The International Film Music Competition returns for the 7th edition during the 14th Zurich Film Festival this coming Fall. The celebrity jury will be presided over by Cliff Martinez.  Martinez made a name for himself as Steven Soderberg’s and Nicolas Winding Refn’s preferred composer and during the mid eighties as the Red Hot Chili Peppers’ drummer. Winding Refn’s THE NEON DEMON won Best Soundtrack in 2016 at the International Film Festival in Cannes. The musical evening and award ceremony take place on October 4 at the Tonhalle Maag.

This year’s International Film Music Competition Jury is presided over by film music composer Cliff Martinez. Martinez was drummer of the Red Hot Chili Peppers in the mid-eighties and played on the first two albums of the band. Later, he made a name for himself as a film composer and was nominated for several awards, including a Grammy and César. With the series TOO OLD TO DIE YOUNG expected in 2019, the American continues his collaboration with DRIVE-director Nicolas Winding Refn.

He will be joined by German conductor and returning jury member Frank Strobel, who will once again conduct the approx. 100-piece Tonhalle Orchestra Zurich during this year’s musical event on October 4. The jury further comprises Swiss film music composer and pianist Christine Aufderhaar and Swiss film director Sabine Gisiger. The short film HAPPINESS by Steve Cutts forms the basis of this year’s competition.

List of jury members:

Cliff Martinez (film music composer / USA / Jury President)
Frank Strobel (conductor, musician / Germany)
Christine Aufderhaar (film music composer, musician / Switzerland)
Sabine Gisiger (film director / Switzerland)

The expert jury will select five works out of the 304 submissions from 44 countries. These nominated compositions will be performed live by the renowned Tonhalle Orchestra Zurich in front of a public audience at the Tonhalle Maag on October 4. The jury will then choose the winner of the Golden Eye for ‘Best International Film Music 2018’. The presentation of the award endowed with a CHF 10’000 cash prize is followed by a grand film music concert under the title ‘Thriller’.