CALLEJA, Aranzazu

Aránzazu Calleja is a Basque film composer, musician and violinist, born in Bilbao in 1977. Her work is closely connected with cinema, audiovisual storytelling and the expressive use of sound. She began composing for film through collaborations with directors such as Borja Cobeaga, and gradually developed a distinctive musical language that combines strings, electronics, folk elements, intimate textures and darker dramatic colours.
Calleja has written music for short films, feature films, documentaries and audiovisual projects. Her scores often support psychological tension, mystery and emotional atmosphere rather than functioning only as background music. She became internationally visible through films such as Timecrimes, The Platform and Akelarre / Coven. Her collaboration with Maite Arroitajauregi on Akelarre won the 2021 Goya Award for Best Original Music, one of the most important awards in Spanish cinema.
Her work places her among the most important contemporary Basque women composers working in film music. In addition to composing, Calleja has been active as a performer, educator and music therapist, and she has participated in major film and music contexts including Berlinale Talents and the San Sebastián Film Festival.