Cerermony - 16th Hollywood Music in Media Awards : A Night of Triumph, Emotion, and Musical Brilliance

By Mulder, Los Angeles, Hollywood, The Avalon, 19 november 2025

The 16th Annual Hollywood Music in Media Awards once again proved why this ceremony has become a key marker in the awards-season constellation, lighting up The Avalon in Los Angeles on November 19, 2025 with a star-powered glow and the unmistakable thrill of artistic recognition. There’s something uniquely electric about this particular show: an atmosphere that feels both glamorous and intimate, like witnessing the heartbeat of the industry in real time. The carpet outside The Avalon buzzed with energy long before the doors opened, and once inside, you could sense the mix of anticipation and pride shared by nominees, composers, songwriters, and performers alike. This ceremony has always been known as a bellwether for the Oscars, Golden Globes, Emmys, and Grammys, and the room itself seemed aware of that weight — not in a tense way, but with that happy nervousness artists get when they know they’re on the edge of a new chapter. As the lights dimmed, the crowd leaned forward, already tingling with hunches about which names would become headline fixtures throughout awards season.

From the opening moment, the ceremony radiated purpose. Jeff Beal, the five-time Emmy-winning composer who feels almost like an honorary statesman of modern scoring, kicked off the night with a stunning live performance alongside Afghan singer Aryana Sayeed. Their song We Believe in Hope, already honored with the 2025 High Note Global Prize from the United Nations Human Rights division, resonated through the room with the power of something much larger than awards or filmographies — it felt like a reminder of the humanitarian heart that often pulses beneath great art. When Jeff Beal later returned to the stage to accept the award for Original Score – Independent Film for Rule Breakers, there was a shared sense of emotional continuity, as though the ceremony had been framed deliberately around that theme of hope, resilience, and artistic conviction. Multiple attendees later whispered that this opening — both elegant and politically charged — will be remembered as one of the strongest in HMMA history.

But if one film defined the tone of the evening, it was undoubtedly Sinners. The project became the runaway success story of the night, taking home three major awards and igniting conversations in the aisles, backstage, and during post-show cocktails. With two trophies going to composer Ludwig Göransson — Original Score – Feature Film and Original Song – Feature Film for I Lied to You — it felt like watching a master reaffirm his unmatched grasp on emotional soundscapes. What made it even more special was the collaboration behind the winning song: Ludwig Göransson co-wrote I Lied to You with fellow winner Raphael Saadiq, bringing together two creative forces whose musical philosophies stand worlds apart yet found a startling harmony on this film. And then came the moment that genuinely shook The Avalon: Miles Caton, the breakout star of Sinners, accepting the award for Song – Onscreen Performance (Film) for his haunting performance of I Lied to You. Seeing him step onto the stage — slightly overwhelmed, visibly moved, and greeted by a roar of applause — was the kind of awards-season anecdote that sticks. Some audience members even whispered that it felt like the beginning of a long awards-season run for both him and the film.

The documentary branch of the awards delivered its own emotional highlight when Diane Warren, one of the most legendary and prolific songwriters alive, continued her remarkable HMMA streak. Her film Diane Warren: Relentless earned two awards: Song – Documentary Film for Dear Me, performed by Kesha and Diane Warren herself, and Music Documentary – Special Program for director Bess Kargman. The documentary has been praised for its honesty and humor, capturing the work ethic of a woman whose songs have defined decades of cinema and pop culture. The HMMA win felt like a heartfelt embrace from the industry she has shaped so closely. An insider at the ceremony mentioned that during rehearsals earlier that day, Diane Warren joked that she was starting to feel like she should have her own category — a remark that apparently drew a chorus of laughter from the crew.

In the realm of animated projects, the global phenomenon KPOP Demon Hunters made waves when the hit song Golden took home the HMMA for Original Song – Animated Film. Co-written by EJAE, Mark Sonnenblick, Joong Gyu Kwak, Yu Han Lee, Hee Dong Nam, Jeong Hoon Seo, and Park Hong Jun, and performed with explosive charisma by HUNTR/X — comprised of EJAE, Audrey Nuna, and Rei Ami — the win showcased the growing influence of international pop and K-culture within Hollywood’s musical ecosystem. What was particularly fun to watch was the crowd’s reaction during the song’s brief playback teaser: a mix of cheering, dancing in seats, and sudden phone-recording impulses that security gently discouraged. It was one of those infectious moments where ceremony stiffness melted away in favor of pure fandom.

