News

I am honored to announce that Guardians of Arduenna has won Best Original Music at the Berlin Indie Shorts Festival — Season 4 (May–August 2026).

This recognition is especially meaningful to me, as Guardians of Arduenna is deeply rooted in the history, spirit, and musical heritage of the ancient Belgae and the land of Arduenna.

My sincere thanks to the Berlin Indie Shorts Festival and its jury for this wonderful recognition. The journey continues.

Composer Yves Stilmant has been named a 2026 InterContinental Music Awards Winner — Best of Europe for his composition Son of the Belgae in the Celtic category.

Deeply rooted in Stilmant's Belgian heritage and his continuing exploration of the history and cultural identity of the ancient Belgae, Son of the Belgae forms part of a growing body of orchestral and cinematic work inspired by the people, landscapes and history of ancient Belgica.

The international recognition marks another significant distinction for Stilmant's work and carries particular personal meaning for the Belgian-born composer.

InterContinental Music Awards 2026 Winner — Best of Europe Son of the Belgae Category: Celtic

Composer and writer Yves Stilmant has completed the screenplay for Arakai's Tear, an original mythic fantasy rooted in the ancient forests of Arduenna.

The completed screenplay has now been entered into the Cannes Film Awards screenplay competition, marking the beginning of its journey into the international film community.

Arakai's Tear is a story of guardianship, compassion, nature, and the consequences of power, centered on Elara, a young woman whose destiny becomes inseparable from an ancient force entrusted with protecting the balance between worlds.

An original collection of music for Arakai's Tear has also been completed, establishing the musical identity and emotional language envisioned for the film.

With the screenplay complete and its first competition submission underway, Arakai's Tear now enters the next stage of its development toward the screen.

I am deeply honored and humbled to have been selected as a Distinguished Author by the International Impact Book Awards for The Legend of Arakai and Arakai and the Sisters of Elune.

This recognition was completely unexpected and is especially meaningful to me. The world of Arakai holds a very special place in my creative journey — a world rooted in nature, balance, ancient memory, and the enduring connection between who we are and where we come from.

To have two works from the Arakai universe recognized together is something for which I am sincerely grateful.

My heartfelt thanks to the International Impact Book Awards and its panel for this distinction and for recognizing the stories and the world I have created.

— Yves Stilmant

I'm honored to share that The Chief's Legacy has been named Winner – Best Instrumental at the Los Angeles Film Awards (LAFA).

My sincere thanks to the jury and the entire LAFA team for this recognition. It is a privilege to have my music acknowledged alongside so many talented filmmakers and composers.

— Yves Stilmant

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Belgian-born composer Yves Stilmant has been named a Finalist in the 2026 InterContinental Music Awards (ICMA) for his original composition Son of the Belgae in the Celtic category.

Headquartered in Los Angeles, California, the InterContinental Music Awards recognizes exceptional artists from around the world and celebrates music as a universal language that connects cultures. Since its founding in 2011, ICMA has honored artists from more than 100 countries and is recognized for promoting artistic excellence, cultural diversity, and international collaboration through music.

Yves Stilmant is an award-winning Belgian-born composer, orchestrator, author, and member of the Hollywood Music in Media Awards (HMMA), based in South Lake Tahoe, California. His music bridges contemporary classical composition and cinematic storytelling, drawing inspiration from history, mythology, nature, and his European heritage. His work has received international recognition through numerous music competitions and film festivals across Europe, Asia, and North America.

Son of the Belgae is a deeply personal composition inspired by the ancient Celtic people of Belgica and the composer's own Belgian heritage. Through expressive orchestral writing, the work pays tribute to the enduring spirit, history, and cultural legacy of the Belgae while celebrating the timeless power of music to preserve identity and connect generations.

The winners of the 2026 InterContinental Music Awards will be announced during the online awards ceremony on August 23, 2026.

I am honored to announce that my book I Am Belgae has received the 2026 International Impact Book Award for Outstanding Literary Achievement in the category Culture/Society – Identity & Belonging.

This recognition holds special meaning for me because the book explores the themes that have inspired much of my recent musical work: heritage, identity, culture, and the enduring legacy of the Belgae people. Albums and compositions such as Guardians of Arduenna, Daughters of Arduenna, The Belgae: Echoes of Belgica, The Chief's Legacy, and Sacred Waters all draw from the same passion for preserving history and sharing the stories that shaped who we are.

While I am primarily known as a composer, this award is a reminder that music and storytelling often walk the same path. Whether through words or melodies, my goal has always been to honor the cultures, memories, and traditions that deserve to be remembered.

My sincere thanks to the International Impact Book Awards and its judges for this recognition.

— Yves Stilmant

I am honored to share that my composition Flight Beyond the Gate has been officially recognized as an Award Winner at the Bangkok Movie Awards 2026.

This recognition means a great deal to me, as the piece represents an important part of my ongoing cinematic and emotional journey as a composer. Through orchestral storytelling and immersive atmosphere, Flight Beyond the Gate was created to evoke reflection, transcendence, and the feeling of crossing beyond the boundaries of the known.

I would like to sincerely thank the jury and the entire Bangkok Movie Awards team for recognizing this work, as well as everyone who continues to support my music and artistic vision.

As I continue developing new cinematic projects inspired by history, humanity, mythology, and ancestral memory, moments like these remain deeply meaningful and encouraging.

— Yves Stilmant

"The Chief's Legacy" has been officially selected at the Cannes World Film Festival — Remember the Future (2026).

This recognition places the work among a curated group of international projects celebrated for their artistic vision, storytelling, and emotional impact. Rooted in the spirit of the Belgae and inspired by ancestral heritage, "The Chief's Legacy" reflects my ongoing commitment to cinematic composition that bridges history and modern orchestral expression.

Being acknowledged within the Cannes festival circuit is a meaningful milestone, and I'm grateful to see this piece resonate beyond the studio and reach a broader international audience.

More updates to follow as the festival season continues.

— Yves Stilmant