The 5th International Film Music Competition featured a special concert of the music of John Williams. (Photo: Maurice Haas)

Spanish composer Javier Bayon took top honors at the 5th International Film Music Competition, which took place within the framework of the 12th Zurich Film Festival at the Tonhalle Zürich Sept. 23. Bayon won the Golden Eye for Best International Film Music 2016, which includes a $10,000 cash prize.

Five soundtracks were shortlisted by an international jury from a total of 202 entries (up from the prior year’s 137) representing 43 countries (previously: 28). Entrants scored to Seth Boyden’s six-minute animated short film An Object at Rest.

Romanian composer Lucian Zbarcea received special mention. In addition those two, the following composers were also nominated: Nic Danielson (USA), Marcin Sadowski (Poland), Joakim Unander (Sweden). The five finalists’ compositions were premiered Friday evening by the Tonhalle-Orchester Zürich under the baton of Frank Strobel. A specialist jury comprising Seth Boyden, Sophie Hunger, Brigitte Hofer, Frank Strobel and Jan Müller-Wieland selected the winner that same evening.

Afterwards, a concert  Tribute to John Williams took place, honoring the work of the legendary U.S. film composer and five-time Academy Award-winner. Williams has collaborated with many of the world’s most distinguished directors and scored almost every film by Steven Spielberg as well as George Lucas’ Star Wars series.

Also in attendance was Basel-based film composer Niki Reiser, who garnered Fondation Suisa’s film music award this year for his original soundtrack to the Swiss film Heidi, an excerpt from which was also performed during the first part of the evening. Presenter Sandra Studer was in charge of proceedings. The event was organised by the Zurich Film Festival, running Sept. 22-Oct. 2) and the Tonhalle-Gesellschaft Zürich in collaboration with the Forum Filmmusik.