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Every year the advisory board of the World Soundtrack Academy chooses a 'Discovery of the Year' to celebrate emerging film composing talent. Famous composers as Klaus Badelt, Antonio Pinto, Craig Armstrong, Michael Giacchino, Gustavo Santaolalla and last year's Nico Muhly were discovered by the board.

On October 20th, the Ghent Film Festival and Hogeschool Ghent are organising a film music seminar with composer Stephen Warbeck (Shakespeare in Love, Billy Elliott) at which he will present his working method, illustrating it with music and film clips. The seminar will take place at the Zwarte Zaal of KASK (Bijloke site) from 10 am to 4 pm. The main question is How does film music contribute to the narrative structure of a film?

The World Soundtrack Academy announced tonight the winners of the World Soundtrack Awards 2010, the closing event of the 37th Ghent International Film Festival. Alexandre Desplat was chosen as Film Composer of the Year 2010 and took home the award for Best Orginal Film Score of the Year (Fantastic Mr. Fox) for the second year in a row. Ryan Bingham & T Bone Burnett received the World Soundtrack Award for Best Original Song Written for Film ('THE WEARY KIND' from "Crazy Heart") and Abel Korzeniowski is the Discovery of the Year Award and Public Choice for A Single Man. John Barry received the World Soundtrack Lifetime Achievement Award.

As news of veteran publicist Ronni Chasen's death from multiple gunshot wounds spread through Hollywood Tuesday morning, those who knew her -- and few people didn't -- expressed shock and dismay at the violent end to the life of a woman known throughout the biz as a force of nature and a tireless advocate for her clients.

Composer John Barry, famous for his work on Born Free, Out of Africa and the James Bond films, has died in New York of a heart attack aged 77. Barry received a lifetime achievement award at the Ghent Film Festival in October 2010. A concert with Barry's most famous music was held for an audience of more than 2500 people. Due to his medical condition, John Barry could not be present in Ghent to accept his award. He asked colleague David Arnold to accept the Award in his place. John Barry deeply regretted his absence from the concert and expressed his disappointment in a warm-hearted video addressed to the Ghent Film Festival and especially to Jacques Dubrulle and Marian Ponnet.

The Board of Directors of the Ghent Film Festival has appointed Dirk Brossé as Music Director. This further strengthens the successful collaboration spanning several years between the Ghent Film Festival and Dirk Brossé. As Music Director of the Ghent Film Festival, Brossé will serve as adviser for the compilation and programming of classical film music concerts. He will also be closely involved in the realisation of the festival's other musical projects, such as CD and DVD recordings.

Young European film music talent will have another chance to win the highly sought after SABAM Award For Best Young European Composer. This award was created by the World Soundtrack Academy and is worth €2500 and the live performance of the winning composition by the Brussels Philharmonic - the Orchestra of Flanders during the presentation of the World Soundtrack Awards on 22 October in the Kuipke in Ghent. This is the official closing ceremony of the 38th Ghent Film Festival (11-22 October 2011). Candidates must be under 36 and must be European or have been born in Europe. Registrations will be accepted via this link until 30 June 2011.

On 3 and 4 June, Dirk Brossé conducted two sell-out 'Star Wars in Concert' performances at the Hollywood Bowl. These film music concerts have been touring the world since April 2009 and combine the unforgettable music by composer John Williams with specially edited scenes from the six Star Wars films. The two concerts in Los Angeles, performed by the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra, attracted 50,000 spectators.

Concert dedicated to the memory of Ronni Chasen On Saturday, October 22nd at 8:00p.m., Oscar winners Elliot Goldenthal, Howard Shore, and Hans Zimmer will be the distinguished guests at the closing ceremony of the 38th Ghent Film Festival at the Kuipke in Ghent. Once again, the Kuipke Event Centre in Ghent will be transformed into a concert hall for an audience of more than 3000 for this 11th edition of the World Soundtrack Awards & Concert. Following the annual presentation of the prestigious film music awards, the Brussels Philharmonic - the Orchestra of Flanders - will perform a singular selection from the three great masters' extensive oeuvres conducted by Dirk Brossé. As always, the live music will be accompanied by striking film footage. The concert is being dedicated in memory of Ronni Chasen, longtime representative and friend of the film festival.

As of 1 September 2011, Patrick Duynslaegher will be the Artistic Director of the Ghent Film Festival. Managing Director Jacques Dubrulle says he is delighted that Patrick has agreed to join the festival team. "This appointment is part of the Board of Directors' plan to further develop the important role the Ghent Film Festival plays in the film culture of Flanders and beyond. Patrick will be able to count on the support of several top team members, who have already won their spurs." Patrick Duynslaegher himself comments: "After many years in film journalism, I am thrilled that I can now put my passion for cinema to good use serving the most dynamic film festival in Belgium. I am joining an enthusiastic team to develop new initiatives and ideas in the fast-evolving image culture, surrounded by an explosion of new media where the world of films must constantly reassess itself."