Open call: Jonas Gwangwa Film Music Composition Initiative

The call is in celebration of the late South African musician, composer and Oscar nominee Jonas Gwangwa. The programme seeks to provide real-world experience, one-on-one mentorship and networking opportunities, with an aim to foster broader representation in film music composition. Participants will be matched with a filmmaker who is in the process of making a short film and will be given the opportunity to compose music for the film. Each participant will receive a grant to help support their film composition projects.

The programme is open to UK-based and US-based black artists and composers with at least three years of work experience as a musician. Four participants, two in the UK and two in the US, will be selected through an application process.

Participants will receive access to Academy members across various branches to gain an understanding of the filmmaking process, one-on-one mentorship with a member of the Academy’s Music Branch to learn about the practical aspects of composing for film, access to Academy events and screenings in London and Los Angeles, and introductions to leading practitioners from all areas of film music (including composer agents, music supervisors, orchestral managers, recording studio personnel, music editors, publicists and more), among other mentorship programming.

“After an incredibly successful first year, the Academy is excited for the second year of the Jonas Gwangwa Music Composition Initiative,” Academy senior vice president Kendra Carter said. “Our goal for this programme is to stimulate long-term career opportunities within the film industry for underrepresented musicians, and we thank our partners within Universal Music Group and our Academy members, whose passion, dedication and expertise enable this work.”

Interested artists should apply here.

View the original call here.