Kyrsten Mate (born in 1968) is an American sound designer and sound effects editor. A graduate of San Francisco State University, she began her career assisting at esteemed facilities like the Saul Zaentz Film Center and American Zoetrope, working with legendary figures such as Walter Murch on projects that included the 5.1 surround remixes of The Godfather Part II and Apocalypse Now Redux, and contributing to The Talented Mr. Ripley and K‑19. Mate joined Skywalker Sound in 1997 and steadily advanced through the ranks, from sound effects editor to sound designer and supervisor. In 2005, she broke new ground as the first woman to receive a sound designer credit on a major feature film—Jarhead—working under Walter Murch, a milestone in an industry long dominated by men. Her diverse career has connected her with cinematic and directorial icons, including Francis Ford Coppola, Anthony Minghella, Brad Bird, Steven Spielberg, and John Waters. Over the years, Mate has provided sound design, sound editing, and sound mixing for a diverse array of high-profile films across various genres. Her credits include Minority Report (2002), Iron Man 2 (as sound effects editor), The Avengers, Guardians of the Galaxy (as sound designer), Captain Marvel, Ready Player One, Mulan, and The Midnight Sky. A recognised leader in her field, Kyrsten Mate is a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and the Motion Picture Sound Editors. She has earned multiple Golden Reel Awards and nominations from the MPSE. Notably, she received Golden Reel Awards in 2008, 2012, 2014, and 2023 for her outstanding sound editing in animated feature and family programs. Her work on Iron Man 2, The Avengers, and Guardians of the Galaxy also brought nominations for Best Sound Editing – Sound Effects and Foley. In early 2025, Mate earned another Golden Reel Award for her role as sound designer on the Disney+ animated series X‑Men ’97. She has also been honoured for her work on The Midnight Sky, which received attention in the 2020 Golden Reel Awards.
Making Waves: The Art of Cinematic Sound
