Icelandic Composer Hildur Gudnadóttir Wins Prestigious Zurich Film Festival Award

Hildur Gudnadóttir, the Oscar, Emmy, and Golden Globe-winning composer, has been honored with the career achievement award at the 2025 Zurich Film Festival. Gudnadóttir, who is known for her haunting and innovative scores for films like Chernobyl, Joker, and Tár, has been recognized for her exceptional contributions to the world of film music.

Gudnadóttir's musical journey began at a young age, as she was surrounded by music in her family from a very early age. She trained as a classical cellist and later explored various genres, including pop, folk, and heavy metal. This experimental attitude has defined her career, as she has consistently pushed the boundaries of traditional film scoring.

One of Gudnadóttir's most notable achievements was her score for the Emmy, BAFTA, and Grammy-winning Chernobyl series, which was composed entirely using on-site recordings at a nuclear power plant. For her Oscar-winning score to Joker, she utilized the halldrophone, a cello-like electronic instrument that creates an eerie drone, perfectly capturing the anxious dread at the heart of the film.

Gudnadóttir's distinctive sound has made her a sought-after collaborator for directors who are looking to create a unique and immersive cinematic experience. Her recent work on Nia DaCosta's Hedda, a re-imagining of Henrik Ibsen's classic play, showcases her ability to blend live performances, experimental music, and traditional instrumentation to enhance the storytelling.

Despite her impressive achievements, Gudnadóttir continues to face challenges as a female composer in a male-dominated field. She has been openly critical of the industry's lack of opportunities for women, citing the staggering statistic that only around one percent of the biggest film scores are composed by women. However, Gudnadóttir remains undeterred, with several major projects already lined up for 2026, including a horror soundtrack and a gothic horror romance.