Deadline: 7 August 2024
The Jonas Gwangwa Music Composition Initiative is designed for musicians interested in composing music for film, with an emphasis on Black composers.
It offers real-world experience combined with one-on-one mentorship and once-in-a-lifetime networking opportunities.
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive global film community. In celebration of the late South African film composer and Oscar nominee Jonas Gwangwa, the Jonas Gwangwa Music Composition Initiative aims to foster broader representation in film music composition.
Four artists will be selected to participate in a six-month-long career development program in partnership with Universal Music Group’s (UMG) Task Force for Meaningful Change (TFMC), Mercury Studios, Universal Music Publishing Group Classics and Screen, Decca Records and UMG’s Globe.
Jonas Gwangwa (1937-2021) was a South African jazz musician and composer who received Academy Award nominations for Original Score and Original Song, for his work (with George Fenton) on “Cry Freedom” (1987).
Program Benefits
- Curated access to Academy members across various branches to gain a complete understanding of the making of a film from different department heads.
- 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, U.K. or Los Angeles, CA.
- Introductions to leading practitioners from all areas of film music: composer agents, music supervisors, orchestral managers, recording studio personnel, music editors, publicists, etc.
- During the program, each participant 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.
Eligibility Criteria
- The program is open to U.K.-based and U.S.-based Black artists/composers with more than three years of work experience as a musician. If selected, U.S. recipients will need to be in Los Angeles, CA, and U.K. recipients in London, U.K., for in-person events during the program. All participants will be responsible for any travel and all other expenses.
For more information, visit Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
