Celebrating Excellence in Music Supervision at the 16th Annual Guild Awards

The 16th annual Guild of Music Supervisors Awards ceremony took place in Los Angeles, California, on February 28th, bringing together top talent from the music supervision and songwriting fields. This event recognized outstanding achievements in music for film and television, highlighting the vital role music supervisors play in shaping the emotional and narrative impact of visual media. The evening was marked by prestigious honors, memorable performances, and a gathering of industry leaders and stars.

Honoring Outstanding Contributions in Music and Film

One of the evening’s highlights was the presentation of the Icon Award, by John Legend to Raphael Saadiq. This award celebrated his significant contributions to both the music and film industries. Saadiq’s influence extends beyond performance to songwriting and production, contributing a significant amount, to culture and music, making him a respected figure in the creative community.

Saadiq’s song “I Lied To You,” co-written with Ludwig Göransson for the Ryan Coogler-directed film Sinners, won the award for Best Song Written and/or Recorded for a Film. This track stood out for its emotional depth, rawness and power, contributing greatly to the film as a whole.

Another poignant moment was the posthumous awarding of the Legacy Award to Robin Kaye. As a music producer, supervisor, and former Vice President of the Guild of Music Supervisors, Kaye’s career left a lasting impact on the industry, and her kindness and generosity moved all who met her. Her dedication and achievements continue to inspire music supervisors, artists and producers today.

A Night of Star-Studded Presenters and Performances

The ceremony attracted a star-studded group of presenters and attendees, including John Legend, Kate Hudson, and Public Enemy's Flavor Flav. Their presence underscored the Guild’s growing influence across film, television, and the broader music industry.

Live performances were a key feature of the evening, showcasing the talents of award nominees and special guests:

• Raphael Saadiq performed “I Lied To You” alongside Ludwig Göransson and Brittany Howard of Alabama Shakes, delivering a powerful rendition of the Oscar® and Guild Award–nominated song.

• John Tesh performed on piano, alongside a tuba, to an animated mash up of his NBA theme, Roundball Rock

• Diane Warren, Sharon Farber, and Eden Kontesz performed “Dear Me,” a song nominated for both the Oscar® and Guild Awards from Diane Warren: Relentless.

• Keith Secola performed “NDN Kars,” nominated for a Guild Award from the series Dark Winds alongside violinist and composer Geneviève Gros-Louis.

• Cris Chil, spotlight artist, debuted her new song “15K,” with a stunning performance that included dancers and percussionists.

• Alejandro Aranda, known from American Idol, delivered a tribute performance honoring Robin Kaye, adding emotional depth to the ceremony.

  
  

Behind the Scenes: Production and Organization

The event was produced by the Guild of Music Supervisors Awards Production Committee, led by President Lindsay Wolfington, Vice President Heather Guibert, and Melissa Chapman. Show production was managed by Angelia Shepperd of ABS Collective, with talent production by Julie Donsky and technical production by Nick Urbom from Big Push Media Group. Their combined efforts ensured a smooth and engaging ceremony that celebrated the art and craft of music supervision.

The Role of Music Supervisors in Film and Television

Music supervisors play a crucial role in selecting and integrating music into visual media.

Their work involves:

• Collaborating with directors and producers to understand the story’s emotional tone.

• Choosing songs or commissioning original music that enhances scenes.

• Managing licensing and rights to ensure legal use of music.

• Balancing creative vision with budget constraints.

The 16th annual ceremony not only celebrated current achievements but also pointed to the future of music supervision. With emerging artists like Cris Chil and continued innovation from veterans like Raphael Saadiq, the field is evolving rapidly. Technology, streaming platforms, and global collaboration are expanding opportunities for music supervisors to influence film and television.

For those interested in the industry, the Guild Awards serve as a benchmark for excellence and a source of inspiration. Aspiring music supervisors can learn from the careers of honorees and the creative choices showcased during the event.

The Winners:

FILM 

Best Music Supervision in Major Budget Films 

Niki Sherrod 

Sinners 

Best Music Supervision in Mid-Level Budget Films 

Gabe Hilfer 

Marty Supreme 

Best Music Supervision in Low Budget Films 

Sarah Bromberg, Stephanie Diaz-Matos 

One of Them Days 

Best Music Supervision in a Non-Theatrically Released Film 

Frankie Pine 

Nonnas 

Best Song Written and/or Recorded for a Film 

"I Lied to You" from Sinners 

Music Supervisor: Niki Sherrod 

Performer: Miles Caton 

Songwriters: Ludwig Göransson, Raphael Saadiq 

TELEVISION 

Best Music Supervision in a Television Drama 

Tiffany Anders 

The Lowdown (Season 1) 

Best Music Supervision in a Television Comedy 

Gabe Hilfer 

The Studio (Season 1) 

Best Music Supervision in Reality Television 

Meryl Ginsberg, Sara Torres, Jordan Young 

Love Island USA (Season 7) 

Best Song Written and/or Recorded for Television 

"Dialing In" from Smoke (Season 1) 

Music Supervisor: Mary Ramos 

Performer: Thom Yorke 

Songwriter: Thom Yorke 

DOCUMENTARIES 

Best Music Supervision in a Documentary Film 

Amanda Clemens, Jody Colero 

Lilith Fair: Building a Mystery 

Best Music Supervision in a Docuseries 

Deborah Mannis-Gardner 

Hip Hop Was Born Here (Season 1) 

ADVERTISING 

Best Music Supervision in Advertising (Synch) 

Nellie Rajabi, Jonathan Wellbelove 

Apple - "iPhone 17 Pro | The Ultimate Pro" 

Best Music Supervision in Advertising (Original Music) 

Patrick Lawrence Zappia 

Gap - "Give Your Gift. (2025)" 

Best Music Supervision in Advertising (Long-Form) 

Julian Drucker 

Yogi Tea - "The Theory of Spice" 

TRAILERS 

Best Music Supervision in a Trailer (Film) 

Adam Konger, Sanaz Lavaedian, Marina Polites 

One Battle After Another (Official Trailer 2) 

Best Music Supervision in a Trailer (Series) 

Scenery Samundra, Gregory Sweeney 

The White Lotus: Season 3 (Official Trailer) 

Best Music Supervision in a Trailer (Video Game & Interactive) 

Megan Barbour, Naaman Snell 

Fortnite Battle Royale "Chapter 6 Season 2: Lawless" (Cinematic Gameplay Trailer) 

VIDEO GAMES 

Best Music Supervision in a Video Game (Synch) 

Allison Wood 

NASCAR 2025 

Best Music Supervision in a Video Game (Original Music) 

Death Stranding 2: On the Beach 

 

Final Thoughts on the 16th Annual Guild Awards

The Guild of Music Supervisors Awards ceremony demonstrated the power of music to transform storytelling in film and television. This was a fun night, full of emotion, joy, and community, celebrating some great work and encouraging continued creativity and collaboration. The live performances and star-studded attendance reinforced the importance of music supervision in the entertainment industry.