2024 World Soundtrack Awards: Second Wave of Nominees Announced!
I’m excited to share some incredible news for all the film and music lovers out there! The second wave of nominees for the 24th World Soundtrack Awards (WSA) has been announced, and it’s shaping up to be one of the most exciting years yet. The awards will be held as part of the WSA Film Music Days, running from 15 – 17 October 2024, during the 51st edition of Film Fest Gent.
If you’re not familiar with the World Soundtrack Awards, it’s one of the most prestigious events celebrating the best in film music. This year’s nominees include a mix of established talents and rising stars, and I’ve got all the details to share with you.
Shining a Spotlight on Emerging Talent
The Discovery of the Year Award is one of my favorite categories because it highlights composers who are starting to make waves in the industry. This year’s nominees are especially exciting. Caroline Shaw, a Pulitzer Prize and Grammy winner, is recognized for her beautiful, intimate score for Julie Keeps Quiet (Julie Zwijgt). I love how this score reflects the theme of silence in such a moving way. Then there’s Anthony Willis, who has earned multiple nominations this year, including for his compelling score in Saltburn, which focuses on the characters’ emotional depth. He’s one to keep an eye on!
Other nominees include Jerskin Fendrix, whose score for Poor Things made a huge impact as his debut work, and Carlos Rafael Rivera, nominated for his score in Ezra. And, let’s not forget the sibling team of Diego, Nora, and Lionel Baldenweg, whose work on In the Land of Saints and Sinners is sweeping, orchestral, and just stunning.
Public Choice Award: Have Your Say
One of the best things about the WSA is that the public gets to have a voice! The Public Choice Award lets you vote for your favorite film score. Last year’s winner, Amelia Warner, is back in the race with her score for Young Woman and the Sea, a film about the first woman to swim across the English Channel. Her score is both uplifting and powerful, really pushing the film’s lead character through the water.
And of course, legendary composer Hans Zimmer is nominated for his score in Dune: Part Two. If you’ve seen Dune, you already know how epic his music is, perfectly complementing the movie’s futuristic, otherworldly setting. Other nominees include Umberto Scipione for La Guerra dei Nonni, Anthony Willis again for Saltburn, and the Baldenweg siblings for In the Land of Saints and Sinners.
Game Music Takes Center Stage
For the second year, the WSA is recognizing the incredible work done in video game music. The WSA Game Music Award has nominees that include Nainita Desai for Tales of Kenzera: Zau and Maclaine Diemer and team for Guild Wars 2: Secrets of the Obscure. I’ve always been fascinated by how video game scores can create immersive worlds, and it’s great to see this genre get the recognition it deserves.
Celebrating Belgian Film
One of the unique aspects of this year’s awards is the focus on Belgian productions. The Best Original Score for a Belgian Production nominees showcase the growing talent in Belgium’s film industry. When it Melts by Bjorn Eriksson and Skunk by Amenra are just a couple of the scores recognized in this category.
Rising Stars of Film Composition
The Sabam Award for Best Original Composition by a Young Composer is also something to watch, with young talents competing to create original scores for a classic film excerpt from The Witches (1990). The finalists are Alex Mansour, Georg Mausolf, and Florian van der Reijden—composers who are sure to make waves in the future.
The Big Names of 2024
Of course, the WSA wouldn’t be complete without the heavy hitters. Jerskin Fendrix is nominated for Film Composer of the Year alongside names like Ludwig Göransson (Oppenheimer) and Hans Zimmer (Dune: Part Two). It’s amazing to see such talent in one place, and I can’t wait to see who takes home the top honors.
Mark Your Calendars!
The 24th World Soundtrack Awards will be held on 16 October 2024, and it promises to be an event you don’t want to miss. Whether you’re a fan of film, music, or both, the WSA is always a great way to celebrate the artistry that goes into creating unforgettable cinematic experiences.
For more updates, you can follow the WSA on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube, or keep an eye out for new playlists on Spotify.
Let me know in the comments who you think should win! Are you rooting for an established composer, or are you excited to see some new faces take the stage?
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