Tomás Barreiro
COMPOSER
“…Barreiro made particularly beautiful use of them, using techniques that are found in electric guitar and classical guitar, and the beautiful ending on harmonics that almost sounds like Japanese music was no accident. Mr Barreiro has a very fine ear. ”
Biography
Tomás Barreiro is not just a composer; he is a sonic dramatist who redefines the boundary between sound design and musical score. Hailed by Steve Reich for his "very fine ear," Barreiro has emerged as one of the most distinctive voices in global cinema.
His work is characterized by a fearless fusion of classical orchestration, experimental electronics, and raw, organic textures. Most recently, his collaboration with filmmaker Suzanne Andrews was selected to open the World Cinema Dramatic Competition at Sundance 2026, marking a new chapter in his international trajectory.
This follows his widely acclaimed score for "La Cocina" (starring Rooney Mara), which premiered in competition at the Berlinale, demonstrating his ability to orchestrate chaos into a rhythmic, industrial symphony. Known for his long-standing partnership with visionary director Alonso Ruizpalacios (Museo, Güeros), Barreiro creates scores that don't just accompany the image, but interrogate it.
A classically trained guitarist with a Master’s from the San Francisco Conservatory, Barreiro bridges the gap between academic rigor and visceral emotion. Based between Mexico City and Los Angeles, he is currently active in the highest tier of the festival circuit, crafting auditory identities for films that demand to be heard.
Tomás has built a robust portfolio across major global streamers. Current and upcoming projects include Ocote, from producer James Schamus (Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon/Brokeback Mountain), the Netflix series Santita (director Rodrigo García), and an upcoming series for HBO. Additionally, he is involved with the Disney/Hulu series La Máquina, featuring Andor star Diego Luna. Previous credits include They Came at Night (Y llegaron de noche), starring Seinfeld legend Jason Alexander and Eugenio Derbez. He is represented by Different Direction Management.