The US Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has partnered with UK-based music content company Mercury Studios to launch a career development programme for Black British musicians interested in composing for film.
The Jonas Gwangwa Music Composition Initiative is named after late South African musician and composer Jonas Gwangwa, an Oscar nominee in the original song and original score categories for 1987 historical drama Cry Freedom.
The one-year programme, which will begin in October and is open to UK-based Black musicians with at least three years of work experience, is designed to provide real-world experience, one-on-one mentorship and networking opportunities for participants. The aim, said AMPAS, is to foster broader representation for Black talent in the film composition field.
Participants will be given the opportunity to compose music for a short film, with funding coming from Mercury, part of Universal Music Group, as well as Decca Records and Abbey Road Studios.
UK-based AMPAS members Gary Yershon, Misan Sagay and Nainita Desai initiated the programme and said in a statement: “This initiative seeks to correct an imbalance. In contrast to the major contributions Black musicians are making to the music industry in the UK, their presence in the UK film industry is significantly lacking. Through this programme, we seek to build community amongst Black artists in the UK by highlighting opportunities to bridge film and music careers.”
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