APRA and AGSC 2003 Screen Music Award nominations were for music composed for feature films, telemovies and mini-series, children’s television, advertisements, short films and documentaries.

Special recipient of the lifetime achievement award was the Academy Award winning composer Elmer Bernstein. His screen credits are in excess of 200 and his compositions include the music scores from Far From Heaven (2002), Bringing Out the Dead (1999), The Age of Innocence (1993), The Field (1990), Ghost Busters (1984), Animal House (1978), The Great Escape (1963), To Kill a Mockingbird (1962), The Magnificent Seven (1960) and The Ten Commandments (1956).

“This year’s nominations are an outstanding reflection of the commitment of Australian composers to excellence, creativity and innovation in the art of screen composition. To have a composer of Elmer Bernstein’s calibre honour the achievements of our finest screen composers makes for a truly exceptional awards event,” says AGSC president, Art Phillips.

Special mention is made of Cezary Skubiszewski, who is nominated in 4 categories; Nigel Westlake, nominated for 2 feature films; and Lisa Gerrard, who is nominated for 2 awards. The 2003 APRA-AGSC Screen Music Awards was held on Monday, 3 November, 2003 at The Hordern Pavilion at Fox Studios Australia.