Six of the finalists represent Poland, two Germany, and one each – Hungary and the United Arab Emirates.
Participants, aged 18 to 35, were expected to submit a 10- to 15-minute piece inspired by The Tower of Babel, the famous 16th-century painting by Pieter Bruegel the Elder.
On 24 and 25 June, the compositions of the ten finalists will be given their world premieres in two concerts by La Nostra Banda, the orchestra of the Polski Theatre in Bielsko-Biała, southern Poland.
The winners' names will be announced on 27 June during the competition's final concert.
The winner is to receive EUR 25,000 in prize money and be offered career-development opportunities.
An international jury, chaired by Preisner, comprises Lisa Gerrard, Australian singer and composer of the iconic band Dead Can Dance; Spanish filmmaker and writer Fernando Trueba; Mexican actor and producer Michel Duval; and American singer and songwriter Matthew Sweet.
Preisner, 71, owes his reputation primarily to his soundtracks to the Three Colours trilogy, the Decalogue series, and The Double Life of Véronique by Polish director Krzysztof Kieślowski
His output also includes scores to features by other leading European directors, as well as several large-scale compositions.
(mk/ał)