Film Music Competition
Each year, the Zurich Film Festival collaborates with Tonhalle-Gesellschaft Zürich AG and Forum Filmmusik to host the International Film Music Competition. This year's competition invited emerging composers from around the world to create an original score for a seven-minute animated short film.
Composers were asked to write a new score for the short film WILD LOVE, directed by Paul Autric, Quentin Camus, Léa Georges, Maryka Laudet, Zoé Sottiaux, and Corentin Yvergniaux. Out of nearly 170 submissions from 36 countries, three finalists have now been selected through an anonymous evaluation process by a jury chaired by Academy Award-winning composer Hildur Guðnadóttir. Their compositions will be performed live by the Tonhalle-Gesellschaft Zürich AG during the Cinema in Concert gala. At the end of the evening, one of them will be awarded the Golden Eye for "Best International Film Music 2025", which includes a CHF 10,000 prize.
Below you can read more about the three finalists:
Mikal Grigorowitsch (Germany)
Mikal Grigorowitsch is a newcomer to the world of composition. Inspired by John Williams’ Star Wars score at a young age, Mikal developed a fascination with orchestral film music. This is their first time participating in the IFMC. They are especially interested in the musical structures behind film scores and are currently studying musicology at Humboldt University in Berlin.
Antonio Di Iorio (USA/Italy)
Based in Los Angeles, Antonio Di Iorio is a composer and conductor with master’s degrees in composition, piano, and conducting. He has written music for a wide range of award-winning films and projects, including WINGS OVER WASHINGTON, LIFE IN BETWEEN, and SPIRITIO EROIC. Recently, he contributed additional music to GODZILLA x KONG: THE NEW EMPIRE and ZACK SNYDER'S JUSTICE LEAGUE as part of Tom Holkenborg’s team.
Gary Hirche (Germany)
Gary Hirche composes orchestral and electronic film music. His best-known works include the atmospheric score for JUPITER, which screened at the 2023 Zurich Film Festival, and the thriller BRÜCHE, which won Best Short Film at the 2021 Los Angeles Crime & Horror Festival. He’s a multiple award-winner, including first prize at the 2025 Call for Scores competition. His debut album Awakenings was recorded by the German Film Orchestra Babelsberg. Gary also brings years of experience as a bassoonist and as a bassist and singer in a punk rock band.
A prestigious international jury of film music professionals will select the winner of the Golden Eye for Best International Film Music 2025 during the Cinema in Concert gala, consisting of:
Hildur Guðnadóttir – Composer, Jury President (Iceland)
Frank Strobel – Conductor (Germany)
Balz Bachmann – Conductor (Switzerland)
Jasmin Gordon – Director (Germany)
