Cerermony - Hollywood Music in Media Awards 2023 Sets the Stage for Cinematic Brilliance

By Mulder, Los Angeles, Avalon Hollywood, 15 november 2023

In a dazzling affair at The Avalon on November 15, 2023, the Hollywood Music in Media Awards (HMMA) unfolded its 2023 ceremony, revealing a dynamic tapestry of musical excellence and recognizing the outstanding achievements of composers, songwriters, and music supervisors in the realm of film and visual media. The prestigious event, held at the heart of Hollywood, California, marked a celebration of the industry's brightest talents and their contributions to the world of cinema.

The list of nominations, unveiled with much anticipation, showcased a diverse array of musical prowess. Among the esteemed nominees were Oscar-winning siblings Billie Eilish and Finneas, whose enchanting composition "What Was I Made For?" from the film Barbie garnered acclaim. The lineup also featured dynamic contributions from Olivia Rodrigo and Dan Nigro, recognized for their enthralling song "Can't Catch Me Now" from Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes. The roster extended to include luminaries such as Justin Timberlake, Alan Menken, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Lenny Kravitz, Diane Warren, Metro Boomin, and A$AP Rocky, each acknowledged for their original and impactful contributions to the cinematic landscape.

Distinguished composers took center stage, with the industry's finest, including Alexandre Desplat, Michael Giacchino, Ludwig Göransson, Laura Karpman, Branford Marsalis, Thomas Newman, James Newton Howard, Daniel Pemberton, John Powell, Trent Reznor & Atticus Ross, Robbie Robertson, Mark Ronson & Andrew Wyatt, and Hans Zimmer for The Creator, among others, earning well-deserved recognition for their exceptional work.

The 14th HMMA ceremony, an exclusive event for industry insiders, witnessed memorable moments as the late Robbie Robertson posthumously won the Score for a Feature Film for his work on Martin Scorsese’s Killers of the Flower Moon. Meanwhile, the Grammy-nominated track "What Was I Made For?" by Billie Eilish from Barbie clinched the Song for a Feature Film, cementing its place among the night's triumphs.

The celebration extended beyond feature films, encompassing various categories and genres. TV series Succession secured the Score for a TV Show/Limited Series, while Ted Lasso took home the Song for a TV Show/Limited Series. Notably, the HMMA introduced new categories, including "Music Design – Trailer" and "Song – Onscreen Performance (TV Show/Limited Series)."

Diversity was a key theme of the evening, not only in terms of nominees but also in the winners' circle. Women composers, in particular, made significant strides, with Laura Karpman winning the Score – Sci-Fi/Fantasy Film for The Marvels, and Hildur Guðnadóttir clinching the Score – Horror/Thriller Film for A Haunting in Venice. The "Song – Onscreen Performance" category celebrated performers, with Eve Hewson, Joseph Gordon Levitt, Orén Kinlan, and Jack Reynor winning for "High Life" from Flora and Son.

The HMMA, renowned as a precursor to esteemed awards like the Oscars, continued its tradition of recognizing outstanding musical contributions that often align with other major awards in the industry. Marc Shaiman, a distinguished composer and songwriter, was honored with the Outstanding Career Achievement Award, adding to the evening's sense of legacy and accomplishment.

As the HMMA serves as a critical milestone in the awards season, industry insiders and enthusiasts alike eagerly anticipate the subsequent accolades, with the Oscars shortlists slated to be announced on December 21, 2023, and the nominations following on January 23, 2024. The awards season culminates with the Oscars presentation on March 10, 2024, where the echoes of the HMMA will undoubtedly resonate in the celebration of musical excellence on the grand stage.

2023 HMMA winner are  : 

Score - Feature Film : 
Killers of the Flower Moon - Robbie Robertson

Score - Animated Film : 
Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse - Daniel Pemberton

Score – Sci-Fi / Fantasy Film :
 The Marvels - Laura Karpman

Score - Horror/Thriller Film : 
A Haunting in Venice - Hildur Guđnadóttir

Score – Documentary : 
Still: A Michael J. Fox Movie - John Powell

Score - Independent Film : 
The Zone of Interest - Mica Levi

Score - Independent Film (Foreign Language)
Society of the Snow - Michael Giacchino

Song - Feature Film : 
What Was I Made For? From Barbie - Written by Billie Eilish O'Connell and Finneas O'Connell. Performed by Billie Eilish.

Song - Animated Film : 
Better Place from Trolls Band Together - Written by Shellback, Justin Timberlake, Amy Allen. Performed by NSYNC.

Song - Sci-Fi / Fantasy : 
Can't Catch Me Now from The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes - Written by Dan Nigro and Olivia Rodrigo. Performed by Olivia Rodrigo.

Song - Independent Film :
I Got You from Holiday Twist - Written by Michael Jay and Alan Demoss. Performed by Jake Miller

Song – Onscreen Performance : 
Eve Hewson, Joseph Gordon Levitt, Orén Kinlan, Jack Reynor - High Life from Flora and Son

Song - Documentary Film : 
Todo Fue Por Amor from With This Light - Written by Carla Morrison, Carla Patricia Morrison Flores, Juan Alejandro Jimenez Perez, Mario Demian Jimenez Perez. Performed by Carla Morrison.

Music Themed Film, Biopic or Musical : 
Trolls Band Together - Produced by Gina Shay. Directed by Walt Dohrn and Tim Heitz.

Music Documentary - Special Program :
Immediate Family - Directed by Denny Tedesco. Produced by Greg Richling, Jack Piatt, Jonathan Sheldon.

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Photos : Sophie Janinet

(Source : press release)