| Film Fest Gent proudly presents the programme of the 2024 WSA Film Music Days, from 15 until 17 October. Lifetime Achievement Award recipient Elliot Goldenthal (Frida, Alien³, Batman Forever) will look back at the milestones of his career during a unique Composer’s Talk, followed by a Creative Partnership Talk with director Julie Taymor. In conversation with Natalie Holt, The Crown composer Martin Phipps discusses the highlights of his oeuvre and gives insight in his creative process. Introducing two new concepts, the WSA invites award-winning composers like Nainita Desai (Nautilus, Tales of Kenzera: ZAU) and Simon Franglen (Avatar: The Way of Water) to engage in the WSA Workshops and WSA Intimate Conversations. The WSA Film Music Days offer a peek behind the scenes of the film music world. Filled with panel discussions, interviews, and masterclasses, these talks are a great way to get to know the faces behind the scores we all love. The events explore how the film music industry operates and faces current changes and challenges. Hoping to spark new ideas and surprising encounters, the WSA introduces two new, small-scale concepts. During the WSA Workshops composers like Simon Franglen and Jeff Russo get into the studio with a small group, and embark on a unique, musical journey through the creative-technical process that is at the heart of their scores. During the WSA Intimate Conversations a small number of participants are invited to engage with experienced composers like Nainita Desai and Anthony Willis, who share their personal views on the art of film, television and game scoring. In the evenings of the WSA Film Music Days, two world class concerts reflect the best the film music industry has to offer. Besides the annual World Soundtrack Awards Ceremony & Concert, Film Fest Gent proudly presents the James Horner Tribute Concert, which will conclude the 24th edition. |
| Overview Tuesday 15 October 10:00 – Kick-off WSA Film Music Days 11:00 – Composer’s Talk: Philippe Rombi 14:00 – Capacity Triangle Panel: Composing in the Age of AI: Legal Challenges in Modern Film Scoring 15:30 – Composer’s Talk: Martin Phipps Wednesday 16 October 10:00 – Workshop with Simon Franglen 10:00 – Workshop with Jeff Russo 10:00 – Intimate Conversation with Anthony Willis 10:00 – Intimate Conversation with Carlos Rafael Rivera 12:30 – WSA Meet & Greet 14:00 – WSA Nominees Round Table 20:00 – World Soundtrack Awards Ceremony & Concert Thursday 17 October 10:00 – Workshop with Simon Franglen 10:00 – Workshop with Natalie Holt10:00 – Intimate Conversation with Nainita Desai 10:00 – Intimate Conversation with Maclaine Diemer 14:30 – Composer’s Talk: Elliot Goldenthal15:30 – Creative Partnership Talk: Elliot Goldenthal and Julie Taymor 16:30 – James Horner: Autism and the Creative Process: a Discussion with his Widow, Sara Horner 20:00 – James Horner Tribute Concert |
| Tuesday 15 October 11:00-12:30 – Composer’s Talk: Philippe Rombi Moderator: Pascale Vanlerberghe (RTBF, journalist) Composer of Palme D’Or winners Swimming Pool en Jeune et jolie, Philippe Rombi talks us through the milestones of his career and gives insight into his creative process. A selection of his work will be performed by the Brussels Philharmonic conducted by Dirk Brossé during the 24th WSA Ceremony & Concert, where he will be present as WSA Guest of Honour. 14:00-15:15 – Capacity Triangle Panel: Composing in the Age of AI: Legal Challenges in Modern Film Scoring Moderator: Anselm Kreuzer (composer, music producer) In the current web of uncertainty, at least one thing is clear: AI’s rapid development poses many new legal issues. There is strong evidence that AI services have been trained on copyrighted music without consent, and this calls for new legislation. The current EU Artificial Intelligence Act looks at the future, but does not provide concrete solutions to address the fact that creators’ works have already been used without their consent, transparency or remuneration. The outlook for composers remains murky and complex. Panellists: Jesper Hensen (composer, Nevesta), Jozefien Vanherpe (professor intellectual property law KU Leuven) 15:30-17:00 – Composer’s Talk: Martin Phipps Moderator: Natalie Holt (composer, Loki, Obi-Wan Kenobi) After inheriting the musical legacy of the award winning series The Crown, Martin Phipps impressed both fans and critics. During this one-on-one conversation, moderated by fellow composer and friend Natalie Holt, the British composer discusses the highlights of his flourishing career, looking back on series like Peaky Blinders, Black Mirror and The Crown. His score for the sixth season of this royal drama earned him a nomination for the WSAward Television Composer of the Year, presented at the 24th WSA Ceremony & Concert. |
