Film scoring alumna wins Best Score at Brussels International Film Festival

Following a win for Best Score at the Brussels International Film Festival and recognitions at others for their short film “Sam,” Elizabeth Killmon (’23), her co-composer, Jake Rahm, and director Laura Palacio (‘23), are seeking to glorify God through their budding careers in the filmmaking and music industries.

Killmon graduated last year as a double major in film scoring and interdisciplinary studies and has scored four films thus far. Killmon said she uses film scoring and the medium of music as a way to tell stories and express herself more strongly than speaking.

“I struggle with speaking quite a bit, and by composing music, it has given me the words that I don’t always have.”

The opportunity to work on “Sam” came as a surprise to Killmon. She was taking a break from writing scores to focus on improving her music skills. Then, during a meet-and-greet for composers and filmmakers from Liberty’s Cinematic Arts, Zaki Gordon Center in 2022, she met Palacio, a cinematic arts student at the time who would become the writer and director of “Sam.”

“Laura was looking for some Pixar-like orchestral music. Without my knowledge, Jake (Rahm), who I had met in a music class a year before, referred her to me,” Killmon said. “Seemingly out of the blue, she came looking for me, she shared the synopsis and showed me the rough cut of ‘Sam,’ and I instantly fell in love with the film. When the collaboration became official, Jake and I got to work on developing melodies and musical ideas for each of the characters.”

The film’s score became a combination of Killmon’s orchestral pieces and Rahm’s pop and electronic music production elements, and Killmon said that Palacio was heavily involved in its creation too.

“Each of us scored half of the film, and we passed individual recordings back and forth to make sure each cue transitioned smoothly,” she said of her and Rahm’s work. “I think the score was a success because our director, Laura, was very involved in its creation. Laura knew exactly how she wanted the score to function, both emotionally and artistically. Jake and I may have composed the melodies, but we were bringing Laura’s story and ideas to life.”

The film follows a teenager who is isolated by being on the autism spectrum and struggles to let go of his imaginary friends.

Since the film’s completion, it has been submitted and screened at multiple film festivals around the country and internationally, culminating in the win at the Brussels Film Festival and semi-finalist recognitions at the Melbourne, Chicago, London, and New York international film festivals. The first time they were awarded Best Score, however, was at the Flames Awards, the ceremony presented by Liberty’s cinematic arts program for its thesis short films.

This recognition of her collaborative work, Killmon said, has been a timely reminder to her of how she ought to view her craft: as an opportunity to use her gifts for the glory of God and to be a Christian witness to others.

“Before all of this, I was trying to prove myself as a composer and be the best that I could be for my own glory,” she said. “As I reflect, I believe God used those experiences to prepare me for many opportunities, like this film, to do my best for His glory and not my own. In doing that, I (get) to be a light for Christ — a Champion for Christ.”

Killmon is now working toward receiving her master’s in music education, while also continuing to score films and teach violin in her private studio and at Allegro Music School in Lynchburg, Va.

Her time at Liberty laid the foundation for her current work, she said, recalling how her professors in the School of Music were often encouraging her to strive for her best work and to do so with God in mind.

“They made sure that all we were doing was to the best of our ability and for the glory of God,” she said. “They were sharing their experiences of being in the film industry and continuing to stay strong in their relationship with Christ, and that was encouraging to me and all of my (classmates) as well. As I look back on it, that really prepared me for moments such as this (experience with “Sam”) and as an educator now too.”

“Sam” will be released in some capacity following its festival rotation. Killmon said she plans to release her scores from past work on music streaming services in the coming months beginning in August. Rahm also releases music to streaming, under the artist name Alory.