Biography
Ali Helnwein is an Austrian composer and conductor based in Los Angeles. Born in Vienna on 25 March 1982, he studied at Hans Zimmer’s Media Ventures studio and spent seven years working with arranger and conductor David Campbell. In 2006 he founded the Traction Avenue Chamber Orchestra, which he continues to conduct; the ensemble is noted for premiering new works in unconventional venues.
Helnwein has scored numerous independent features and documentaries that have screened at Sundance, SXSW and Tribeca, including Stray (2021), Darlin' (2019), This Much We Know (2023), Brut Force (2022) and Made in Ethiopia (2024). He has also contributed original music or arrangements to Netflix series such as the Untold anthology and HBO documentaries, as well as additional music for theatrical features including 80 for Brady (2023). His score for the 2025 thriller Electra was released as a soundtrack album.
