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This is now the ninth year that the Zurich Film Festival has joined forces with the Tonhalle-Gesellschaft Zürich AG and the Forum Filmmusik to organise and implement the International Film Music Competition. “This event is one of the highlights of the ZFF in terms of experience and audience satisfaction,” explains Christian Jungen, ZFF Artistic Director, “and it underlines that film music is an important focus at the festival.”

182 composers from 37 countries entered the competition with their own score for the given short film ETIQUETA NEGRA (BLACK LABEL) by David Vergés. Three of these entrants have now made it to the final, and their compositions will be world premiered during the Zurich Film Festival by the Tonhalle Orchestra Zurich in the Tonhalle Zurich on September 30, 2021. The jury will announce the winning composition on the same evening and present the Golden Eye for “Best International Film Music” endowed with a CHF 10’000 cash prize.

And the three finalists of 2021 are:

• Julien Bellanger (France)
• John Heins (USA)
• Andrey Mordovsky (Russia)

This year’s jury is presided over by the Canadian film composer Mychael Danna. His body of work includes the Academy Award and Golden Globe-winning soundtrack to Ang Lee’s LIFE OF PIE. His list of credits in the field of composing also includes an Emmy, a World Soundtrack Award and a Hollywood Film Award. Further members of the jury are Swiss-Australian film composer Diego Baldenweg and the Swiss-born, U.S.-based music supervisor Pirmin Marti.

The German conductor Frank Strobel, under whose baton the Tonhalle Orchestra Zurich will once again perform during the celebratory gala evening on September 30, 2021, is also among the jury members. “Music significantly expands our awareness of film,” explained Strobel, “because it directs our gaze towards film and within it. I’m looking forward to using the submitted compositions to present a music that illustrates the film, augments its narrative and enables it to be experienced, because music has the power to narrate films in its own unique language.”

A further musical highlight of the evening comes in the form of a Film Music Concert with excerpts from the soundtracks to HENRY V., THE KING’S SPEECH, THE QUEEN and a work by the Jury President. In addition, the international award-winning sibling trio Diego Baldenweg with Nora Baldenweg and Lionel Baldenweg will make a special guest appearance, and a medley of their most popular works will be performed in their honour.        

Tickets for the Gala Evening on September 30 are available from 11 am on Monday, August 23 at tonhalle-orchester.ch/ifmw.

Further information about the International Film Music Competition is available now at filmmusiccompetition.ch. 

Zurich Film Festival

The Zurich Film Festival (ZFF) is the second-largest festival in the German-speaking world. Over 11 days each autumn it presents the greatest discoveries and the year’s most anticipated movies. The ZFF facilitates exchange between upcoming directors, established filmmakers, the film industry and the general public. In the year of Corona 2020, the ZFF was able with great success to implement a physical and comprehensive 165-film programme, attracting 68’000 viewers (2019: 117’000) and thousands of accredited film and media workers from across (almost) the entire globe. The 17th edition takes place from September 23 until October 03, 2021.

Further information: zff.com

Tonhalle-Gesellschaft Zürich AG

The Tonhalle-Gesellschaft Zürich AG is responsible for the Tonhalle-Orchester Zürich and organises more than 150 concerts of various kinds each season. In addition to the concerts in Zurich, the orchestra goes on international tours and carries Zurich’s reputation as a lively city of music to renowned music centres around the world. Currently, the orchestra plays concerts for audiences of 50 people and regularly hosts live streaming events. 

Further information: tonhalle-orchester.ch 

Forum Filmmusik

Forum Filmmusik supports projects that promote exchange among filmmakers. In addition, the Forum Filmmusik offers insights into current film music creation and raises awareness of the soundtrack among a culturally interested public. 

Further information: forumfilmmusik.ch

SoundTrack_Zurich

SoundTrack_Zurich is a European film music conference taking place during the Zurich Film Festival. SoundTrack_Zurich presents the work of Swiss and European film composers at eye level with their international colleagues.The two day conference hosts an array of panels, networking sessions, case studies and workshops revolving around current film music topics. Further highlights are live concerts and special film screenings. SoundTrack_Zurich is organised by the Swiss Media Composers Association in close collaboration with the Zurich Film Festival, SoundTrack_Cologne, Forum Filmmusik, Tonhalle-Gesellschaft Zürich, IMMSANE, ZHdK and Montreux Jazz Festival.

The next edition will take place from September 28 – 30, 2021.

SoundTrack_Zurich is supported by (Stand: June 1, 2021):
MediaDesk Suisse | Bundesamt für Kultur BAK | Fondation SUISA | SUISA Genossenschaft der Urheber und Verleger von Musik | Montreux Jazz Festival | WIFT Germany | SWAN Swiss Women’s Audiovisual Network | AWFC Alliance for Women Film Composers | ECSA European Composer & Songwriter Alliance | DEFKOM Deutsche Filmkomponistenunion | Composers Club

Further information:
www.soundtrackzurich.com
www.facebook.com/soundtrackzurich
www.instagram.com/soundtrackzurich