World Soundtrack Awards reveals Discovery of the Year nominees, featuring composers of ‘The Chronology of Water’ and ‘Sirat’ alongside past winners like Santaolalla and Giacchino.

The World Soundtrack Awards announced the nominees for its Discovery of the Year prize, naming the composers of The Chronology of Water and Sirat as part of the shortlist.

Established composers who previously won the award include Gustavo Santaolalla for 21 Grams, Michael Giacchino for The Incredibles and Nicholas Britell for Moonlight. Recent winners Daniel Blumberg for The Brutalist and Jerskin Fendrix for Poor Things also appear on the list.

Why the nomination matters

The Discovery of the Year prize has a reputation for identifying talent that later defines the sound of cinema. Past recipients have gone on to score blockbuster franchises and critically acclaimed dramas.

Past winners and their impact

Santaolalla’s minimalist guitar work on 21 Grams earned him an Oscar and set a new standard for emotional scoring. Giacchino’s vibrant orchestration for The Incredibles demonstrated how animated films could blend classic Hollywood style with modern rhythm. Britell’s haunting strings in Moonlight helped the film win Best Picture at the Oscars.

Blumberg’s experimental textures on The Brutalist and Fendrix’s eclectic blend of period instruments for Poor Things show how the award continues to champion innovative approaches.

What’s next for the newcomers

The two newly announced nominees will compete for the award at the ceremony scheduled for later this year. Winning could open doors to larger studio projects and raise their profiles among directors seeking fresh musical voices.

Organizers have not released details about the judging panel or the exact ceremony date. They plan to announce further information as the event approaches.