Volker Bertelmann Leads 25th Annual World Soundtrack Awards

Composer Volker Bertelmann leads this year’s nominations for the 25th World Soundtrack Awards, set to take place on Oct. 15.

Film Fest Gent and the World Soundtrack Academy have announced the first wave of nominees for the World Soundtrack Awards, recognizing the contributions of global film and television composers. 

This year’s category for Film Composer of the Year will have six nominees recognized for their film compositions and soundscapes throughout 2024. Bertelmann is nominated for Edward Berger’s “Conclave” and James Hawes’ “The Amateur.” Oscar-winning composer Daniel Blumberg is nominated for his score for Brady Corbet’s “The Brutalist,” alongside first-time nominee Kris Bowers for his work in Dreamworks Animation’s “The Wild Robot.” Cannes soundtrack award winners Clément Ducol and Camille are nominated for their score to Jacques Audiard’s “Emilia Pérez,” with renowned composer John Powell securing a nomination for his work in the live-action adaptation of “How to Train Your Dragon.” Spanish composer Alberto Iglesias returns to the WSA stage with a nomination for “The Room Next Door,” his latest collaboration with director Pedro Almodóvar. 

Bertelmann has also secured a second nomination for the Television Composer of the Year category. Other nominees for the award include Theodore Shapiro (“Severance”), David Fleming and Gustavo Santaolalla (“The Last of Us”), Ariel Marx (“Dying for Sex”), Bear McCreary (“The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power”) and Martin Phipps (“Black Doves”). 

Miley Cyrus, Andrew Wyatt, Matt Dunkley are nominated for “Beautiful That Way” from Gia Coppola’s “The Last Showgirl” for the Best Original Song category. Clément Ducol,  Camille & Jacques Audiard are also nominated for “El Mal.”

Read the full list of nominees below.

Film Composer of the Year

Volker Bertelmann – “Conclave,” “The Amateur”

Daniel Blumberg – “The Brutalist”

Kris Bowers – “The Wild Robot”

Clément Ducol and Camille – “Emilia Pérez”

Alberto Iglesias – “The Room Next Door”

John Powell – “How to Train Your Dragon”

Television Composer of the Year

Volker Bertelmann – “The Day of the Jackal,” “Dune: Prophecy,” “The Count of Monte Cristo”

David Fleming, Gustavo Santaolalla – “The Last Of Us” (Season 2)

Ariel Marx – “Dying for Sex”

Bear McCreary – “The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power” (Season 2)

Martin Phipps – “Black Doves”

Theodore Shapiro – “Severance” (Season 2)

Best Original Song

“Beautiful That Way” from “The Last Showgirl” | written by Andrew Wyatt, Lykke Li, and Miley Cyrus | performed by Miley Cyrus, Andrew Wyatt, Matt Dunkley

“El Mal” from “Emilia Pérez” | written by Clément Ducol, Camille & Jacques Audiard | performed by Zoe Saldaña, Karla Sofía Gascón

“I Lied to You” from “Sinners” | written by Ludwig Göransson, Raphael Saadiq | performed by Miles Caton

“Never Too Late” from “Elton John: Never Too Late”  | written by Elton John, Brandi Carlile, Andrew Watt, Bernie Taupin | performed by Elton John, Brandi Carlile

“Winter Coat” from “Blitz” | written by Nicholas Britell, Steve McQueen, Taura Stinson | performed by Nicholas Britell, Saoirse Ronan

Lifetime Achievement Award

Philip Glass

Michael Nyman

Best Original Composition by a Young Composer (Powered by Vienna Synchron Stage)

Neville Bharucha

Théo Cascio

Bongseob Kim