The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has announced the renewal of the Jonas Gwangwa Music Composition Initiative for 2024, continuing its collaboration with Universal Music Group to support Black musicians aspiring to compose for film. This initiative, launched in 2022, honors the legacy of South African musician and Oscar nominee Jonas Gwangwa, who passed away in 2021. Gwangwa was recognized for his contributions to film music with Oscar nominations for Original Score and Original Song for “Cry Freedom,” which he co-composed with George Fenton.
The renewed program will again offer mentorship and networking opportunities designed to expand representation in film music composition. In its second year, the initiative is strengthened through a partnership with Universal Music Group’s Task Force for Meaningful Change (TFMC), Mercury Studios, Universal Music Publishing Group Classics and Screen, Decca Records, and UMG’s Globe.
Menna Demessie, Senior Vice President of UMG and Executive Director of the Task Force for Meaningful Change, emphasized the significance of the program. “Jonas Gwangwa’s legacy as an artist-activist who leveraged music for social change is profound, and it is a privilege to honor him through this initiative,” Demessie said. “We are committed to creating space for a more diverse range of film music composers and providing opportunities that will advance the industry.”
The Jonas Gwangwa Music Composition Initiative is open to Black artists and composers based in the U.K. and the U.S. with at least three years of professional experience. Four participants—two from the U.K. and two from the U.S.—will be selected through a competitive application process.
Selected participants will be paired with filmmakers developing short films, offering them the opportunity to compose original scores. Each participant will receive a grant to support their film composition projects. Additionally, participants will have access to Academy members across various branches for insights into the filmmaking process, one-on-one mentorship with a member of the Academy’s Music Branch, invitations to Academy events and screenings in London and Los Angeles, and introductions to leading figures in film music.
Kendra Carter, Senior Vice President of Impact and Global Talent Development at the Academy, expressed enthusiasm for the program’s continuation. “Following an incredibly successful inaugural year, we are thrilled to launch the second year of the Jonas Gwangwa Music Composition Initiative,” Carter said. “Our mission is to foster long-term career opportunities for underrepresented musicians in the film industry, and we are grateful to our partners at Universal Music Group and our Academy members for their unwavering support and expertise.”
The application process for the Jonas Gwangwa Music Composition Initiative will open later this year, and interested candidates are encouraged to prepare for the upcoming opportunity.
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