NFTS launches new composing scholarship with Bleeding Fingers Music support
A new scholarship backed by Bleeding Fingers Music will support aspiring screen composers joining the National Film and Television School’s MFA in Composing.
The National Film and Television School (NFTS) has announced a new scholarship for students on its Composing for Film and Television MFA, created in partnership with Bleeding Fingers Music, the composer collective co-founded by Hans Zimmer, Steven Kofsky and Russell Emanuel. The Bleeding Fingers Scholarship will support students across multiple cohorts of the two-year course, with one scholarship awarded to an outstanding candidate on the basis of creative excellence, commitment to a career in screen composing and financial need. NFTS said the new initiative reflects a shared commitment to supporting the next generation of diverse screen-composing talent. Bleeding Fingers Music operates as a joint venture between Sony Music Publishing’s production music arm, Extreme Music, and RCI Global.
Jon Wardle, Director of NFTS, said, ‘We are incredibly grateful to Bleeding Fingers Music for their generous support of this newly established scholarship. At the NFTS, we are committed to ensuring that the most talented individuals can access our training, regardless of their financial background. This scholarship will help us continue to attract and uplift exceptional composers who will go on to soundtrack the screen industries in years to come.’
Russell Emanuel, CEO of Bleeding Fingers, said, ‘The future of our industry depends on who gets the opportunity to step into it. This scholarship is about finding exceptional talent, supporting it properly, and giving those composers a real shot at building lasting careers. We’re excited to partner with NFTS to help make that a reality.’
Steven Kofsky, Chairman of Bleeding Fingers, added, ‘Bleeding Fingers was built on the idea of giving talented composers a real pathway into the industry. This scholarship is a natural extension of that. As we expand with the launch of Bleeding Fingers UK, it creates a powerful gateway for new composers to access our global network and begin building real careers in screen music.’
NFTS highlighted the international success of alumni from its composing programme, whose credits span independent and feature films, high-end television, commercials and award-winning productions. Graduates include Natalie Holt, Segun Akinola, Nainita Desai, Dario Marianelli, Martin Phipps and Adiescar Chase.
Applications for the Composing for Film and Television MFA are open until 7 May 2026. Eligible applicants who are offered a place on the course will then be invited to apply for funding and can indicate their interest in the Bleeding Fingers Scholarship.