Ghent Film Fest: Composers & Directors Unite

Film Fest Ghent is significantly enhancing its integration with the World Soundtrack Awards (WSA), running concurrently from October 8-10, 2026. This strategic alignment aims to foster deeper collaboration between visiting filmmakers and composers, moving beyond previous editions where the WSA ran in parallel after the main festival concluded. Program director Wim De Witte highlighted the goal of increasing interaction between filmmakers and composers, who often face communication challenges due to differing professional languages.

This year's program directly addresses these challenges through dedicated talks pairing directors with their composers. Notable pairings include Lukas Dhont with Valentin Hadjadj for "Coward," and Edward Berger with Volker Bertelmann. These sessions are designed to explore how filmmakers approach music, communicate their needs, and integrate scores effectively into scenes.

The WSA's Film Music Days also feature matchmaking and networking opportunities, including the Third Character market. This initiative connects composers with producer-director duos working on new projects, having previously facilitated successful collaborations like that between "Coward" director Dhont and composer Hadjadj.

Organizers anticipate that the earlier October weekend slot will boost industry attendance, potentially influencing discussions on topics like AI in music composition, emphasizing the human element. Despite evolving formats, the WSA aims to preserve Ghent's reputation as a relaxed hub where global talent can connect and collaborate, akin to its famed Belgian beer and chocolate.