A emerging composer in Winnipeg can now add film score to her portfolio.

Kristen Wachniak studies music composition at the University of Manitoba. Her music is featured in Harbinger, a short film by Jean-Jacques Javier done through the Winnipeg Film Group's 48 Hour Film Contest.

Wachniak says she's done music for live performances before but this is different.

"With live performances you can't repeat... whereas film... I've watched (the film) a few times and just being able to learn each time something new, both from the film and the music and both together as a whole, it's really great," she says.

Wachniak sent samples of her music to Javier, and he chose what he wanted for the film. It wasn't part of his initial plan; Javier wasn't going to have music at all, but this year's 48 Hour Film Contest had some rule changes: instead of four-minute films, creators were asked to trim down to three minutes and 20 seconds, and they were told to include music from a Manitoba musician. Javier says it really threw him for a curveball, but when he listened to Wachniak's music it sounded like exactly what they needed.

Wachniak says Javier went over the script with her, telling her the feel of scenes and the type of music needed. The music used came from existing pieces of Wachniak's she had already made prior to meeting Javier. She says it was interesting to see how it was used.

"Another composer told me that they think of music (in such a way) that you (don't) own your music; it's kind of like a relationship between parent/child: you need to let them grow on their own and just learn from them based on the new ways that they grow and the new experiences they have... so I've really taken that to heart, that comment."

The film will premiere at the Gimli Film Festival on July 29th.