# Five emerging composers shortlisted for World Soundtrack Awards discovery prize

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/world-soundtrack-awards-discovery-nominees-include-mari-fukuhara-paris-hurley-hannah-peel-kangding-ray-sam-slater/
- Published: 2026-09-30T14:02:01+00:00
- Updated: 2026-09-30T21:33:48+00:00
- Original publisher: Variety
- Original article: https://variety.com/2026/film/festivals/world-soundtrack-awards-discovery-of-the-year-nominees-2-1236885975/
- Topics: Entertainment, Film, Music, Research, Science, Space, Technology

## Key points

- World Soundtrack Awards Discovery Prize has strong track record identifying talent who reshape film scoring
- Nominees include Mari Fukuhara, Paris Hurley and Hannah Peel with classical training and innovative approaches
- Award celebrates composers exploring distinctive soundscapes and emotional storytelling through music

## Summary

The World Soundtrack Awards' Discovery of the Year prize has consistently identified emerging talent who reshape modern film scoring, with past winners including Gustavo Santaolalla, Michael Giacchino and Nicholas Britell. The 2026 shortlist features several innovative composers with diverse backgrounds and compositional philosophies:

- Mari Fukuhara, trained in classical music at Tokyo's Toho Gakuen School whilst performing in jazz and pop bands, composed the score for "Little Amélie or the Character of Rain" after producers approached her; she emphasises music's role in capturing a child's perception of reality and seeks projects driven by atmosphere rather than narrative.

- Paris Hurley, a classically trained violinist, scored Kristen Stewart's "The Chronology of Water" after being deeply moved by the source memoir; she views sound as an immersive physical experience that guides listeners through emotional journeys.

## Coverage

- [Variety: Five emerging composers shortlisted for World Soundtrack Awards discovery prize](https://variety.com/2026/film/festivals/world-soundtrack-awards-discovery-of-the-year-nominees-2-1236885975/)
- [Variety Music: Composers of ‘The Chronology of Water,’ ‘Sirat’ Among World Soundtrack Awards’ Discovery Nominees](https://variety.com/2026/artisans/festivals/world-soundtrack-awards-discovery-of-the-year-nominees-2-1236885975/)

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.