Ghent Film Festival Marks 25 Years of Elevating Film Music

The World Soundtrack Awards (WSA), which originated from Belgium's Film Fest Ghent, is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year. The festival, which has cleverly set itself apart from similar events, has played a crucial role in recognizing the contributions of global film and television composers over the past quarter-century.

The WSA's impact is evident in the growing popularity of film music worldwide. Wim De Witte, the programme director of Film Fest Ghent, notes that the festival's focus on film music has helped put it on the international map of film festivals, attracting world premieres and major films. Renowned composer Dirk Brossé, the music director of the festival, also recalls the inaugural live concert by Oscar-winning composer Hans Zimmer, which marked the start of a long series of concerts that have grown over the years.

However, the industry is facing challenges as the rise of AI disrupts the film composing landscape. Brossé expresses concerns about the oversaturation of the profession, with more people gaining access to tools to create soundtracks. Despite this, the WSA remains committed to providing a platform for composers writing for acoustic instruments and symphony orchestras, as they believe human-created art will always have a place.