| Wednesday 16 October 10:00-12:00 – Workshop with Simon Franglen In the mixing studio’s of KASK, Ghent’s most prolific conservatory, Simon Franglen deconstructs the creative-technical process that is at the heart of his award-winning scores for Avatar: The Way of Water and The Magnificent Seven. 10:00-12:00 – Workshop with Jeff Russo During an exclusive masterclass a small group of participants dives into the studio together with Jeff Russo (Fargo, Ripley), and embark on a unique, musical journey. 10:00-11:30 – Intimate Conversation with Anthony Willis Enlightening the personal stories and beliefs behind his award winning scores for Promising Young Woman and Saltburn, Anthony Willis engages in an intimate conversation with a small group of participants. 10:00-11:30 – Intimate Conversation with Carlos Rafael Rivera Grammy and Emmy winning composer Carlos Rafael Rivera (Lessons in Chemistry, Ezra) shares his personal views on the art of film and television scoring with a small group of participants. 12:30-13:30 – WSA Meet & Greet The World Soundtrack Awards nominees and special guests are present for a Meet & Greet with their fans. 14:00-17:00 – WSA Nominees Round Table Moderator: Mark Salisbury (Screen International) The World Soundtrack Award Nominees, including Jerskin Fendrix, Natalie Holt and Anthony Willis, sit down together for a conversation about their nominated scores. 20:00 – World Soundtrack Awards Ceremony & Concert At the 24th edition of the World Soundtrack Awards Ceremony & Concert the winners of the prestigious World Soundtrack Awards will be announced. American composer Elliot Goldenthal will receive a Lifetime Achievement Award for his extensive oeuvre. A selection of his work will be performed by the Brussels Philharmonic conducted by Dirk Brossé, alongside the work of the 2023 Discovery of the Year winner Simon Franglen and guest of honour Philippe Rombi. The trio will be present at the concert. |
| Thursday 17 October 10:00-12:00 – Workshop with Simon Franglen In the mixing studio’s of KASK, Simon Franglen deconstructs the creative-technical process that is at the heart of his award-winning scores for Avatar: The Way of Water and The Magnificent Seven. 10:00-12:00 – Workshop with Natalie Holt In the KASK mixing and recording studio’s Natalie Holt explores the technical horizon of her awarded scores for Loki and Obi-Wan Kenobi and shares tips and tricks that are immediately applicable to your own work. 10:00-11:30 - Intimate Conversation with Nainita Desai Starting from her own experience, Nainita Desai (Nautilus, Tales of Kenzera: ZAU) initiates an intimate dialogue that touches upon a variety of themes, as broad as the scoring industry itself. 10:00-11:30 – Intimate Conversation with Maclaine Diemer Inspired by the interests and questions of the participants, multi-branched composer Maclaine Diemer (Guild Wars 2, Firmament) starts a conversation that flows organically from one topic to the next. 14:30-15:15 – Composer’s Talk: Elliot Goldenthal Moderator: Ruben De Gheselle (composer, Clara Sola) Looking back at his rich oeuvre, Elliot Goldenthal talks us through the creative process that has led to award-winning scores like Frida, Alien³ and Batman Forever. A selection of his work will be performed by the Brussels Philharmonic conducted by Dirk Brossé during the 24th WSA Ceremony & Concert, where he will receive the WSA Lifetime Achievement Award. 15:30-16:15 – Creative Partnership Talk: Elliot Goldenthal and Julie Taymor Moderator: Ruben De Gheselle (composer, Clara Sola) Immediately following his one-on-one Composer’s Talk, WSA Lifetime Achievement Award recipient Elliot Goldenthal shares the stage with director Julie Taymor, his artistic and life partner, to discuss their flourishing collaborations. Looking back on the key moments of their decades spanning partnership, Goldenthal and Taymor illuminate the work process that was at the heart of acclaimed films like Titus, The Tempest and Frida, which earned them two Academy Awards in 2002, including Best Original Score. 16:30-17:30 – James Horner: Autism and the Creative Process: a Discussion with his Widow, Sara Horner Moderator: Michael Levine (composer, Close to Home) It has been often overlooked, but nonetheless crucial: James Horner’s iconic scores for classics like Titanic, Avatar and Braveheart were not only shaped by technical craftsmanship and surprising sources of inspiration, but just as much by autism. Together with fellow-composers and specialists in the field, the composer’s widow, Sara Horner, discusses how her husband’s Asperger’s Syndrome has profoundly influenced his career. What has often made him different, also made him stand out on a musical level. Panellists: Sara Horner (widow James Horner), Emily Horner (daughter James Horner), Linda Sonck (Flemish Autism Society) 20:00 – James Horner Tribute Concert In the mammoth blockbuster Titanic, Céline Dion sings her way into our hearts. But as wondrous as Dion’s voice is the music of composer James Horner. The American composer has written iconic scores for Hollywood classics like Titanic, Braveheart, and Avatar. On 17 October, the Brussels Philharmonic, conducted by maestro Dirk Brossé, will perform a selection of Horner’s repertoire, curated by longtime colleague and friend Simon Franglen. |
The 51st edition of Film Fest Gent will take place from 9 to 20 October 2024.
The 24th World Soundtrack Awards will be held on 16 October 2024, during the WSA Film Music Days (15 – 17 October 2024).
