RUBÉN GALLARDO RETURNS TO NEW YORK: FOUR PROJECTS FEATURING HIS MUSIC SELECTED FOR THE NEW YORK INTERNATIONAL FILMS INFEST 2026
The Mallorcan composer has secured a place for four audiovisual productions in the international festival, all reaching finalist status. This new recognition comes just two years after winning the International Award for Best Soundtrack at the same festival for his work on Mirror Stacy.
The music of Rubén Gallardo is once again crossing borders.
The Mallorcan composer has achieved the selection of four audiovisual projects featuring his original compositions for the New York International Films InFest, further consolidating his presence on the international film music scene.
All four selected projects have reached finalist status: Breaking Character (AJ Thames), Debod (Fernando Pardo), Reminiscencia (Silvia Collantes), and Lo Invisible (Lara Martorell). Four productions from very different narrative worlds, all sharing one essential element: original music composed by Gallardo, who has worked on each project to create a distinctive musical identity tailored to the needs of its respective story.
This new recognition holds special significance for the composer, as New York has become an important part of his professional journey. In 2024, Gallardo received the International Award for Best Soundtrack at the same festival for his work on Mirror Stacy (Arabella Sharkey). That achievement marked a major turning point in his career and encouraged him to continue pursuing his passion for film scoring.
Two years later, he returns to the festival with four selected projects, in an edition that once again recognises his work and versatility as a composer.
FOUR STORIES, FOUR DIFFERENT MUSICAL WORLDS
One of the most remarkable aspects of this selection is the diversity of the projects. The productions explore different cinematic genres, including comedy, drama and thriller, giving the composer the opportunity to experiment with a wide range of musical languages.
From the delicate interplay of flute and piano in Reminiscencia to the expressive presence of the solo cello in Lo Invisible, each production has presented a new creative challenge. In the latter, Gallardo particularly highlights the collaborative work with the musicians throughout the recording process, seeking to capture the sensitivity and emotional depth required by the story.
For the composer, every film represents an opportunity to explore new emotions, discover different creative paths and build something entirely distinct from his previous work.
INTERVIEW | RUBÉN GALLARDO: "MY GOAL IS TO KEEP TELLING STORIES THROUGH MUSIC AND SHARE THEM WITH THE WORLD"
How did you feel when you discovered that four projects you had worked on as a composer had been selected for an international festival in New York?
I feel truly grateful. It is wonderful news that makes me especially happy and excited. Normally, you might have one project selected for a festival, but having four projects I have been involved in, both national and international productions, featured in the same edition makes me incredibly proud. It means continuing to build this journey and seeing my music, my work and my talent reach audiences and receive recognition in a city like New York.
You previously won an award at this same festival in 2024. What does it mean to return two years later with four projects?
It brings me immense happiness. That recognition was a turning point in my career, not only because of the award itself, but also because of all the support and encouragement I received for my work. It gave me the motivation to keep growing and believing in myself. Returning to the festival in this new edition, especially with four such different projects, is an incredibly rewarding experience.
What would you highlight about the finalist projects and their respective soundtracks?
Above all, I would highlight how different they are from one another. Musically, they have given me the opportunity to showcase my versatility and the different approaches I bring to composition. Each project has offered me something unique because of its story and musical requirements.
I would particularly mention the delicate combination of flute and piano in Reminiscencia, as well as the solo cello in Lo Invisible. Working closely with the musicians to find the right sensitivity and emotional expression in their performances has been a wonderful experience.
What do you aim to convey when composing a film soundtrack?
A soundtrack must add something to the scene, emphasising the actions, the moment, the era and the characters. For me, it is a handcrafted process in which every note and every harmony has a purpose. It is not simply about creating beautiful music that fits the images. It goes much further than that.
I pay attention to the characters, what they feel, what they communicate, where they are, what surrounds them and everything happening around them. All these elements form part of a musical ecosystem.
Understanding the director's vision, the film genre and, above all, what the story needs is essential. That is where the role of the composer comes in: creating the music that the image requires.
What does it mean to you to develop your career from Mallorca and see your music reach international festivals?
It is incredibly rewarding, especially because these recognitions also help give a voice to film music. There is still a long way to go before soundtracks receive the recognition they truly deserve.
In Mallorca, we have festivals, awards and various cultural and film events, but I feel there is a lack of platforms that specifically recognise film music and the work of its composers.
I believe we have an important responsibility, particularly at a national level, to give visibility to our community and highlight the importance of music in cinema. That is why being part of this festival once again means so much to me. I am grateful for its support and for helping bring visibility to my work and, above all, to the art of film scoring.
What goals and new projects lie ahead for you?
My goal is to keep fulfilling dreams and building my career. It is a long journey, and reaching major productions requires a great deal of effort, dedication and sacrifice.
For now, I continue to enjoy every part of the process and this wonderful journey. I want to keep telling stories through my talent and share my music with people all around the world.
I am currently composing a new film score that will be released in 2027, while also working on a new musical that will be part of my upcoming projects.
A JOURNEY THAT CONTINUES TO GROW
Four selected projects, three finalists and a new international recognition. For Rubén Gallardo, this achievement represents fresh motivation to continue exploring, creating and championing the value of film music.
The awards ceremony of the New York International Films InFest 2026 will take place on Saturday, November 21, in New York City, presided over by the festival's president, Antoni Caimari, and attended by prominent personalities and celebrities from the film and audiovisual industries.
Rubén Gallardo and his entire team would like to express their sincere gratitude to the festival, its organisation and all the jury members for their trust, support and recognition of his work as a composer, as well as of the audiovisual productions featured in this edition.
This recognition represents another important motivation to continue growing professionally and contributing to the visibility of film music.
From Mallorca to New York, Rubén Gallardo's music continues to find new stories to tell.
