The APRA-AGSC Screen Awards represent the successful marriage of two defining elements of contemporary Australian culture: music and film.

Since 2002, the annual Screen Music Awards have been proudly presented by the Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA) and the Australian Guild of Screen Composers (AGSC), and held in both Sydney and Melbourne. The Awards have honoured the outstanding achievements of the unseen champions of the Australian and international film industries: composers such as David Hirschfelder, Peter Best, Lisa Gerrard, Bruce Rowland and Bruce Smeaton.

"Sound and music are no longer peripheral when it comes to film. They have become central to the viewing experience of audiences everywhere."

Brett Cottle, APRA|AMCOS CEO

The inaugural Screen Music Awards were held in 1992 in a small, smoke-filled club with just 40 guests. The Awards were initiated by the AGSC to follow their Annual General Meeting. The idea of Martin Armiger, who later went on to serve as AGSC president for seven years; the 1992 Awards were hosted by Bob Young, as then president of the Guild. That first year also saw David Hirschfelder, receive his first AGSC Award for Strictly Ballroom in the Best Soundtrack category.

"The Awards celebrate the craft of writing music for the screen - a language of emotions that enhance storytelling."

Art Phillips, AGSC President

Over the past 15 years, the Screen Music Awards have evolved into a premier event on the film and music industry calendars. Held in sophisticated inner city concert halls and venues, the APRA-AGSC Screen Music Awards have always provided an opportunity for screen composers to gather, network, reminisce and 'kick up their heels', in style. Since 2002, the Awards ceremony has featured a live orchestra to perform the nominated and winning works; and the subsequent black tie dinner provides an elegant back drop for the annual 'get-together'.

"The great thing about coming to this Awards Ceremony is clocking people like Grabowsky, Bridie, Best and lots more. People who have made the stories we tell, completely memorable. I believe you guys articulate the soul of stories that are told in this country."

Penny Chapman, Producer and presenter at the 2006 APRA-AGSC Screen Music Awards.

The Screen Awards honour music composers across 13 categories including compositions for documentaries, short films, miniseries, children's television and feature film scores. Panels of highly respected Australian film and television composers determine four nominees across 10 categories. APRA uses statistical analysis to define nominations based on performance activity as reflected by earnings for the categories of Most Performed Screen Composer - Australia and Most Performed Screen Composer - Overseas. The prestigious International Achievement Award is also presented annually.