The 15th Annual Hollywood Music in Media Awards™ (HMMA) delivered an extraordinary evening on November 20, 2024, at The Avalon in Hollywood, California, celebrating the year’s most exceptional achievements in music for film, television, video games, and more. Renowned for its alignment with major accolades such as the Oscars, Golden Globes, and Grammys, the HMMAs continue to solidify their status as a vital milestone in awards season. This year’s event, attended by luminaries from across the entertainment industry, showcased the remarkable talent shaping the intersection of music and visual storytelling. With standout wins for iconic composer Hans Zimmer, Netflix's critically acclaimed Emilia Pérez, and Universal Pictures’ animated sensation The Wild Robot, the night underscored the profound impact of music in driving narratives and evoking emotion.
Dominating the evening with three wins, Hans Zimmer reaffirmed his legendary status as one of the most celebrated composers in the industry. His awards spanned across diverse categories, including Best Score - Sci-Fi/Fantasy Film for Dune: Part Two, Best Score - Documentary Series for Planet Earth III, and Best Song - TV Show/Limited Series for Love Will Survive from The Tattooist of Auschwitz, performed by the iconic Barbra Streisand. Netflix’s Emilia Pérez also stood out, earning three major awards, including Best Music-Themed Film, Biopic, or Musical, and Best Score - Feature Film, credited to French composers Clément Ducol & Camille. Zoe Saldaña’s riveting performance of El Mal from the film further garnered her the award for Best Song - Onscreen Performance (Film), cementing the movie's status as a musical triumph. Not to be outdone, The Wild Robot swept both animation categories, winning Best Score - Animated Film for Kris Bowers and Best Song - Animated Film for Kiss the Sky, performed by Maren Morris.
The night also saw historic first-time wins for global music icons Elton John and Miley Cyrus. Elton John shared the award for Best Song - Documentary Film for Never Too Late, written and performed with Brandi Carlile. This heartfelt collaboration was further elevated by the contributions of legendary lyricist Bernie Taupin and producer Andrew Watt. Meanwhile, Miley Cyrus won Best Song - Independent Film for Beautiful That Way from The Last Showgirl, which she co-wrote with Lykke Li and Andrew Wyatt. Her emotionally charged performance of the track resonated deeply with audiences and critics alike, highlighting her ability to blend raw authenticity with cinematic artistry.
The HMMA’s impact extended far beyond traditional film categories, with accolades recognizing groundbreaking work across television, video games, short films, and live concert visuals. Hulu’s epic series Shōgun won Best Score - TV Show/Limited Series, composed by Atticus Ross, Leopold Ross, and Nick Chuba. In the realm of gaming, Delta Force took home Best Score - Video Game (Console & PC), composed by Johan Söderqvist and Zio, while Pinar Toprak and Paul R. Frommer’s The People’s Cry (Main Theme) from Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora secured Best Song - Video Game. This acknowledgment of music’s role in interactive media highlighted the HMMAs' commitment to celebrating innovation and excellence across emerging platforms.
In addition to honoring contemporary achievements, the evening paid tribute to enduring legacies. Bernie Taupin, the lyricist behind some of the most iconic songs in music history, received the HMMA Outstanding Career Achievement Award. His decades-long contributions to storytelling through music were celebrated with a standing ovation, underscoring the timelessness of his craft. The event also recognized special achievements in live performances, exhibitions, and global projects. Olivia Rodrigo's Guts World Tour was awarded Best Live Concert for Visual Media, while Braveship: The Live Symphonic Spectacular received recognition for its groundbreaking collaboration spanning seven continents.
The complete list of winners illuminated the breadth and diversity of talent celebrated by the HMMAs. From Diane Warren’s poignant The Journey from The Six Triple Eight to A.R. Rahman’s evocative score for The Goat Life, the awards underscored the vital role of music in enhancing storytelling across genres and mediums. With an impressive lineup of winners, including Robin Carolan for Nosferatu, Alberto Iglesias for The Room Next Door, and Blake Neely for Masters of the Air, the HMMAs demonstrated their commitment to honoring both industry veterans and emerging talents. As the awards season unfolds, the HMMAs continue to set the stage for what is to come, offering a preview of likely frontrunners in upcoming ceremonies.
Complete Winners List :
Song Categories
Song - Feature Film: The Journey from The Six Triple Eight - Written by Diane Warren, performed by H.E.R.
Song - Independent Film: Beautiful That Way from The Last Showgirl - Written by Miley Cyrus, Lykke Li, and Andrew Wyatt, performed by Miley Cyrus.
Song - Documentary Film: Never Too Late from Elton John: Never Too Late - Written and performed by Elton John & Brandi Carlile.
Song - Animated Film: Kiss the Sky from The Wild Robot - Written by Maren Morris and team, performed by Maren Morris.
Song - Onscreen Performance (Film): El Mal from Emilia Pérez - Performed by Zoe Saldaña.
Song - TV Show/Limited Series: Love Will Survive from The Tattooist of Auschwitz - Written by Hans Zimmer, Kara Talve, Walter Afanasieff, and Charlie Midnight, performed by Barbra Streisand.
Song - Video Game (Console & PC): The People's Cry (Main Theme) from Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora - Written by Pinar Toprak and Paul R. Frommer.
Song - Short Film: No Wahala from Alkebulan II - Written by Matt B and Buguma Mark, performed by Matt B and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra.
Score Categories
Score - Animated Film: The Wild Robot - Kris Bowers.
Score - Feature Film: Emilia Pérez - Clément Ducol & Camille.
Score - Sci-Fi/Fantasy Film: Dune: Part Two - Hans Zimmer.
Score - Horror/Thriller Film: Nosferatu - Robin Carolan.
Score - Independent Film: The Room Next Door - Alberto Iglesias.
Score - Documentary: Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story - Ilan Eshkeri.
Score - TV Show/Limited Series: Shōgun - Atticus Ross, Leopold Ross, and Nick Chuba.
Score - Independent Film (Foreign Language): The Goat Life - A.R. Rahman.
Score - Documentary Series (TV/Digital): Planet Earth III - Hans Zimmer, Jacob Shea, and Sara Barone.
Additional Honors
Music Supervision - Film: Deadpool & Wolverine - Dave Jordan.
Music Supervision - TV Show/Limited Series: Fallout - Trygge Toven.
Soundtrack Album: Deadpool & Wolverine - Hollywood Records.
Outstanding Career Achievement Award: Bernie Taupin.
Special Recognitions
Live Concert for Visual Media: Olivia Rodrigo: Guts World Tour - Olivia Rodrigo.
Exhibitions, Theme Parks, Special Projects: Braveship: The Live Symphonic Spectacular - Featuring global collaboration across seven continents.
Photos credit: Sheri Determan
(Source : press release)