Reel Change Film Fund
Powered by SESAC and Christophe Beck, with additional support from Sonos; administered by New Music USA
About the 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.
What the Fund Supports
Reel Change supports costs that will enhance and help deliver the music score for a narrative or documentary film that is already in production in the US. Each grant we award aims 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 value of the film as a whole
Supportable expenses include but are not limited to:
Composer compensation for creating the score
Funds to pay live musicians
Engineer and recording fees, including mixing, editing, recording
Studio costs
Orchestration or score preparation costs
Equipment including necessary software/hardware for the project
Other 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
The Fund does not support:
Scores for films with a budget in excess of $20m
Scores for films that are produced primarily outside of the US
Costs not directly related to the production of the original score, such as sound effects, or licensed music
Scores for studio-funded productions
Selection Process
Projects are evaluated by an Advisory Board made up of leading composers in the field including Christophe Beck, Kris Bowers, Pinar Toprak, Tony Morales, Jongnic “JB” Bontemps, Miriam Cutler, Chanda Dancy, Vivek Maddala and Carlos Rafael Rivera. Applications will be reviewed as they are submitted.
Selections are based on the following criteria:
Artistry – projected artistic impact of the score based on the composer’s creative proposal and existing body of work
Need – how you want to use the money and why you need support
Impact – the difference this project will make to the next steps in your career
Deadlines and Notification
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis and will be reviewed upon receipt. Please allow a few months for a response.
Mentoring
Mentorship opportunities are available from Christophe Beck and/or other members of the Advisory Board for any applicants interested in this additional support. The scale and scope of mentoring will be coordinated amongst the participating parties.
How to Apply
Applications are submitted online at https://newmusicusa.smapply.io/prog/reel_change_film_fund_
Projects will be processed and evaluated as they are submitted. Please allow a few months for a response.
Reel Change Film Fund
Reel Change Film Fund
Powered by SESAC and Christophe Beck, with additional support from Sonos; administered by New Music USA
About the 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.
What the Fund Supports
Reel Change supports costs that will enhance and help deliver the music score for a narrative or documentary film that is already in production in the US. Each grant we award aims 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 value of the film as a whole
Supportable expenses include but are not limited to:
Composer compensation for creating the score
Funds to pay live musicians
Engineer and recording fees, including mixing, editing, recording
Studio costs
Orchestration or score preparation costs
Equipment including necessary software/hardware for the project
Other 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
The Fund does not support:
Scores for films with a budget in excess of $20m
Scores for films that are produced primarily outside of the US
Costs not directly related to the production of the original score, such as sound effects, or licensed music
Scores for studio-funded productions
Selection Process
Projects are evaluated by an Advisory Board made up of leading composers in the field including Christophe Beck, Kris Bowers, Pinar Toprak, Tony Morales, Jongnic “JB” Bontemps, Miriam Cutler, Chanda Dancy, Vivek Maddala and Carlos Rafael Rivera. Applications will be reviewed as they are submitted.
Selections are based on the following criteria:
Artistry – projected artistic impact of the score based on the composer’s creative proposal and existing body of work
Need – how you want to use the money and why you need support
Impact – the difference this project will make to the next steps in your career
Deadlines and Notification
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis and will be reviewed upon receipt. Please allow a few months for a response.
Mentoring
Mentorship opportunities are available from Christophe Beck and/or other members of the Advisory Board for any applicants interested in this additional support. The scale and scope of mentoring will be coordinated amongst the participating parties.
How to Apply
Applications are submitted online at https://newmusicusa.smapply.io/prog/reel_change_film_fund_
Projects will be processed and evaluated as they are submitted. Please allow a few months for a response.