Newly-launched Ivors Composers Awards will honor video game composers
The Ivors Academy is launching a new award show dedicated to composers, including those working in the video game industry.
The non-profit organization is perhaps best known for celebrating musicians through its long-running Ivor Novello Awards, but will soon host a new ceremony to specifically celebrate composers and their craft.
The Ivors Composers Awards will take place in London on November 17, 2026, and will welcome composers across the movie, television, video game, and music industries.
"Creating a new Ivor Novello Awards ceremony dedicated to composers is the culmination of 71 years of championing compositional excellence. Since 1956, we have honoured the most remarkable composers, and we are building on that legacy with a new, elevated moment to honour their craft," said Roberto Neri, CEO of The Ivors Academy, in a press release.
"We are broadening recognition to reflect the full breadth of contemporary composition. More original music will be eligible, including works heard by audiences for the first time across a wide range of forms and contexts, from stage to screen, games, streaming, radio, festivals, in communities and beyond."
The Ivors Composers Awards will be judged by a panel of established composers and practitioners.
Nominated categories will celebrate music composed by British, Irish or UK-resident composers that was heard by UK audiences for the first time during a specific eligibility period. Entries will open on June 1, 2026.
Winners will receive a Ivor Novello Award statuette, previously handed out to music industry legends such as George Benjamin, Judith Weir, James MacMillan, Errollyn Wallen, Stephen Sondheim, Anne Dudley, John Barry, Debbie Wiseman and, Brian Eno.
