ABOUT
Neil Dinar Athale is a British Asian film and television composer, songwriter, and producer based in the UK. He has scored numerous acclaimed, award-winning, and internationally released feature films, and is known for emotionally driven, melodic storytelling and a collaborative approach to filmmaking.
Neil’s latest feature is Giant, a boxing biopic based on the life of Prince Naseem Hamed. Executive produced by Sylvester Stallone and starring Pierce Brosnan, the film is set for worldwide release throughout 2026.
Previously, Neil composed the score for the Sky Cinema Original feature Twist, a modern reimagining of Oliver Twist, starring Academy Award winner Michael Caine alongside Lena Headey, released globally.
Netflix released the noir thriller Strange But True, produced by La La Land’s Fred Berger and starring Margaret Qualley, Nick Robinson, Greg Kinnear, Amy Ryan, and Brian Cox. The film reached the Top 10 on Netflix in both the UK and US following its release.
Neil’s breakthrough as a feature composer came with the critically acclaimed Wasteland (also known as The Rise). Starring Vanessa Kirby, Iwan Rheon, Neil Maskell, and Timothy Spall, the film premiered to strong acclaim at the Toronto International Film Festival before receiving an international release.
Following Wasteland, Neil went on to score a range of feature films including the British drama North vs South, the comedy drama Golden Years, and Gloves Off.
Born in Yorkshire to a British mother and Indian father, Neil moved to London at 18 and established himself in the session musician scene, touring internationally as a guitarist with a number of successful artists. After several years on the road, he shifted his focus to songwriting and production, leading to a publishing deal with Universal Music and collaborations with major label artists including James Bay, Paloma Faith, George the Poet, and Red Velvet. This period also laid the groundwork for his work in music supervision, bringing a deep understanding of artist-led storytelling, licensing, and the creative integration of songs into narrative film.
This background in commercial music provided a strong foundation for Neil’s transition into screen composition, sharpening his instinct for memorable, melodic writing while reinforcing the collaborative ethos essential to working in film and television.