Composer Cliff Martinez received the Lifetime Achievement Award on August 27, 2016, at the 13th edition of the SoundTrack_Cologne film music festival in Germany.

The award was officially announced and presented by Eleni Mitsiaki who delivered the laudatio (honorary tribute speech) for Cliff Martinez. Her honorary tribute examined his transition from punk rock drummer to an atmospheric film composer who redefined the modern cinematic thriller. The speech emphasized his rejection of traditional orchestral tropes in favor of minimalist synth textures and nontraditional soundscapes that act as active narrative elements.

“I am honored to be receiving the Lifetime Achievement from Soundtrack_Cologne,” said Martinez. “I have heard many wonderful things about the festival and city and look forward to being a part of it this year.”

Over the past years Soundtrack_Cologne has become a fixture in the cultural calendar of the Media City of Cologne, which is home to the biggest German TV stations. Each year the conference welcomes guests from around the globe and is now an inspiration for the growing landscape of music festivals and conferences in Europe. As a symbol of recognition for exceptional achievements in the art of film music, Soundtrack_Cologne honors an outstanding individual each year with a Lifetime Achievement Award.