Every autumn, the Tonhalle Zürich turns its focus to film music: the International Film Music Competition is held as part of the prestigious «Cinema in Concert» gala in close collaboration with the Zurich Film Festival. This exceptional concert evening celebrates emerging film music composers from around the world, honours the most important film music creators of our time and recognises established figures in Swiss film music.
As part of «Cinema in Concert», the FONDATION SUISA puts the spotlight each year on a Swiss film music composer through the «Spotlight Schweizer Filmmusik». Our aim is to provide talented composers with a public platform for their work and to encourage, accompany and support them in their creative journey. The goal: to bring them closer to audiences and the film industry and to support them as they pursue their professional careers.
The «Spotlight Swiss Film Music» is funded by FONDATION SUISA.
«Cinema in Concert» 2026
Thursday, 1 October 2026, 7 p.m.
Tonhalle, Zurich
Ticket information and programme
Spotlight Swiss Film Music 2026
Michael Künstle and Matteo Pagamici
Michael Künstle and Matteo Pagamici compose together for film and television. Their works include, for example, ‘Sisi & Ich’ and ‘Neumatt’. In 2026, the FONDATION SUISA will dedicate the Swiss Composer Portrait to the duo as part of ‘Cinema in Concert’ at the Zurich Film Festival.
FONDATION SUISA Spotlight Acts from recent years
2025 ｜ Balz Bachmann
In 2025, this ‘Spotlight’ was awarded to Balz Bachmann, one of Switzerland’s most renowned and internationally sought-after film composers. The Zurich Tonhalle Orchestra presented a specially arranged suite featuring highlights from his film music of recent years.
In 2024, Bachmann was selected from among only twelve composers worldwide to participate in the prestigious ‘Spot the Composer’ promotion programme at the Cannes Film Festival. His works have received numerous awards, including the Swiss Film Award, and have been performed internationally.
balzbachmann.com
2024 ｜ Nicolas Rabaeus
Multi-award-winning Swiss film composer and musician, known for his stylistic versatility in film, television and theatre.
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2023 ｜ Mark Baechle
Swiss composer and arranger specialising in orchestral film music; also does work for theatre, audio productions and advertising.
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2022 ｜ Marcel Vaid
Swiss-German composer and musician born in 1967, who has set over 50 feature films and documentaries to music. Known for combining acoustic instruments with electronic elements. Four-time winner of the Swiss Film Award and lecturer at the Zurich University of the Arts.
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2021 ｜ Diego Baldenweg
One of the three Baldenweg siblings (along with Nora and Lionel), who produce work for film and TV. They combine orchestral and modern soundscapes and have won multiple international awards.
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2019 ｜ Adrian Frutiger
Swiss composer and producer who has create music for productions such as “Sennentuntschi” and “Davos 1917”.
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2018 ｜ Christine Aufderhaar
Swiss composer for cinema, TV and concerts, based in Berlin. Winner of multiple awards, including “European Composer 2008 for Switzerland”.
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2017 ｜ Fabian Römer
Römer is a Swiss film composer for cinema and TV productions such as “Die Tür” and “Tannbach” and a winner of several international awards.
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2016 ｜ Niki Reiser
One of the most well-known Swiss film composers. He has worked with Dani Levy and Rolf Lyssy, amongst others, and received the Swiss Film Award on multiple occasions.
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2015 ｜ Martin Tillman
Swiss cellist and composer born in 1964, a close collaborator of Hans Zimmer on Hollywood productions such as “The Dark Knight” and “Pirates of the Caribbean”.
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2014 ｜ Marcel Barsotti
Swiss film composer born in 1963, creator of over 100 soundtracks for cinema and TV, including “Deutschland. Ein Sommermärchen“ and “Pope Joan”.
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