John Panfili

Award-winning film composer, arranger, orchestrator, and pianist

John Panfili is an award-winning Los Angeles–based film composer, arranger, orchestrator, and pianist whose music blends cinematic orchestration with a storyteller’s sensitivity. His work has been heard in theaters across the United States, and in spring 2024 he received the Zachary Booher Award for Best Music at the ASU Film Showcase for the short film Life in Full Bloom.

Short Bio

John Panfili is an award-winning film composer, arranger, and jazz pianist specializing in telling compelling stories through music. Blending elements of jazz, soul, classic film scoring, and electronic music, he brings a unique stylistic approach to timeless cinematic sound.

His music has been heard in theaters and film festivals across the country and recorded by professional ensembles in legendary studios including Evergreen Recording Studios and Tempest Recording Studios. At the end of the day, John’s music exists to finish your story.

Film & Media Work

John has composed original scores for narrative and documentary projects including Life in Full Bloom, Metamorphosis, Echoes of War, Needles, The Vagabond, and the feature documentary Go Tell That!.

His musical language spans classic film scoring, orchestral writing, jazz, epic orchestra, pop, and electronic styles—always guided by emotional clarity and narrative depth.

Selected Film Credits

Loose Change (2023) – ASU Capstone Film
Store Cat After Hours (2023) – ASU Animation Capstone Project
Snaps (2024) – ASU Capstone Film

Life in Full Bloom (2024) – ASU Capstone Film
Zachary Booher Award for Best Music

Metamorphosis (2024) – Independent Short Film
Premiered at IndieNights Film Festival, screened at TCL Chinese Theatre

Needles (2024) – ASU Capstone Film
Echoes of War (2025) – ASU Capstone Film
Go Tell That! (2025) – Independent Feature Documentary
The Vagabond (2025) – Independent Short Film

Arranger Credits

There Will Never Be Another You (2023)

The Wild Robot (2025)
Recorded by CSUN Studio Ensemble at Evergreen Recording Studios

Super Smash Bros x Tetris (2025)
Performed by CSUN Studio Ensemble at Plaza Del Sol

The Music That Makes Me Dance (2025)

Fractured (2025) – String & vocal arrangements
Song composed by Ryan Steven

My Way (2025)

Isfahan (2025)
Performed by CSUN jazz combos

After the Love Has Gone (2025)
Rehearsed by CSUN Studio Ensemble

Almost There (2025)
Performed by CSUN jazz combos

Original Songs & Compositions

I Wished for You (2022) – Featuring Ellie Kunnari
Life in Paradise (2022)
Like Someone in Love (2022)
Teardrops in the Sky (2022)
Betrayal (2022)

Sending You My Love (2023)
Key to the World (2023) – Written with Vince Manuele
I’d Love to Fall in Love in Autumn (2023)
Conversations of Peace (2023) – Album
Vince and Brianna’s Theme (2023)
Touching Memories (2023)
I Want You to Stay Here (2023)
Angelic (2023)
A Night Out (2023)
Someday My Love Will Come (2023)

My Late Valentine (2024)
Life in Full Bloom – Original Motion Picture Soundtrack (2024)
Metamorphosis – Original Motion Picture Soundtrack (2024)

Reminiscent (2025)
Recorded by Isaura LA String Quartet

Never Bought, Never Sold (2025)
Written in support of victims of the Los Angeles wildfires

Go Tell That! – Original Motion Picture Soundtrack (2025)

That’s How the World Turns (2025–2026)
Hummingbird (2025–2026)
With a musical voice rooted in orchestral color, emotional clarity, and a deep love for storytelling, John Panfili is committed to bringing every filmmaker’s vision to life.

Music meant to finish your story.