Another major talking point of the ceremony was the recognition for the film Highest 2 Lowest, with artist Aiyana-Lee winning Original Song – Independent Film for the track Highest 2 Lowest, co-written with her mother Nicole Daciana Anderson. The song’s emotional weight — performed for Denzel Washington in the film’s finale under the direction of Spike Lee — resonated with many voters, and several attendees said the moment felt like a proud passing of a creative torch from one generation to the next. Similarly, the TV branch of the awards offered its own star power when Lady Gaga and Andrew Watt secured the HMMA for Original Song – TV Show/Limited Series for The Dead Dance from Wednesday, a project whose music has become almost as iconic as its choreography.

The Wicked franchise also had its moment with a double win: director Jon M. Chu received the award for Music-Themed Film, Biopic or Musical for Wicked: For Good, and Wicked: One Wonderful Night won Music Performance / Special Program. This dual recognition reaffirmed the immense cultural footprint of the Wicked universe, which continues to grow long after its Broadway origins. Meanwhile, composer Tom Howe had a major evening with two wins — taking home awards for Original Score – Animated Film for Dog Man and Song – Documentary Series – TV/Limited Series, a collaboration with Sam Ryder for the song Go Steady from Parenthood. Among industry attendees, you could hear a lot of admiration for Tom Howe’s adaptability — a composer equally comfortable moving between animation, documentary storytelling, and mainstream television.

Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy also pulled in two awards, with composer Dustin O’Halloran winning Original Score – TV/Streamed Movie and music supervisor Nick Angel earning the award for Music Supervision – Film. There was a certain nostalgic delight in the room for this win — the Bridget Jones franchise seems to spark a familiar warmth in audiences and voters alike, making its recognition feel almost celebratory. The night’s more eclectic awardees included the F1 soundtrack album, released through Atlantic Records, which took home the HMMA for Soundtrack Album, and the visually stunning trailer for Necaxa, which earned Juan Carlos Enriquez the win for Music Design – Trailer. Even more niche categories, such as the award for Exhibitions, Theme Parks, Special Projects, delivered delightful surprises when the honor went to Walt Disney World’s Epcot: Test Track by Zain Effendi, a reminder that musical creativity thrives far beyond traditional screens.

Television categories brought additional prestige with the Main Title Theme – TV Show/Limited Series award going to Your Friends & Neighbors, composed by Dominic Lewis and Hamilton Leithauser, and the foreign-language main title honor going to On the High Seas by Sandrine Rudaz. Meanwhile, Dexter: Resurrection’s music supervisor Sean Fernald took home the award for Music Supervision – Television, and Battlefield 6’s Steve Schnur secured Music Supervision – Video Game. These categories always highlight just how wide the music-for-media world truly is, stretching from streaming dramas to immersive gaming sound experiences.

Looking at the full winners list, the sheer spread of categories and talent reaffirmed what makes the HMMAs so invaluable: they don’t simply reward one corner of the industry — they celebrate the entire ecosystem, from blockbuster filmmaking to experimental short films, from global music voices to emerging composers. Names like Anne Nikitin, Fabrizio Mancinelli, Arturo Cardelús, Carl Thiel, Qing Madi, Benjamin Westphalen, Duncan Thum, David Bertok, Bill Hemstapat, Sebastien Najand, Alex Seaver, J.D. Spears, Alec Justice, and many more filled the winners roster, showing how broad and future-facing the musical landscape has become. Even icons like Kevin Bacon returned to the musical spotlight, winning Song – Onscreen Performance (TV Show/Limited Series) for Our Highway — a performance shared with Jennifer Nettles, marking one of the evening’s most unexpected but joyful wins.

By the end of the night, as the final applause settled and the audience slowly drifted into the crisp Los Angeles air, it was clear that the 16th Hollywood Music in Media Awards had delivered not just a ceremony, but a celebration of artistic evolution. What stood out most wasn’t just who won — though the night certainly crowned major victors like Ludwig Göransson, Raphael Saadiq, Miles Caton, Diane Warren, Aiyana-Lee, and the many global contributors shaping contemporary film and television music — but rather the sense that music remains the emotional backbone of visual storytelling. The performances, the acceptance speeches, the quiet hugs backstage, the audible gasps at category reveals — all of it painted a portrait of an industry still evolving, still experimenting, and still deeply, passionately connected through melody and rhythm. Photos captured by Carla Van Wagoner immortalized the evening’s glamour, but for those present at The Avalon, the most lasting memories were the sounds — the music that carried the room through a night of recognition, gratitude, and celebration.

