Zurich, 28 May 2026 — The Zurich Film Festival (ZFF) will honour acclaimed composer and Academy Award winner Gabriel Yared with its prestigious Career Achievement Award during the “Cinema in Concert” Gala on 1 October 2026. The celebrated composer will receive the Golden Eye in recognition of his extraordinary contribution to international film music and cinematic storytelling.
Yared will also serve as Jury President of the 14th International Film Music Competition (IFMC), reinforcing his longstanding influence on generations of film composers worldwide.
Widely regarded as one of the defining voices in contemporary film music, Gabriel Yared is best known for his unforgettable scores for films including The English Patient, The Talented Mr. Ripley, Cold Mountain, and Betty Blue. His hauntingly beautiful soundtrack for The English Patient earned him an Academy Award, Golden Globe, Grammy Award, and BAFTA, cementing his status as one of cinema’s most respected composers.
Each year, the Zurich Film Festival recognises exceptional filmmakers whose work has left a lasting impact on the global film industry. By presenting the Career Achievement Award to Yared, the festival continues its tradition of honouring legendary artists in cinema. Notably, Yared becomes the sixth consecutive Oscar winner to receive the distinction, reflecting the award’s growing international prestige within the world of film music.
“Gabriel Yared belongs among the giants of film music,” said Reta Guetg, Festival Director of the ZFF. “His compositions evoke profound emotions that linger long after the final note. Since the 1980s, Yared has shaped cinema with a unique musical identity that blends influences from the Middle East, Brazil, and European traditions. His artistic diversity makes him a true inspiration for generations of composers. It is a great honour for us to present him with our Career Achievement Award.”
Yared expressed his gratitude, saying: “I am proud and honoured to receive the Career Achievement Award from the Zurich Film Festival, as well as to be invited to serve as President of the Jury of the International Film Music Competition, which gives young film composers the opportunity to have their work performed and heard.”
From Beirut to Hollywood
Born in Beirut in 1949, Gabriel Yared moved to Paris in the early 1970s, where he studied composition under renowned mentors including Henri Dutilleux and Maurice Ohana. He quickly established himself within the French music industry as an arranger and musical director, collaborating with legendary artists such as Jacques Dutronc, Johnny Hallyday, Charles Aznavour, and Françoise Hardy.
Yared began composing for film in 1979 with scores for Jean-Luc Godard’s Sauve Qui Peut (La Vie) and Christian de Chalonge’s Malevil. His international breakthrough came during the 1980s through collaborations with director Jean-Jacques Beineix, particularly on the cult classic Betty Blue.
Over the decades, Yared has worked with some of the world’s most celebrated filmmakers, including Jean-Jacques Annaud, Robert Altman, and Anthony Minghella. His score for The English Patient remains widely regarded as one of the defining achievements in modern film music.
Beyond cinema, Yared has also composed for ballet productions at the Paris Opera and the Royal Opera Ballet in London. More recently, he collaborated with Xavier Dolan on It’s Only the End of the World and The Death and Life of John F. Donovan, as well as with Angelina Jolie and Rupert Gould.
In 2020, Yared received the Lifetime Achievement Award at the World Soundtrack Awards during Film Fest Gent, further recognising his enduring influence on global film music.