest of Honour, a selection of milestones will be performed during the WSA Ceremony & Concert.
Jerskin Fendrix (Poor Things, Kinds of Kindness) was the first composer ever to win both the Discovery of the Year and the Film Composer of the Year Award in the same year. A selection of his first film score, for Poor Things, will be performed during the WSA Ceremony & Concert.

Symphonic concerts

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World Soundtrack Awards: Ceremony & Concert

15.10 - 20:00 - De Bijloke

With your votes now counted, we are excited to present the 2025 World Soundtrack Awards next Wednesday and to celebrate an outstanding year in film, television and game music. Between the award presentations, the Brussels Philharmonic conducted by Maestro Dirk Brossé will perform a selection of works by our three central guests.

→ Discover the nominees

Minimalism in Motion: Glass, Nyman and Beyond

16.10 - 20:00 - De Bijloke

Less can truly be more. The concert Minimalism in Motion: Glass, Nyman and Beyond pays tribute to minimalist film music, a style that continues to thrive through the work of contemporary heirs to Philip Glass and Michael Nyman. From its accidental naming by Nyman in 1968 to its evolution in the music of Emilie Levienaise-Farrouch and Martin Phipps, the genre remains vital.

→ Discover more

WSA Film Music Days: Talks & Masterclasses

Kick-off WSA Film Music Days

14.10 - 11:00 - Film Fest Café

You’re warmly welcome to join us for the kick-off of the 2025 WSA Film Music Days. The ideal opportunity to dive into this year’s programme and to get to know the other guests over a cup of coffee. Partners of the WSA, like Sabam and BSCG, will briefly introduce themselves.

→ More info

Composer's Talk: Debbie Wiseman

14.10 - 14:45 - Kinepolis 8

Composer and WSA Guest of Honour Debbie Wiseman (Tom & Viv, To Olivia, Wilde) is among the most acclaimed film and television composers. In conversation with moderator Ruben De Gheselle, she will share insights into her remarkable career.

➝ Info & tickets

Diversity Fires a Creative Collaboration

14.10 - 16:00 - Kinepolis 8

What are the main challenges and opportunities of pursuing a more diverse, inclusive, and equitable screen music industry? The Composers Diversity Collective cracks open the conversation.

Composers: Michael Abels, Amritha Vaz and Sandro Morales-Santoro

Moderator: Salma Mediavilla Aboulaoula

➝ Info & tickets

Negotiating in the Dark: the Composer's Contract

16.10 - 15:45 - Kinepolis 8

Contracts shape a composer’s career, but what if the fine print is unclear? This panel explores the hidden complexities of publishing rights and buy-outs in screen music.

Guests: Valerie Dobbelaere, Harriet Moss, Johan van der Voet, Aisling Brouwer

Moderator: Sarah Glennane

➝ Info & tickets

Nominees Round Tables

15.10 - 14:00 - Kinepolis 8

The nominees for Film Composer, Television Composer, Best Original Song, Discovery of the Year, Public Choice, and Game Music sit down together for a conversation about their nominated score.

Moderator: Loren Sunderland

➝ Info & tickets

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Creative Partnership Talk

14.10 - 13:30 - Kinepolis 8

During a Creative Partnership Talk, we give composers and filmmakers the time and space to talk extensively about their collaborative work.

Guests: Justine Bourgeus (Tsar B), Hannes De Maeyer, Hans Herbots

Moderator: Ben De Smet

→ Info & tickets

WSA Workshops & Intimate Conversations

WSA Workshops

15.10 & 16.10 - 10:00 - Bijloke & MIRY

Learn by watching, listening and doing. During the workshops a small group of participants gets into the studio with some of the most renowned composers of the moment and embark on a unique, musical journey.

Composers: Adiescar Chase, Andrew Wyatt, John Konsolakis, Knut Avenstroup Haugen, Mark Willsher, Nainita Desai, Theodore Shapiro or Volker Bertelmann

→ Info & tickets

Screen Music Professionals Round Table

14.10 - 19:00 - FFG Hub

This event is a unique opportunity for screen music professionals to exchange expertise and connect with peers. Topics of the evening include publicity and PR, career development, legal knowhow, music supervision and technical tools.

Guests: Sarah Roche, Loren Sunderland, Lauren Kahler, Gary Downing, David Hutsebaut, Valerie Dobbelaere, Fiona Harte, Taka Chiyo and Alexander Sacken

→ Info & tickets

Discover all the guests at the WSA Film Music Days

Go to the guestlist

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