Submission Info and Voting

SUBMISSIONS, NOMINATIONS & VOTING

HMMA Submissions, Nominations & Voting

GENERAL INFORMATION

All submissions are evaluated by the HMMA Selections Committee. The first round of reviews determines an initial field of contenders, which are placed into a secure database for a second round of evaluations to reach a final consensus of nominees.

Winners are determined by the Hollywood Music in Media Academy (the official HMMA voting body). Voting is internal and confidential. Winners are not disclosed in advance and are revealed exclusively during the awards ceremony, then published publicly following the conclusion of the main event.

The Hollywood Music in Media Academy was established as a statutory voting body to determine winners via an official ballot across designated categories in the Hollywood Music in Media Awards.

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ELIGIBILITY & DEADLINES

• Eligible submissions must be entered into categories listed on the official HMMA submission form.

• The standard eligibility release period for Music in Visual Media is January 1 to December 31 of the current year.

• Exceptions may be considered for titles released after the submission deadline of the prior year (Oct. 15, 2025).

• For clarification or exception requests, contact: support@hmmawards.com

• The final (hard) submission deadline for most Music in Visual Media categories is October 15, 2026.

• Submission deadline exceptions for specific film categories may be granted if warranted and feasible (e.g., release timing, festival premieres, distribution changes).

• HMMA reserves the right to modify submission deadlines and/or eligibility dates at its discretion.

• The HMMA Academy voting period typically opens when final nominations are announced and closes approximately one week prior to the main event.

• Members of the HMMA Academy voting body receive notifications, instructions, and secure links to electronic voting ballots.

• To be considered for nomination, HMMA must have access to at least a representative portion of the submitted project.

• Applicants may submit excerpts or scenes that best showcase the music’s relationship to picture.

• Unreleased films may be reviewed via festival screenings, secure online viewing links, and private or encrypted screeners.

• The visual media link provided in the HMMA submission form should not exceed 15 minutes in length.

• Edited reels highlighting key scenes are preferred, whether one continuous 15-minute segment or a compilation of multiple scenes.

• If deemed necessary, HMMA may request access to the full project.

• Submissions that are found ineligible will be disqualified and entry fees forfeited.

• HMMA may reassign submissions to a more appropriate category if warranted. Examples include:

- “Original Score – Short Film” to “Original Score – Animated Short”
- “Original Song – Independent Film” to “Original Song – Independent Film (Foreign Language)”

• All submissions are subject to verification of eligibility and credits via multiple sources, including but not limited to IMDb and official production/distribution information.

• For Original Score, at least 50% of the total music in the project must be original score.

• For franchise films, sequels and prequels, at least 80% of the score must be original music.

• Only the principal composer(s) and/or songwriter(s) primarily responsible for the conception and execution of the work as a whole are eligible to receive an award.

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ADDITIONAL SUBMISSION POLICIES AND GUIDELINES

All submitted works must be original with the exception of On-Screen Performance - Film and On-Screen Performance - TV categories. With the exception of these two categories, the entrant represents and warrants that they:

  • Are the creator(s) of the work, or
  • Own or control the rights to the work, or
  • Have full authority and permission to submit the work for HMMA consideration.
  • There is no limit to the number of entries an authorized individual or entity may submit in any category.
  • A project may be entered in multiple categories where applicable. Each category submission is treated as a separate, fee-based entry.
  • Submission fees apply per entry.
  • All entries must be submitted online. It is the sole responsibility of the submitter to ensure that all links, passwords, and hosting platforms are functional for the duration of the submissions and judging period.
  • Submission fees are non-refundable.
  • HMMA accepts entries over a period of several months and reserves the right to open and/or close submission windows and deadlines at its sole discretion.
  • Music is evaluated on:
    • Melody and composition
    • Lyric (when applicable)
    • Effectiveness of music-to-picture integration
    • Overall artistic impact
      Quality of performance and production will also be taken into account.
  • HMMA reserves the right to re-categorize entries and/or combine, divide, or retire categories as deemed necessary or appropriate in response to the evolving media landscape.
  • Winners are announced exclusively at the main event in November and posted online thereafter.
  • All submissions are reviewed. In most cases, this can be confirmed by play/view counts. However, technical limitations (e.g., platform metrics requirements, minimal play-time thresholds, or other issues) may prevent some views from registering via standard analytics.
  • All Music Genre categories for independent music with no visual media counterpart are now part of the Hollywood Independent Music Awards (HIMA). Independent music artists are encouraged to join the HIMA Global Network for updates on submission calls and related opportunities.

DEFINITIONS

DOCUMENTARY
A documentary is a work of non-fiction that presents factual information about real people, places, and events. It is generally — but not always — composed of actual footage, interviews, archival material, and other factual documentation.

INDEPENDENT FILM
An independent film (feature or short) is produced primarily outside the major studio system and financed and/or distributed by independent entities.

  • For HMMA purposes, the production budget of an independent film should not exceed $20 million.

MOBILE VIDEO GAME
A mobile game is a video game designed to be played on mobile devices such as smartphones, tablets, smartwatches, handheld devices, or similar portable platforms.

VIDEO GAME (Console & PC)
A video game for console or PC is an electronic game that involves interaction via devices such as controllers, keyboards, mice, joysticks, motion-sensing technology, or other input mechanisms to generate visual feedback for the player.

SHORT FILM
A short film (fiction or non-fiction) is defined as an original motion picture with a running time of 40 minutes or less, including all credits.

SPECIAL PROJECT
Categories that include the term “Special Project” refer to music compositions created for specific, unique, or non-traditional uses (e.g., branded content, experiential media, immersive installations, hybrid formats, or other unconventional platforms).

SPECIAL RECOGNITION
Special Recognition is reserved for artists and projects that represent exceptional achievement but do not fall within a competitive field sufficient for standard nomination.

  • Special Recognition recipients are eligible to receive a commemorative plaque.
  • Official HMMA award crystals may be ordered by the recipient through HMMA.