The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has announced the launch of the Jonas Gwangwa Music Composition Initiative, a program to help black British musicians interested in developing a career in film composition.
The program starts in October and is in collaboration with Mercury Studios. To celebrate the late South African musician, composer and Oscar nominee Jonas Gwangwa (“Cry Freedom”), the program will provide real-world experience, one-on-one mentorship and networking opportunities.
Part of the academy’s ongoing Aperture 2025 global outreach efforts and commitment, aims to promote broader representation in film music composition, with an emphasis on black British talent. The initiative was led by U.K.-based Academy members Gary Yershon (Music Branch), Misan Sagay (Writers Branch) and Nainita Desai (Music Branch).
“This initiative seeks to correct an imbalance. “Unlike the major contributions black musicians make to the UK music industry, their presence in the UK film industry is significantly lacking,” Yershon, Sagay and Desai said in a statement. highlight opportunities for bridging film and music careers. “
The program is open to U.K.-based black artists and composers with at least three years of work experience as a musician.
Two participants will be selected for the program and will have access to Academy members across different 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 introductions to leading performers from all areas of film music, including mentor programming.
Furthermore, the participants will be matched with a filmmaker who is in the process of making a short film and will have the opportunity to compose music for the film.
Two grants from Universal Music Group’s Mercury Studios, a full-service, global production film and television studio, and Decca Records will help fund the composition work. Additional programming and support will be provided by Abbey Road Studios.
Applications for the Jonas Gwangwa Music Composition Initiative are currently open. Visit https://oscars.org/learn/jonas-gwangwa-initiative for more information.
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