Video Game Composer Yoko Shimomura Receives BAFTA Fellowship

The Fellowship is the British Academy of Film and Television Arts' highest honor, and recognizes Shimomura's immense contribution to game music

The British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) has announced that Japanese composer Yoko Shimomura will be awarded a Fellowship at the BAFTA Games Awards, which are set to take place on April 8, 2025.

The Fellowship is the highest distinction that BAFTA offers, and it recognizes an outstanding and exceptional contribution to film, games, or television. Shimomura has been given the distinction for her work on prominent game soundtracks, including the Kingdom Hearts series, Final Fantasy XV, and Mario & Luigi.

Throughout her 30-year career writing video game music, Shimomura has established herself as the most prominent female composer in the genre. Her music appears on more than 45 games, in a range of styles.

A graduate of the Osaka Music School, where she studied the piano, Shimomura has worked for the major video game production companies Square and Capcom. Her game credits include Front Mission, Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars, Parasite Eve, and Legend of Mana.

Previous BAFTA Fellows include Judi Dench, Vanessa Redgrave, Martin Scorsese, and Helen Mirren. 

"I am absolutely delighted to receive such an amazing and prestigious award as this, although, honestly speaking, I still cannot quite believe it," Shimomura said. "I am who I am today thanks to all the people who have supported me, allowing me to continue being involved with the music that I love and discovering the medium of games where that music can flourish."

"I am deeply grateful to everyone in the games industry, to those who ask me to write my music and to all those who listen to it," she added. "I would like for them, and for everyone who has been a part of my life, to join with me in celebrating this award. Thank you so much."

"A pioneer of video game music, pianist and composer, Yoko has created unforgettable soundtracks for so many beloved games and paved the way for women in the industry at a time when it was overwhelmingly male-dominated," said Jane Millichip, CEO of BAFTA. "Her groundbreaking work has already inspired countless artists and will continue to resonate for generations."