Reel Change Film Fund Grant

The Reel Change Film Fund is a five-year initiative aimed at supporting underrepresented film composers in the industry. It provides grants averaging $20,000 to assist US-based projects in production or post-production. Created by Christophe Beck and SESAC, this fund addresses the lack of diversity in film scoring, promoting inclusivity for diverse composers. Through mentorship and financial support, it seeks to elevate the careers of talented individuals from various backgrounds, enhancing the overall landscape of film music.

About this fund
Reel Change supports developing composers who are creating music for film through targeted grants and high-impact mentorship. This pivotal program gives composers at crucial career stages the resources they need to produce compelling, original scores.
The fund supports projects currently in production where additional funding and/or mentoring would be beneficial to the quality of the score and to the advancement of the composer’s career. An advisory board consisting of leading film composers is responsible for assessing all submissions.
Initially established as a five-year program in 2020, funding for Reel Change was renewed in 2025 for an additional three years. Four to six grants averaging $20,000 are awarded each year.
Why this fund was created
Christophe Beck, in partnership with SESAC, initiated this fund to encourage and support talented film composers whose voices have been excluded from an almost entirely white, male world. In 2020, 95% of the top 250 films at the box office were scored by men; and there are no statistics available about the representation of BIPOC composers in film scoring. The fund is administered by New Music USA, a national non-profit which runs a number of music and social justice programs. An advisory board consisting of leading film composers will be responsible for assessing all submissions.
What the fund will support
The aim of this fund is to support costs that will enhance and help deliver the music score for a feature-length narrative or documentary film which is already in production or post-production. With each of the grants we award, we hope to:

• strengthen the composer’s ability to highlight their project as a springboard for the next step in their career
• improve composers’ working conditions to maximize creativity and inspiration
• help improve the production values of the film as a whole
• It is envisaged that grants averaging $20,000 will be given to 4 to 6 film composers per year.

Eligibility

Supportable expenses include but are not limited to:
Composer compensation for creating the scoreFunds to pay live musiciansEquipment including necessary software/hardware for the projectEngineer and recording fees, including mixing, editing, recordingStudio costsOrchestration or score preparation costs

Ineligibility

What the fund will not support:
Scores for films with a budget in excess of $20mScores for films which are produced primarily outside the USCosts not directly related to the production of the original score, such as sound effects, or licensed musicScores that are not independently financedScores for short filmsOther points to note:

• Funds requested should supplement the overall project’s music budget and not provide sole support
• Applicants should be prepared to provide receipts/invoices for relevant expenses related to the project if requested.