About the Composer Representation Report
A descriptive study of representation in film music.
The Composer Representation Report documents long-term patterns in the representation of women and People of Color across U.S. film music credits and awards. The goal is to provide a factual foundation for industry-wide discussion, not to assign individual responsibility or recommend policy.
Read the full report for detailed methodology and findings.
About the Author
Sandrine Rudaz
Sandrine Rudaz is a Swiss-French film and concert composer and a three-time Hollywood Music in Media Award winner. She is a member of the Recording Academy, World Soundtrack Academy, and European Film Academy, and serves on the board of the Alliance of Women Film Composers.
Purpose and scope
The analysis focuses on long-term representation patterns across composers and key music department roles in the top-grossing U.S. films each year. The report is descriptive and does not seek to explain underlying causes, evaluate artistic merit, or attribute individual responsibility. Its purpose is to provide a factual basis for evidence-based reflection among industry stakeholders.
Film sample
- Top 300 U.S. domestic box-office films released each year
- Years covered: 2000-2025
- Total films analyzed: 7,800
Roles analyzed
- Individuals covered: 8,000+ credited professionals
- Roles considered: composers, conductors, engineers, music editors, music preparation teams, orchestrators, and orchestration teams
Awards coverage
- Full historical record of Original Score or equivalent categories
- Awards: Academy Awards, Golden Globe Awards, Grammy Awards
Data sources
- Internet Movie Database (IMDb)
- Publicly available information
For full methodology, definitions, limitations, and statistical analysis, see the complete report (PDF).
Credibility and independence
This publication is an independent work. The analysis, conclusions, and presentation of findings are the sole responsibility of the author and do not reflect the views of any other individual or organization. The author declares no conflicts of interest related to the subject matter, analysis, or conclusions of this report.
How to cite this report
Recommended citation: Rudaz, S. (2026). Composer Representation Report.