Maleficent, Fantastic Beasts, The Hunger Games, and Pretty Woman – these are just a few of the many famous films connected by the magical music of James Newton Howard. One of the most sought-after composers in Hollywood will appear at the FMF (Film Music Festival) for the first time and personally conduct the orchestra!
James Newton Howard is without a doubt one of the key figures of contemporary film music. Born in Los Angeles, the composer, conductor, and pianist has been working with the biggest film studios since the 1980s. Over his impressive career, he has received numerous prestigious awards, including Emmys and Grammys, and has been nominated for the Academy Award nine times!
The artist has created unforgettable scores for hits such as Pretty Woman, Maleficent, The Huntsman: Winter’s War, Blood Diamond, King Kong, Peter Pan, and the Fantastic Beasts and The Hunger Games series. Particularly noteworthy is his long-standing collaboration with director M. Night Shyamalan on films such as The Sixth Sense, Signs, and The Village.
The Kraków concert will reveal the multifaceted nature of Howard’s work. However, it won’t be just an ordinary compilation of famous themes. In specially prepared suites for the FMF audience, the composer will also revisit music from some of his lesser-known films. Moreover, he will personally conduct the orchestra and take on the roles of host and narrator, sharing anecdote-filled stories about working in the “dream factory.”
May 14th, 2026
The Magic of James Newton Howard
Maleficent, Fantastic Beasts, The Hunger Games, and Pretty Woman – these are just a few of the many famous films connected by the magical music of James Newton Howard. One of the most sought-after composers in Hollywood will appear at the FMF (Film Music Festival) for the first time and personally conduct the orchestra!
James Newton Howard is without a doubt one of the key figures of contemporary film music. Born in Los Angeles, the composer, conductor, and pianist has been working with the biggest film studios since the 1980s. Over his impressive career, he has received numerous prestigious awards, including Emmys and Grammys, and has been nominated for the Academy Award nine times!
The artist has created unforgettable scores for hits such as Pretty Woman, Maleficent, The Huntsman: Winter’s War, Blood Diamond, King Kong, Peter Pan, and the Fantastic Beasts and The Hunger Games series. Particularly noteworthy is his long-standing collaboration with director M. Night Shyamalan on films such as The Sixth Sense, Signs, and The Village.
The Kraków concert will reveal the multifaceted nature of Howard’s work. However, it won’t be just an ordinary compilation of famous themes. In specially prepared suites for the FMF audience, the composer will also revisit music from some of his lesser-known films. Moreover, he will personally conduct the orchestra and take on the roles of host and narrator, sharing anecdote-filled stories about working in the “dream factory.”