Yoko Shimomura to receive BAFTA Fellowship
BAFTA to recognise composer’s “groundbreaking work” that “paved the way for women in the industry at a time when it was overwhelmingly male-dominated”
Japanese composer and pianist Yoko Shimomura will be awarded a BAFTA Fellowship at the BAFTA Game Awards on April 8, 2025.
Shimomura will receive the accolade in recognition for her work composing scores for franchises including Kingdom Hearts, Final Fantasy 15 and Xenoblade Chronicles.
She is a graduate of the Osaka Junior College of Music, Department of Instrumental Music (piano), and is now a freelance composer after working for developers including Capcom and Square Enix.
“It is a real privilege to honour Yoko Shimomura with the BAFTA Fellowship this year,” said BAFTA CEO Jane Millichip.
“A pioneer in 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.
“Her groundbreaking work has already inspired countless artists and will continue to resonate for generations.”
Last year, PlayStation veteran Shuhei Yoshida received a BAFTA Fellowship. In 2021, Media Molecule’s studio director Siobhan Reddy was the first woman to be given the award.
The 21st BAFTA Game Awards will take place on April 8, 2025 at the Queen Elizabeth Hall in London, and will be streamed on Twitch. Ninja Theory’s Senua’s Saga: Hellblade 2 has been nominated for 11 awards.
