Bert Shefter (May 15, 1902 – June 29, 1999) was a Russian-born film composer who made significant contributions to American cinema. Born in Poltava, Russian Empire (now Ukraine), Shefter emigrated to the United States where he pursued his musical education at the Carnegie Institute, Philadelphia’s Curtis Institute of Music, and the Damrosch Institute in New York City. He initially gained recognition as part of the piano duo "Shefter & Gould" with Morton Gould, performing in theaters and on radio from 1930 to 1936.

Shefter's career expanded as he became a conductor, performing as a solo pianist and leading his own orchestra. He was a guest conductor at Carnegie Hall during the 1946-1947 season and worked with various orchestras including The Hollywood Bowl Symphony and The New York Philharmonic. His orchestra featured his compositions and arrangements on New York radio and recordings for labels such as Victor, Decca, and Brunswick.

In 1950, Shefter transitioned to film music, starting as a musical director for the production "One Too Many." He is best known for his collaboration with fellow composer Paul Sawtell, beginning in the late 1950s. Together, they scored numerous science fiction and horror films, including "Kronos" (1957), "It! The Terror from Beyond Space" (1958), "Return of the Fly" (1959), and "Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea" (1961). They also worked on Russ Meyer's cult classics "Faster Pussycat! Kill! Kill!" and "Motorpsycho" in 1965.

Shefter retired in 1975 and passed away in West Hollywood, California, at the age of 97. His legacy includes a prolific output of film scores and contributions to television, making him a notable figure in the world of film music.