At the "Cinema in Concert" Gala, held as part of the 13th International Film Music Competition (IFMW) during the Zurich Film Festival, film music meets the big screen. The Tonhalle-Orchester Zürich, under the baton of Frank Strobel, will perform the works of the finalists as well as music by Academy Award-winner Hildur Guðnadóttir live. The jury includes film composer Balz Bachmann, director Jasmin Gordon, and conductor Frank Strobel, who will award the Golden Eye for Best International Film Music 2025 at the end of the evening. The gala will be hosted by Sandra Studer.
On October 2, 2025, the Tonhalle Zürich will transform into a space of deep emotion: the Zurich Film Festival invites you to the “Cinema in Concert” Gala to celebrate the 13th International Film Music Competition (IFMW).
At the heart of the evening is Academy Award-winner Hildur Guðnadóttir (JOKER, CHERNOBYL, TÁR, WOMEN TALKING), who will receive the ZFF Career Achievement Award. Select works from her impressive repertoire will be performed live by the Tonhalle-Orchester Zürich under the direction of Frank Strobel. Guðnadóttir also heads the international expert jury that selects the winning entries from among the submitted compositions for this year’s competition. The composers' challenge: to create a new orchestral score for the seven-minute animated short film WILD LOVE. The three finalist compositions will be premiered during the “Cinema in Concert” Gala.
Also serving on the jury is Balz Bachmann, one of Switzerland’s most distinguished film music composers, whose works will be featured in an orchestral suite during the evening. The event will further be enriched by the presence of Swiss-American director Jasmin Gordon, who joins Guðnadóttir, Bachmann, and Strobel on the competition jury.
For this year’s IFMW, numerous composers from around the globe have submitted original scores for the seven-minute animated short film WILD LOVE. The jury will select three finalists, whose works will be premiered live by the Tonhalle-Orchester Zürich under the baton of Frank Strobel.
The evening offers a unique cross-section of the world of film music – from emerging talents to internationally acclaimed composers:
FONDATION SUISA Act: Balz Bachmann presents an orchestral suite of highlights from his film music, performed live by the Tonhalle-Orchester Zürich. The program includes works from THE BLACK BROTHERS by Oscar winner Xavier Koller, ZFF competition winner STILLE RESERVEN, Swiss Film Award winner DER SPATZ IM KAMIN, audience favorite YALOM’S CURE, and music from the documentary LAS TORERAS. As a special musical guest, the award-winning pianist Simone Keller will perform. Just one day after the concert, she will be honored with the 2025 Zurich Culture Prize.
Live performance of the short film WILD LOVE with the finalists’ compositions.
Award Ceremony: The jury will present the CHF 10,000 Golden Eye for Best International Film Music 2025.
Presentation of the Career Achievement Award to Hildur Guðnadóttir, accompanied by live performances of her works.
Hildur Guðnadóttir
The Icelandic composer and cellist is one of the most influential voices in contemporary film music. She received an Oscar, Golden Globe, and Grammy for her score for JOKER, and an Emmy for CHERNOBYL. Her innovative soundscapes define films like TÁR, WOMEN TALKING, and SICARIO: DAY OF THE SOLDADO, leaving a lasting impact on the international film music scene. Guðnadóttir lives in Berlin and collaborates with renowned orchestras and directors around the world.
Balz Bachmann
The award-winning Swiss composer, producer, and musician is one of the country’s leading voices in film music. He has scored films such as THE BLACK BROTHERS by Oscar winner Xavier Koller, ZFF competition winner STILLE RESERVEN, Swiss Film Award recipient DER SPATZ IM KAMIN, YALOM’S CURE, and the multi-award-winning documentary LAS TORERAS. In 2024, he was selected for the prestigious Spot the Composer program in Cannes. As the FONDATION SUISA Act, Bachmann presents an orchestral suite of his film music at the IFMW Gala, performed live by the Tonhalle-Orchester Zürich, offering a powerful glimpse into his body of work. He is also committed to supporting young talent in the field of film music.
Jasmin Gordon
Born in Los Angeles in 1978, the Swiss-American director studied literature, photography, and documentary film in the U.S. and France. Her award-winning short films have screened at festivals such as SXSW and AFI Docs. Her feature debut LES COURAGEUX (2024) will premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival in September 2024 and has already received multiple awards at the Zurich Film Festival.
Frank Strobel
The German conductor and film music specialist is a pioneer in the live performance of film scores and the fusion of film and orchestral sound. He collaborates regularly with top orchestras across Europe and brings film music to the stage with precision and passion. Strobel will conduct the Tonhalle-Orchester Zürich at the IFMW Gala, ensuring a musical experience of the highest caliber.
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Don’t miss this extraordinary evening of sonic artistry and emotion as part of the Zurich Film Festival at the Tonhalle Zürich.
