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WSAcademy newsletter

19 - 21 Oct, WSA Film Music Days 2023

Dear [fullname,fallback=]

We're filled with excitement about the upcoming WSA Film Music Days in Ghent this week! For three days (from 19 until 21 October), participants can indulge in stimulating discussions, enchanting music, and valuable connections, all leading up to a memorable evening celebrating our shared love for film music: the 23rd edition of the World Soundtrack Awards. We can't wait to welcome those who can join us for this fantastic event!

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.

Discover the full programme

WSA Film Music Days

Guests of Honour 2023

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The 23rd edition of the World Soundtrack Awards crowns two grandmasters of the world of film music: Laurence Rosenthal and Nicola Piovani. They will be joined by Eiko Ishibashi, winner of the Discovery of the Year award 2022.

Laurence Rosenthal, with a career spanning over six decades, composed for over a hundred films and TV shows. Notable works include Oscar-nominated scores for Becket (1964) and Man of La Mancha (1972), as well as iconic TV series like The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles and Fantasy Island (1977). He is set to receive a Lifetime Achievement Award at the 23rd edition of the World Soundtrack Awards.
Italian composer Nicola Piovani, known for his Oscar-winning score for La vita è bella, will receive a Lifetime Achievement Award as well. The prize recognises his outstanding contribution to film music and will be presented on 21 October 2023, concluding the festival.
Eiko Ishibashi, the 2022 Discovery of the Year Award winner, is known for her mesmerizing jazzy score for Drive My Car (2021). A versatile artist, she has created acclaimed music for films, albums, and exhibitions, and her work will be showcased at this year's World Soundtrack Awards.

World Soundtrack Awards Ceremony & Concert

Sat 21.10 - 20:00 - Capitole Ghent

Having tallied your votes, we're excited to unveil the 2023 WSAwards this Saturday. We eagerly anticipate the presence of nominees and special guests, with Tommy Pearson returning as host. The awards presented this Saturday are:

The SABAM Award for Best Original Composition by a Young Composer
Best Original Song
Discovery of the Year
Best Original Score for a Belgian Production
Public Choice Award
Television Composer of the Year
Film Composer of the Year

The WSA Industry Award will be presented at the WSA Dinner Friday evening and the WSA Game Award will be presented at the PRESS PLAY: Music in Games concert on Thursday.

→ You can discover the nominees here.
→ You can find the winners of previous years here.

→ Tickets & info

PRESS PLAY: Music in Games

Thu 19.10 - 20:00 - Capitole Ghent

Game music anno 2023 has become an art in its own right, playing a crucial role in immersing players in virtual worlds and accompanying the story. With fewer and fewer composers distinguishing between composing for films, series or video games, the World Soundtrack Awards want to acknowledge the invaluable contributions of composers who create music for video games. That's why the WSA Academy has launched a new award award that celebrates the best original score for a video game and/or other interactive media: the WSA Game Music Award.

The prize will be awarded to a composer chosen by the public during the PRESS PLAY: Music in Games concert on Thursday 19 October. This concert is devoted entirely to game music. Scores from Assassin's Creed to Zelda will be performed by Brussels Philharmonic conducted by Dirk Brossé and assisted by Vlaams Radiokoor.

→ Find out more

WSA Film Music Days: Panels

Streamers in Europe: The Myths and The Legends.

Fri 20.10 - 10:30 - Kinepolis 8

Panel: Quentin Boniface, Hannes De Maeyer, Chantelle Woodnutt, David Hutsebaut, Volker Bertelmann
Moderator: Anselm Kreutzer

Since the success of the Spanish spoken, Oscar-winning film Roma, Netflix has pursued its ambition to create increasingly more locally made films and series, and has engaged European composers like Volker Bertelmann and Alexandre Desplat for their projects. With growing influence, questions and concerns arise.

→ Read more

WSA Film Music Days Composers Talk with Mark Isham2

Music Supervisors: Gatekeepers or Opportunity Makers?

Fri 20.10 - 13u30 - Kinepolis 8

Panel: Milena Fessmann, Tracy McKnight, Rupert Hollier, Mounir Hathout
Moderator: Tommy Pearson

In close collaboration with directors and producers, music supervisors determine what kind of score completes the film, series or video game. How do they find a balance between choosing for familiar faces or taking a risk and engaging young new voices?

→ Read more

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Join the conversation, Change the game

Fri 20.10 - 14:45 - Kinepolis 8

Panel: Nainita Dasai, Stephen Barton, Stephanie Economou, Gordy Haab, Austin Wintory, Katie Rupinski, Stephanie Economou, Steve Schnur (online)
Moderator: Shalini Singh (EA Music)

Two panel discussions on the past, present, and future of music composition for Interactive Media.

→ Read more

Creative Partnership: Ryûsuke Hamaguchi and Eiko Ishibashi

Fri 20.10 - 16u30 - Kinepolis 8

Moderator: Taka Chiyo

The creative collaborations between composers and filmmakers regularly lead to the most intriguing oeuvres. With Creative Partnerships, we shine the spotlight on exceptional collaborations between director and composer.

→ Read more

World Premiere - 'GIFT': Eiko Ishibashi x Ryûsuke Hamaguchi

18.10 - 20:00 - Vooruit-Theaterzaal

Composer Eiko Ishibashi presents her new collaboration with director Ryûsuke Hamaguchi, called GIFT: a film supported by Ishibashi's dynamic live performance. GIFT originated in parallel with Hamaguchi's latest full-length feature Evil Does Not Exist, which saw the light of day after Ishibashi asked the director to create images to accompany her music. Evil Does Not Exist won the Grand Jury Prize at the 80th Venice Film Festival. GIFT will have its world premiere in Ghent and then tour Europe.

➝ Read more

FFG Sessions: Eiko Ishibashi

Created in collaboration with KASK & Conservatory, FFG Sessions are short recorded concerts in the intimate setting of the MIRY Concertzaal in Ghent. Composers for screen present their work and perform together with the students of KASK & Conservatory. Arranged for a small ensemble, the music is performed by the students after a hands-on rehearsal with the composer. The first FFG Sessions composer is Eiko Ishibashi.

Watch the FFG Session with Eiko Ishibashi 👇

Laurence Rosenthal: Music for Film and Television

Film Fest Gent is proud to present Laurence Rosenthal: Music for Film and Television, a 2023 album featuring new recordings of Rosenthal's iconic scores performed by the Brussels Philharmonic. The album highlights suites from acclaimed films and TV series like "The Miracle Worker," "Becket," and "The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles." Released during Film Fest Gent's 50th anniversary, the album continues the festival's tradition of preserving exceptional film music.

→ Find out more and/or preorder the album here.

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