The music behind “Song Sung Blue,” “A Minecraft Movie” and “Sinners” is leading the nominations for the 16th Annual Music Directors Association Awards.
The ceremony honors outstanding achievements in the craft of music direction in film, television, documentaries, advertising, trailers, and video games.
“Sinners” leads this year’s nominations, receiving three nominations for Niki Sherrod’s musical direction and the film’s two original songs. Other film candidates include Wicked: For Good, F1 and Marty Supreme. Leading TV contenders include “The Studio,” “Dark Winds” and “Poker Face.”
Both songs from “Sinners” are also on the Oscar nomination list. “I Lied to You” was written by Rafael Saadik and Ludwig Göransson and performed by Myles Caton, who plays Sammy in the film. The second, “Last Time (I Seen the Sun),” is a soulful duet performed by Alice Smith and Caton and co-written by Smith, Caton, and Göransson.
Guild President Lindsey Wolfington and Vice President Heather Geibert said: “In what has been a challenging year for our city and industry, we are thrilled to see so much great work from the music director community. Congratulations to all the nominees! The right combination of music and visuals is essential to sparking the mood, setting the mood, and transporting the audience to a new world. We’ve seen time and time again how this important combination enhances the content of any visual media.” We reiterate the importance of music supervision to storytelling. ”
The Guild of Music Supervisors is a nonprofit organization founded in 2010 “to preserve and promote the vital role of music supervisors in all forms of media.” The Guild hosts numerous educational and networking events throughout the year, including the annual Music in Media conference.
Winners will be announced at a ceremony on February 28th at the Wiltern Theater in Los Angeles. Performances and celebrity presenters will be announced at a later date.
See all nominations below.
Best Music Director Award for a Major Budget Film
Gabe Hilfer, Karin Rachtman – “Minecraft Movie”
Kirstin Lane – “Running Man”
Maggie Rodford – “Wicked: For Good”
Niki Sherrod – “Sinners”
David Taylor, Jake Volgarides – “F1”
Best Music Director Award for a Mid-Budget Film
Vivian Aguiar-Buff, Natalie Hayden, Alexandra Nixon – “Gabby’s Dollhouse: The Movie”
Linda Cohen – “The Smashing Machine”
Gabe Hilfer – “Marty Supreme”
Jen Malone – “Caught Stealing”
Howard Pearl – “The Big, Bold, and Beautiful Journey.”
Trygge Thorven – “Son Son Bleu”
Best Music Director for a Low Budget Film
Lucy Bright – “History of Sound”
Sarah Bromberg, Stephanie Diaz-Matos – “One of Them Days”
Ralph Burchell, Ian Neil “Die My Love”
Jody Friedman, Cyrus Paul Gazizadeh, Jacob Yoffie – “Tapawingo”
Rob Lowry, Mia Riggins – “Friendship”
Paymon Muskan – “Pool”
Best music director for a movie not released in theaters
Jumi Akinfenwa – “My Fault: London”
Nick Angel – “Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy”
Ashley Neumeister – “Ruth and Boaz”
Frankie Pine – “Nonnas”
Karin Rahtman, Otis Rahtman – Plankton: The Movie
Best song written and/or recorded for a film
“Dear Me” from “Diane Warren: Relentless” – songwriter Diane Warren, performer Kesha, music director Heather Gibert
“I Lied to You” from “Sinners” – songwriters Ludwig Göransson and Rafael Saadik, performer Myles Caton, musical director Niki Sherrod
“It’s not perfect, but it might be” from “Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy” — songwriters Olivia Dean and Matthew Hales, performer Olivia Dean, musical director Nick Angell
“Just Keep Watching” by “F1” – Songwriters: Amy Allen, Tate McRae, Tyler Spree, Ryan Tedder. performer Tate McRae; Music supervisor David Taylor, Jake Volgarides
“Last Time (I Seen the Sun)” from “Sinners” – Songwriters: Miles Caton, Ludwig Göransson, Alice Smith. Starring Miles Caton, Ludwig Göransson, and Alice Smith. music director Niki Sherrod
“My Baby (Got Nothing at All)” from “The Materialist” — songwriter Michelle Chonmi Zauner, performer Japanese Breakfast, and music director Megan Currier
tv set
TV Drama Music Supervision Award
Tiffany Anders – “The Lowdown” Season 1
Matt Biffa – “Girlfriends” Season 1
Rick Clark – “Dark Winds” Season 3
Dina Coughlan, Rory McPartland – “Mixtape” Season 1
Keir Lehman – “Forever” Season 1
Mark Mondello – “The Runarounds” Season 1
Best Music Supervision Award in TV Comedy Category
Thomas Golubic, Olivia Schlichting – “Poker Face” Season 2
Gabe Hilfer, DeVoe Yates – “Jewels of Justice” Season 4
Gabe Hilfer – “The Studio” Season 1
Javier Nuño, Joe Rodriguez – “Acapulco” Season 4
Robin Urdan – “Etoile” Season 1
Laura Webb, Lindsey Wolfington – “XO, Kitty” Season 2
Reality TV Best Music Supervision Award
Brandon Boucher – “Challenge All Stars: Rivals” Season 5
Greg Danilishyn, Ben Hochstein – “Married at First Sight” Season 19
Meryl Ginsberg, Sara Torres, Jordan Young – ‘Love Island USA’ Season 7
