The inaugural London Soundtrack Festival celebrates the music of film, television and videogames during a brand new, week-long series of events festival taking place at venues across the capital in March.
Music written for the screen (TV, Film or Game) represents some of the most listened to in the world right now, and it’s popularity is only increasing as time goes on.
Whether it’s a blockbuster film score by the likes of Hans Zimmer, the music for the latest ‘must-watch’ streaming series or a soundworld created for a million-selling videogame, fans are spoilt for choice when it comes to the soundtracks that are available on streaming services, CD and vinyl, or even in the concert hall.
Festivals celebrating soundtracks aren’t anything new, indeed there are long-running and brilliantly curated examples happening each year in cities like Krakow and Ghent, but London hasn’t been able to get one off of the ground. Until now.
The inaugural London Soundtrack Festival has just been announced and it will take place in venues across the capital from 19-26 March 2025.
The week-long celebration will feature concerts, masterclasses and screenings, with guests representing some of the very best and brightest working in the industry today.
Venues hosting events include the Roundhouse, BFI Imax, Alexandra Palace and the Royal Festival Hall.
Oscar-winning headliner
Leading the festival’s glittering line-up is Academy Award-winning composer Howard Shore (Lord of the Rings; The Hobbit; Silence of the Lambs; Mrs Doubtfire), who will be in conversation with legendary film director David Cronenberg.
The pair have enjoyed a 45-year collaboration (The Fly, Videodrome; Scanners etc), so it should be a fascinating discussion.
Shore will also be the recipient of the very first ‘Gunning Inspiration Award’, which will be awarded at the festival’s centrepiece gala concert with the London Philharmonic Orchestra (conducted by Ben Palmer) at the Royal Festival Hall.
The award is being presented in memory of the late film and television composer Christopher Gunning, who made a huge impact with his scores for the likes of Poirot and La Vie En Rose.
His widow, Sveta Gunning, has been a guiding force behind the entire festival. She suggested the event be devised as a means of matching her late husband’s ‘extraordinary talent, skill and infectious, enthusiastic spirit.’
Film scores in concert
Other concerts will include music by Oscar-winning composers Anne Dudley (with the Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra at the Roundhouse) and Hildur Guðnadóttir (with Robert Ames and the London Contemporary Orchestra at Queen Elizabeth Hall), plus a concert of videogames music at the Roundhouse and a lunchtime concert featuring cellist Richard Harwood.
BBC Radio 3’s Friday Night is Music Night will form part of the festival line-up with a special concert of hits from film and television, live from Alexandra Palace.
Charlie Chaplin’s Modern Times will be screened at Cadogan Hall with a live score performed by Covent Garden Sinfonia, conducted by Ben Palmer. While composer Anna Meredith will introduce a performance of her score for Bo Burnham’s 2018 film Eighth Grade at BFI Imax.
Words of wisdom from those in the know
Masterclasses planned so far include sessions with Hollywood film composers Harry Gregson-Williams (The Chronicles of Narnia; Chicken Run etc) and Natalie Holt (Obi-Wan Kenobi; Loki), award-winning videogames composer Stephen Barton (Star Wars: Jedi Survivor) and TV theme maestro Paul Farrer (The Chase; The Wheel etc).
So the eyes, and ears, of soundtrack fans will be on London in March next year, and with more events yet to be announced it’s looking to be a great week.
A list of the festival events in detail, with more to be announced….
Wednesday 19 March 2025
Concert: Richard Harwood & Friends
Wigmore Hall
Cellist Richard Harwood is joined by star chamber musicians for a lunchtime recital of music by Film composers written for the concert hall – including a new commission by LSF Featured Artist Hildur Guðnadóttir.
Film in Concert: Chaplin’s Modern Times
Cadogan Hall
Covent Garden Sinfonia | Conductor: Ben Palmer
Chaplin’s masterpiece screened with the original score played live. Introduced by Chaplin’s grandson, Spencer Chaplin.
