The 16th annual Guild of Music Supervisors Awards celebrated outstanding achievements in music supervision and songwriting on Saturday night. Films like “Sinners” and “Marty Supreme” received top honors, while television series such as “The Lowdown” and “The Studio” were also recognized for their exceptional musical contributions.
Raphael Saadiq received the prestigious Icon Award. He also won Best Song Written and/or Recorded for a Film for his track “I Lied to You” from Ryan Coogler’s film “Sinners,” co-written with Ludwig Göransson. The event showcased the vital role music plays in film, television, and other media.
Key Takeaways
- “Sinners,” “Marty Supreme,” and “One Battle After Another” received major awards.
- Raphael Saadiq was honored with the Icon Award and won Best Song for “I Lied to You.”
- Robin Kaye posthumously received the Legacy Award.
- Awards covered film, television, documentaries, advertising, and video games.
Recognizing Excellence in Film Music
The film categories acknowledged the meticulous work of music supervisors across various budget levels. Niki Sherrod earned the award for Best Music Supervision in Major Budget Films for her work on “Sinners.” This film also saw its song “I Lied to You” recognized as the Best Song Written and/or Recorded for a Film.
Gabe Hilfer took home the award for Best Music Supervision in Mid-Level Budget Films for his contributions to “Marty Supreme.” Sarah Bromberg and Stephanie Diaz-Matos were celebrated for their work on “One of Them Days” in the Low Budget Films category, highlighting the impact of music even with limited resources.
Award Winners: Film Highlights
- Major Budget: Niki Sherrod, “Sinners”
- Mid-Level Budget: Gabe Hilfer, “Marty Supreme”
- Low Budget: Sarah Bromberg, Stephanie Diaz-Matos, “One of Them Days”
- Non-Theatrically Released Film: Frankie Pine, “Nonnas”
Impact of Original Songs in Film
The award for Best Song Written and/or Recorded for a Film went to “I Lied to You” from “Sinners.” The song, performed by Miles Caton, was written by Ludwig Göransson and Raphael Saadiq. This recognition underscores the collaborative effort between artists, composers, and music supervisors in creating memorable cinematic moments.
“The right song can elevate a scene from good to unforgettable, shaping the audience's emotional connection to a story,” a representative from the Guild of Music Supervisors stated during the ceremony.
Television and Documentary Achievements
Music supervisors in television were also celebrated for their ability to enhance storytelling through sound. Tiffany Anders received the award for Best Music Supervision in a Television Drama for the first season of “The Lowdown.” Gabe Hilfer secured another win, this time for Best Music Supervision in a Television Comedy for “The Studio” (Season 1).
Reality television also saw recognition, with Meryl Ginsberg, Sara Torres, and Jordan Young winning for “Love Island USA” (Season 7). Documentaries, which rely heavily on music to set tone and convey historical context, were equally honored. Amanda Clemens and Jody Colero won for Best Music Supervision in a Documentary Film for “Lilith Fair: Building a Mystery.”
Importance of Music Supervision
Music supervision involves selecting and licensing existing musical works for use in media, as well as overseeing the creation of original scores. It requires deep musical knowledge, legal expertise, and a keen understanding of how music impacts narrative and audience emotion. A skilled music supervisor can define the sound of an entire project.
Honoring Legacies and New Voices
The evening included special tributes. Robin Kaye, a respected music producer, supervisor, and former Vice President of the Guild of Music Supervisors, received the Legacy Award posthumously. Alejandro Aranda from “American Idol” delivered a moving tribute performance in Kaye’s honor.
The event also featured several live performances. Raphael Saadiq performed “I Lied to You” with Ludwig Göransson and special guest Brittany Howard. Diane Warren, Sharon Farber, and Eden Kontesz performed the Oscar and GMS Award-nominated “Dear Me” from “Diane Warren: Relentless.” Keith Secola performed “NDN Kars” from “Dark Winds,” and Cris Chil debuted her new song “15K.”
Expanding Reach: Advertising and Video Games
The Guild of Music Supervisors Awards extended its recognition beyond traditional film and television, acknowledging the growing importance of music in advertising and video games. Nellie Rajabi and Jonathan Wellbelove won for Best Music Supervision in Advertising (Synch) for Apple’s “iPhone 17 Pro | The Ultimate Pro” campaign.
Patrick Lawrence Zappia was awarded for Best Music Supervision in Advertising (Original Music) for Gap’s “Give Your Gift. (2025)” Julian Drucker received the award for Best Music Supervision in Advertising (Long-Form) for Yogi Tea’s “The Theory of Spice.”
Music in Digital Media
- Advertising Synch: Apple – “iPhone 17 Pro | The Ultimate Pro”
- Advertising Original Music: Gap – “Give Your Gift. (2025)”
- Video Game Synch: Allison Wood, “NASCAR 2025”
- Video Game Original Music: Hideo Kojima, Ludvig Forssell, Woodkid, “Death Stranding 2: On the Beach”
Trailers and Interactive Experiences
Trailers, crucial for building anticipation, also had their own categories. Adam Konger, Sanaz Lavaedian, and Marina Polites won for Best Music Supervision in a Trailer (Film) for “One Battle After Another” (Official Trailer 2). Scenery Samundra and Gregory Sweeney were recognized for “The White Lotus: Season 3” (Official Trailer) in the series category.
Video games, an increasingly dominant entertainment medium, were highlighted as well. Megan Barbour and Naaman Snell won for Best Music Supervision in a Trailer (Video Game & Interactive) for “Fortnite Battle Royale” “Chapter 6 Season 2: Lawless.” Allison Wood took home the award for Best Music Supervision in a Video Game (Synch) for “NASCAR 2025,” while Hideo Kojima, Ludvig Forssell, and Woodkid were honored for Best Music Supervision in a Video Game (Original Music) for “Death Stranding 2: On the Beach.”
The ceremony underscored the diverse applications of music supervision across a rapidly evolving media landscape, from traditional cinema to interactive gaming. Celebrities like John Legend, Kate Hudson, and Flavor Flav attended the event, further emphasizing its importance within the entertainment industry.