16th annual Hollywood music in media awards winners list : 

Original Score – Feature Film       
Sinners – Ludwig Göransson

Original Score – Independent Film
Rule Breakers – Jeff Beal

Original Score – Animated Film   
Dog Man – Tom Howe

Original Score – Sci-Fi/Fantasy Film
Avatar: Fire and Ash – Simon Franglen

Original Score – Horror/Thriller Film         
Wolf Man – Benjamin Wallfisch

Original Score – Documentary
Pangolin: Kulu's Journey – Anne Nikitin

Original Score – Independent Film (Foreign Language)     
Out of the Nest – Fabrizio Mancinelli

Original Score – TV/Streamed Movie
Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy – Dustin O'Halloran

Original Score – TV Show/Limited Series 
Severance – Theodore Shapiro

Original Score – TV Show/Limited Series (Foreign Language)
Terra Alta – Arturo Cardelús

Original Score – Short Film (Live Action)
El Lazo de Petra – Carl Thiel

Original Score – Short Film (Animated)
Valorant – Qing Madi

Original Score – Short Film (Documentary)           
A Dream Called Khushi (Happiness) – Benjamin Westphalen

Original Score – Documentary Series – TV/Digital
Chef's Table: Legends – Duncan Thum and David Bertok

Original Score – Video Game (Console & PC)        
League of Legends: Welcome to Noxus – Bill Hemstapat, Sebastien Najand, Alex Seaver, J.D. Spears, Alexander

Original Song/Score – Mobile Video Game
AFK Journey – Alec Justice

Original Song – Feature Film
I Lied to You from Sinners – Written by Raphael Saadiq and Ludwig Göransson; Performed by Miles Caton

Original Song – Independent Film
Highest 2 Lowest from Highest 2 Lowest – Written by Aiyana-Lee Anderson and Nicole Daciana Anderson; Performed by Aiyana-Lee

Original Song – Animated Film    
Golden from KPop Demon Hunters – Written by Ejae, Mark Sonnenblick, Joong Gyu Kwak, Yu Han Lee, Hee Dong Nam, Jeong Hoon Seo, and Park Hong Jun; Performed by Ejae, Audrey Nuna, and Rei Ami

Original Song – Documentary
Dear Me from Diane Warren: Relentless – Written by Diane Warren; Performed by Kesha and Diane Warren
Dying to Live from Billy Idol Should Be Dead – Written by Billy Idol, J. Ralph, Steve Stevens, Tommy English, and 

Original Song – TV Show/Limited Series 
The Dead Dance from Wednesday – Written by Lady Gaga and Andrew Watt; Performed by Lady Gaga

Original Song – Video Game (Console & PC)
Against the Tide from Wuthering Waves – Written by Obadiah Brown-Beach; Performed by Forts and Obadiah Brown-Beach

Song – Onscreen Performance (Film)      
I Lied to You from Sinners – Performed by Miles Caton

Song – Onscreen Performance (TV Show/Limited Series)
Our Highway from The Bondsman – Performed by Kevin Bacon

Song – Short Film             
Stars in My Eyes from Sweetwater – Written by Sean Douglas; Performed by Kyra Sedgwick

Original Song/Score – Commercial Advertisement
Apple: 6 Our of 5 Stars – Silo: Music – Neil Ormandy, Linkoln, and Allen Stone

Main Title Theme – TV Show/Limited Series         
Your Friends & Neighbors – Dominic Lewis and Hamilton Leithauser

Main Title Theme – TV Show (Foreign Language)
On the High Seas – Sandrine Rudaz

Music Supervision – Film               
Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy – Nick Angel

Music Supervision – Television
Dexter: Resurrection – Sean Fernald

Music Supervision – Video Game
Battlefield 6 – Steve Schnur

Music Themed Film, Biopic or Musical     
Wicked: For Good – Jon M. Chu

Music Documentary – Special Program
Diane Warren: Relentless – Bess Kargman

Soundtrack Album           
F1 – Atlantic Records

Music Design – Trailer
Necaxa – Juan Carlos Enriquez

Music Video (Independent)         
Afterlife – Evanescence

Live Concert for Visual Media
The Lion King at the Hollywood Bowl – The Lion King cast

Exhibitions, Theme Parks, Special Projects
Walt Disney World's Epcot: Test Track – Zain Effendi

Music Performance / Special Program     
Wicked: One Wonderful Night

Song – Documentary Series – TV/Limited Series
Go Steady from Parenthood – Written by Tom Howe and Sam Ryder

Photos :  Copyright Carla Van Wagoner