Thursday 20 March 2025
Film in Concert: EIGHTH GRADE with live score
BFI IMAX
Anna Meredith introduces a live performance of her score played in synch with the 2018 film directed by Bo Burnham.
Friday 21 March 2025
Concert: Friday Night is Music Night
Alexandra Palace
BBC Concert Orchestra
A live broadcast of the long-running popular strand, now on BBC Radio 3. Featuring popular hits from film and television.
Saturday 22 March 2025
Masterclass: Harry Gregson-Williams
Southbank Centre
One of Hollywood’s most sought-after and prolific composers, Harry Gregson-Williams has scored numerous hit movies, TV series and video games. In this masterclass, Harry reveals his composing and technical process in a fascinating session demonstrating how he creates film cues.
Demonstration: Dorico in Action
Southbank Centre
The music software producers demonstrate the latest tricks and developments for media music creators.
Q&A: Howard Shore and David Cronenberg in Conversation
Royal Festival Hall
In this very special event, Director David Cronenberg and composer Howard Shore, in conversation with Jon Burlingame, discuss their extraordinary 45-year collaboration, featuring Videodrome, The Fly, Dead Ringers, Crash, M Butterfly, Eastern Promises, A History of Violence, Naked Lunch and their 17th and most recent film together, The Shrouds.
Concert: London Soundtrack Festival Gala Concert
Royal Festival Hall
London Philharmonic Orchestra | Conductor: Ben Palmer
The Festival celebrates its inaugural year with a gala concert featuring music by all featured artists and a special focus on the recipient of the LSF Inspiration Award, Howard Shore.
Sunday 23 March 2025
Games Music – State of the Art
The Roundhouse – All Day
An unmissable celebration of Video Games Music with masterclasses (by Grammy and Ivor-Award winning composers Stephen Barton and Gordy Haab on their score for Star Wars: Jedi Survivor), demos, autograph opportunities and a Panel Session with a stellar line-up of Games Music composers, including Borislav Slavov, Ludvig Forssell and Harry Gregson-Williams.
Masterclass: Stephen Barton
The Roundhouse
The Grammy Award-winning composer gives an exclusive masterclass on writing music for Games.
Concert: Games Music: State of the Art
The Roundhouse
Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra
The Games Music: State of the Art day concludes in spectacular style with a concert by the Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra playing music from some of the most iconic and popular Games available, including Assassin’s Creed, Baldur’s Gate 3, Star Wars Jedi Survivor, Indiana Jones, Metal Gear Solid and Battlefield 2042, introduced by the composers themselves.
Monday 24 March 2025
Talk: Music in Prime Time – A History of TV Themes and Scoring
Venue TBC
LSF host Jon Burlingame, one of the most respected writers on film and TV music in the world, discusses his book ‘Music for Prime Time’ with LSF Artistic Director, Tommy Pearson.
Masterclass: Paul Farrer
Venue TBC
Paul Farrer, who has written some of the most recognisable themes on TV, including The Chase, Weakest Link, The Wheel and Michael McIntyre’s Big Show, reveals his composing and production process.
Tuesday 25 March 2025
Masterclass: Natalie Holt
Venue TBC
Multi-award-winning composer Natalie Holt reveals her process behind creating scores for TV hits Loki and Obi-Wan Kenobi.
Concert: Anne Dudley and the Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra
The Roundhouse
Anne Dudley; Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra
Oscar-winning composer Anne Dudley presents an exclusive night of great movie songs and music, backed by an orchestra and featuring very special guest vocalists
Wednesday 26 March
Pre-concert talk: Hildur Guðnadóttir In Conversation
Queen Elizabeth Hall
The Oscar-winning composer talks to Jon Burlingame about her career, influences, inspirations and the concert she has curated especially for LSF.
Concert: Hildur Guðnadóttir In Concert
Queen Elizabeth Hall
Hildur Guðnadóttir | London Contemporary Orchestra | Conductor: Robert Ames
Oscar-winning composer Hildur Guðnadóttir (Joker) presents a concert of her film and TV music alongside her influences and inspirations.
For the latest information visit londonsoundtrackfestival.com