Trina-Marie Hill – “Deb’s House: R&B” Season 2
Carrie Hughes – “Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta” Season 13
Best song written and/or recorded for television
“Devil May Cry” Season 1 “Afterlife” — songwriters Amy Lee and Alex Seaver, performers Evanescence, music supervisors Justin von Winterfeldt and Christian Zabala
“Dialing In” from “Smoke” Season 1 — Songwriter Thom Yorke, Performer Thom Yorke, Music Supervisor Mary Ramos
“Get Millie Black” Season 1 “Get Millie Black Main Titles” – Songwriters Gavin Blair, Jordan Chung, Nicholas Dean, Carly Paradis, Shanique Sinclair. Starring Equinox, Shanique Marie, and Carly Paradis. music director thomas golubic
“Ghosts” from Season 1 of “The Runarounds” – Songwriters Matthew Baer, Axel Douglas Ellis, Jesse Damon Golliher, William Sebastian Lipton, Zende Roman Murdoch, Jeremy Thomas Yun. Performers The Runarounds. Music Director Mark Mondello
“NDN Kars” from “Dark Winds” Season 3 — Songwriter Keith Secora, Performer Keith Secora, Music Supervisor Rick Clark
“This Heart of Mine” from “Virgin River” Season 6 – Songwriter Wesley Schulz, Performer Wesley Schulz, Musical Director Lindsey Wolfington
documentary
Best Documentary Film Music Director Award
Amanda Clemens, Jody Colello – “Lilith Fair: Building a Mystery”
Milena Aake, Randall Poster – “Tropical Apocalypse”
Heather Guibert – “Diane Warren: Relentless”
Brooke Wentz – “Janis Ian: Breaking the Silence”
Jules Zucker – “Matches in the Haystack”
Best Music Supervision Award for a Documentary Series
Linda Cohen – “Mr. Scorsese” Season 1
Ciara Elwes, Roshad Holiday, Robin Kaye, Ashley Vierjevar – “Number One on the Call Sheet” Season 1
Kirsten Lane – “Vietnam: The War That Changed America” Season 1
Deborah Manis Gardner – “Hip Hop Was Born Here” Season 1
Kirstin MacLean – “Underdogs” Season 1
advertisement
Best Music Supervision Award in Advertising Category (Synch)
Andrew Kahn, Morgan Solik, Daniel Toporoff – “Great Hair”
Sarah Matarazzo, Stephanie Piggott, Daniel Souley – “Make Life Brighter”
Nelly Rajavi, Jonathan Welbelove – “iPhone 17 Pro | The Ultimate Pro”
Charlotte von Kotze, Jonathan Wellbelove – “iPhone 16 Pro | Camera Control”
Advertising Division Best Music Supervision Award (Original Song)
Mike Rudman, Mara Tekam – “Dancing in the Dark”
Sarah Matarazzo, Stephanie Piggott, Daniel Souley – “Kiss from a Lime”
Charlotte von Koetzee, Jonathan Welbelove – “Apple Intelligence | Photo Cleanup: Cats | iPhone 16”
Patrick Lawrence Zapier – “Give Your Gift. (2025)”
Advertising Division Best Music Supervision Award (Full-length)
Julian Drucker – “Spice Theory”
Abby Hendricks, Mika Sheerin, Jonathan Welbelove – “Accessibility | I’m Inconspicuous”
Mike Rudman, Mara Tekam – “Crafting the One”
Nellie Rajavi, Jonathan Werbelove – “6 out of 5 stars | WWDC25”
trailer
Trailer Music Supervision Award (Movie)
Megan Barber, Nerman Snell – Fantastic Four: First Steps – Official Trailer
Derick Berberabe, Jordan Silverberg – “Wuthering Heights” – Official Teaser
Vanessa Jorge Perry, Tyler Tollison – “Project Hail Mary” – Official Trailer
Adam Conger, Sanaz Lavedian, Marina Polites – “One Battle After Another” – Official Trailer 2
Landscape Samandra, Gregory Sweeney – “Jurassic World: Rebirth” – Official Trailer
Trailer Music Supervision Award (Series)
Annie Colvin – “Tusk: Season 1” – Official Trailer
Travis Drumm, Kelsey Mitchell – “The Narrow Road of the Deep North” – Official Trailer
Bobby Gumm – “Stranger Things: Season 5” – Official Trailer
Adam Conger, Sanaz Lavedian, Marina Polites – “Wayward” – Official Trailer
Scenery Samandra, Gregory Sweeney – “White Lotus: Season 3” – Official Trailer
Trailer Music Supervision Award (Video Games & Interactive)
Johnny Altepeter, Peter Lee, Jackie Palazzolo, Vitaly Shenderovsky – “Valorant” – Why Fight – Ego ft. Chin Madi
Megan Barber, Naaman Snell – Fortnite Battle Royale Chapter 6 Season 2: Outlaws – Cinematic Gameplay Trailer
Glenn Harwager, Ben Sumner – “Kingdom Come: Deliverance II Royal Edition” – Official Launch Trailer
Steve Schnur – Battlefield 6 – Official Multiplayer Gameplay Trailer
video game
Video Game Music Supervision Award (Synch)
Benjamin Belady – “Sandbox – 2025 Season (5 & 6)”
Hideo Kojima – “Death Stranding 2: On the Beach”
Steve Schnur – “EA SPORTS College Football 26”
Olivia Tapone – “Dispatch”
Ryan Tomlin, Brandon Young – “Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 + 4”
Allison Wood – “NASCAR 2025”
Video Game Music Supervisor Award (Original Music)
Jerome Angelo, Benedict Ouime – “Assassin’s Creed Shadows” Composer: The Flight
Manu Bashe – “Rogue Prince of Persia” Composer: Daniel Assadi
Hideo Kojima – “Death Stranding 2: On the Beach”, Composer: Ludwig Forsel, Woodkid
Keith Leary, Peter Scaturro “Ghost of Yorei” Composer: Touma Otowa
Steve Schnur – “Battlefield 6”, Composer: Henry Jackman
Brandon Young – “Call of Duty: Black Ops 7” Composer: Jack Wall
