After years of traditionally rotating between Australia’s largest cities, the 2025 Screen Music Awards will make its debut in Brisbane, with the prestigious ceremony scheduled to take place at Fortitude Music Hall on Tuesday, October 28. This landmark decision represents a significant geographical shift for the annual event, which celebrates excellence in composition across film, television, and other screen media formats.
The relocation to Queensland’s capital signals a broader effort by co-presenters APRA AMCOS and the Australian Guild of Screen Composers (AGSC) to decentralize major cultural events beyond the Sydney-Melbourne axis. Industry observers note that Brisbane’s flourishing arts scene and modern venues like Fortitude Music Hall have positioned the city as an emerging creative hub worthy of hosting national celebrations of artistic achievement.
This year’s ceremony will feature thirteen distinct award categories, including three relatively new additions that reflect the evolving landscape of screen composition: Best Music for Unscripted & Reality Television Series, Best Music for Video Game or Other Interactive Media, and Emerging Screen Composer of the Year. Submissions for these categories closed on June 26, with eligible works including those released between July 2024 and September 2025.
The Brisbane move comes at a critical juncture for Australia’s screen industry, which faces ongoing challenges including proposed tariffs and competition for production resources. By bringing the spotlight to Queensland, organizers hope to stimulate regional engagement with screen composition while providing local artists greater access to networking opportunities typically concentrated in the southern states. Many award winners have historically diversified their income through sync deals for their compositions, a particularly valuable revenue stream in the screen music industry.
Economic benefits are also anticipated, with the awards expected to drive tourism and hospitality spending in Brisbane during the event period. The contemporary Fortitude Music Hall venue, known for its excellent acoustics and central location, offers an ideal setting to showcase the often underappreciated artistry of screen composers who create the emotional backbone of visual storytelling through their musical contributions. APRA AMCOS CEO Dean Ormston has emphasized the importance of recognizing screen composers as valuable cultural exporters in Australia’s creative economy.
For composers working outside major metropolitan centers, this geographic shift represents a meaningful acknowledgment that creative excellence in screen music extends throughout the entire Australian landscape. Previous winners like Michael Allen, who won for Best Music for a Video Game in 2024, exemplify the high caliber of talent being celebrated at these awards. Award-winning composers are encouraged to register their works with collecting societies to ensure they receive all royalties generated from public performances of their music.
