Yoko Shimomura to receive BAFTA Fellowship
BAFTA will acknowledge the composer’s “innovative contributions” that “opened doors for women in the field during an era when it was predominantly male-dominated.”
Eastern composer and pianist Yoko Shimomura is set to receive a BAFTA Fellowship at the BAFTA Game Awards on April 8, 2025.
Shimomura is being honored for her exceptional work composing music for popular franchises including Kingdom Hearts, Final Fantasy 15, and Xenoblade Chronicles.
She is an alumna of the Osaka Junior College of Music, specializing in piano within the Department of Instrumental Music, and is currently a freelance composer after her tenure with developers such as Capcom and Square Enix.
“It is a true honor to celebrate Yoko Shimomura with the BAFTA Fellowship this year,” stated BAFTA CEO Jane Millichip.
“A trailblazer in video game music, pianist, and composer, Yoko has crafted unforgettable soundtracks for countless beloved games and laid the groundwork for women in the industry at a time when it was predominantly male-dominated.
“Her innovative work has already influenced countless artists and will continue to resonate for generations to come.”
Last year, PlayStation’s Shuhei Yoshida received a BAFTA Fellowship. The year prior,