The Hollywood Music in Media Awards (HMMA) have unveiled this year’s list of nominees, covering both feature and independent films, animated films, documentaries, TV shows, and special programming. Widely regarded as a bellwether for awards season, the HMMA’s selection often signals strong contenders in upcoming races for Best Original Score and Song at other major events.
Notable films this year include Emilia Pérez and Blitz, which stand out with multiple nominations across categories. Top artists like Elton John, Hans Zimmer, and Robbie Williams add star power to the list, showcasing diverse contributions from seasoned composers and popular musicians alike.
Highlights from Key Categories
Song – Feature Film: This year’s contenders are an impressive mix. Challengers brings a collaboration by Trent Reznor, Atticus Ross, and Luca Guadagnino, while Emilia Pérez features tracks by Clement Ducol and Camille, performed by stars like Selena Gomez and Zoe Saldana. Other highlights include “Forbidden Road” from Better Man, sung by Robbie Williams, and Lainey Wilson’s “Out of Oklahoma” from Twisters.
Song – Independent Film: The independent film category brings fresh names and unique sounds, including Miley Cyrus’s “Beautiful That Way” for The Last Showgirl, and “City of Dreams,” written by Linda Perry and performed by Luis Fonsi.
Song – Documentary Film: Elton John and Brandi Carlile team up on “Never Too Late” for Elton John: Never Too Late, while Pharrell Williams adds “Piece by Piece” to Piece by Piece, underscoring how documentaries are increasingly enriched by notable music collaborations.
Song – Animated Film: Contributions from well-known artists fill this category, with Pharrell Williams performing “Double Life” for Despicable Me 4 and Maren Morris lending her voice to “Kiss the Sky” for The Wild Robot.
Score – Feature Film: Among feature film scores, Hans Zimmer’s work on Blitz, Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross’s contribution to Challengers, and Clement Ducol and Camille’s Emilia Pérez underscore the breadth of talent shaping this year’s film landscapes.
Score – TV Show/Limited Series: Television scores also hold strong contenders, with Finneas O’Connell’s DISCLAIMER, Hans Zimmer’s The Tattooist of Auschwitz, and Daniel Pemberton’s Slow Horses illustrating the range of creative efforts in series scoring.
Celebrity Appearances and Special Performances
In the Onscreen Performance categories, popular figures like Saoirse Ronan and Timothée Chalamet add glamour, nominated for their musical performances in Blitz and A Complete Unknown, respectively. Kristen Wiig, Anne-Marie, and H.E.R. are also among the performers honored, adding a layer of celebrity appeal to this year’s lineup.
Music-Themed Films and Documentaries
The HMMA has also nominated several standout films in the “Music Themed Film, Biopic or Musical” category, where A Complete Unknown, Better Man, and Bob Marley: One Love showcase biographical stories and musicals that highlight the power of music in cinema. In music documentaries, highlights include Elton John: Never Too Late and Piece by Piece by Pharrell Williams.
With a slate that celebrates both established icons and emerging voices, the HMMA nominees provide a preview of the musical artistry set to shine in awards season.
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