About

Sam Renard is a French/Belgian film music composer whose work is shaped by his international background and eclecticism.

Sam started playing in bands early on as a drummer, then moved to piano as he started composing. Throughout his teenage years in Asia, Sam discovered the vast creative palette of the orchestra and composers such as Stravinsky, Holst and Wagner. Growing up watching films and cartoons, Sam naturally gravitated towards film scores, and one day after listening to Hans Zimmer’s score for Gladiator (2000), Sam decided he wanted to score for film. 

To begin his journey, he traveled to the UK alone to pursue a higher education. After receiving his bachelors degree in Music Composition & Sound Engineering, Sam headed to the United States to pursue a 2-year master's degree in Music Composition for Film and Visual Media, at the UNC School of the Arts. There, he  worked with up-and-coming directors on numerous projects, and was nominated for best original score in the adventure-drama film Cookie (Dir. Declan Connor-Schaefer) in 2025. Another highlight of Sam’s time at UNCSA was his work for the documentary Music Between Us (Dir. Karolina Sandecka), which was presented at numerous festivals including the Moorhouse Human Rights Film Festival.

With a natural sensitivity to music and an inherent curiosity, Sam finds inspiration in new sounds, in the spark of collaboration, and in the rich tapestry of cultures he has encountered through his international upbringing in Europe and Asia. Each encounter and each experience nourishes his eclectic approach, giving his scores a voice that is emotional, cinematic and story-driven. 

Having a particular affinity for hybrid scoring, Sam enjoys “messing around” with digital and acoustic sounds, with composers such as John Williams, Thomas Newman, Ennio Morricone, Vangelis, and Philip Glass serving as major influences on his work. He also draws inspiration from classic rock, jazz manouche and electronica.

Diligent at work, Sam brings enthusiasm and passion to any collaborative opportunity, focused on creating an enjoyable environment and tailoring his craft to meet the needs of directors, producers and other artists alike.