WSA: Film Music Composition Contest 2026 - Ratched

Young composers are the future of the (film) music industry, but they rarely get the chance to perform their score for a live audience. That is why, each year, the World Soundtrack Awards gives young screen composers under the age of 36 the chance to submit an original score for a selected film, TV or game excerpt. Submissions open on the 2nd of March 2026.

In honour of the ten year anniversary of the first WSA Television Composer of the Year Award, the excerpt chosen this year is the opening credits of the TV show Ratched. Written and directed by Ryan Murphy and Evan Romansky, and starring Sarah Paulson, the music originally chosen for these credits is Danse Macabre, Op. 40 by Camille Saint Saëns. Ratched is an American psychological thriller about a young nurse in a mental institution. Over time, she grows cynical and bitter, and becomes a monster to her patients.

Once submissions are closed (15 May 2026) a professional jury, chaired by WSA Music Director Dirk Brossé, will select three finalists who will be invited to the WSA Film Music Days (8-10 October 2026) during the 53d edition of Film Fest Gent. There the original scores of the finalists will be performed by the Brussels Philharmonic at the World Soundtrack Awards Ceremony & Concert. When all finalists have performed their music, the winner will be announced.

The winner of this contest will be presented the World Soundtrack Award for Best Original Composition by a Young Composer. Thanks to Vienna Synchron Stage, they will also receive a lifelong license to the Synchron Series Package (worth €7,899). According to Bongseop Kim, last year’s winner, the three days at the WSA Film Music Days gave him a clear sense of direction as a young composer. “Hearing my orchestral music performed live for the first time was a deeply formative experience, and the warmth and support I received from the WSA community still stay with me.”

Find all information about the 2026 Film Music Composition Contest here.