We Are What You hear

Motion Picture Sound Editors (MPSE) is the premiere organization for sound editing professionals. It is dedicated to improving the recognition of its worldwide membership by educating the public and the entertainment industry of the artistic merit of sound editing.

The efforts of our talented and hard-working members can be heard across the globe every hour of the day. We welcome artists in all sound disciplines, including dialogue, ADR, sound effects, Foley, and music. If you would like to be considered for membership please apply now.

The MPSE welcomes all to join the celebration of sound at the prestigious Golden Reel Awards Gala.

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MPSE Bans Generative A.I. Sound from Golden Reel Award Eligibility

Los Angeles, Calif. – June 12, 2025 – The Motion Picture Sound Editors (MPSE) has always promoted and will continue to value the human endeavor of artistic creation. Our Golden Reel Award honors people who utilize their skills and artistry to push the boundaries of storytelling through sound.

We support and prize technological advances that assist artists in their creations. However, standards for the legal and ethical use of Generative A.I. have yet to be established and are far from being accepted broadly. What we choose to promote as award-worthy points to how much we value the human endeavor of artistic creation.

Because of these concerns and our organization’s mission to uphold and celebrate the creative human endeavor of sound and music editorial, sound design, and Foley artistry, the MPSE will not be accepting projects for awards consideration where Generative A.I. is used to create elements for the final soundtrack. Golden Reel Award qualification rules are being updated and will be published on our website soon.

As the industry evolves to adopt tools and techniques, current or yet to be developed, our board of directors and the A.I. Committee are poised to evolve our stance on this issue, ensuring we adhere to our mission. We remain open to what the technological future may bring in support of the humans working in the craft of sound editorial.

“It is an enormous question to ask: how much of our humanity are we willing to give away to technology, especially in the arts? The time to ponder that question, set up boundaries, and guide how A.I. is assimilated into our workflow and lives, was yesterday. The dam of A.I. has broken, and the waters are upon us. Choosing what we embrace as award-worthy filmmaking is a way of diverting those waters while we grapple with this exponential change. As A.I. technology infiltrates and permeates our industry, rules and accepted practices for its use need to emerge that keep artists at the forefront.” - David Barber, MPSE President

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Who We Are

Founded in 1953, the Motion Picture Sound Editors (MPSE) is a global community of visionary sound artists who define the sonic experience of cinema, television, and games. From the subtle nuances of dialogue to the pulse-pounding roar of action, MPSE members are the not-so-silent heroes behind the immersive audio that brings stories to life, captivating audiences worldwide.

Through its vibrant network of professionals spanning 40+ countries on 6 continents, the MPSE is dedicated to elevating the craft of sound and recognizing the indispensable role sound artists play in storytelling.

Committed to nurturing the next generation of sound talent, the MPSE offers mentorship programs and scholarships that provide aspiring sound professionals with the tools and support they need to achieve their goals.

Honoring Members

The Motion Picture Sound Editors annually presents and hosts the Golden Reel Awards, honoring outstanding achievements in sound editing, sound design, music editing, and foley artistry in film, television, and gaming.

The Golden Reel Award is recognized as one of the most prized accolades in sound editing, as it is judged and presented by peers. In addition to honoring the creative work in feature films, broadcast, and gaming, the MPSE bestows two individual recognition awards: the Career Achievement Award and the Filmmaker Award.

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Wavelength Magazine

MPSE Wavelength is the official quarterly publication of the Motion Picture Sound Editors. The stories in this publication highlight the top professional sound artists in the world, as well as new technologies, techniques, and insights into all things sound. All articles are written by and for sound editing professionals.

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Bringing the sound community together is a core aim of the MPSE. Check our Upcoming Events tab for the latest information about our many member events, including the Golden Reel Awards, our annual MPSE family picnic, our “MPSE Presents” screening and Q&A series, our annual Sounding Board event with CAS, and other conferences and mixers where the industry’s top talent gather.

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