The 11th Annual Hollywood Music In Media Awards was presented to the world on January 27, 2021 as its first broadcast style, virtual event. The streamed production was a hit garnering rave reviews across the industry. Three of the top awards went to Universal Pictures projects.
The HMMA crystal trophy for Outstanding Original Score – Feature Film went to James Newton Howard for his sweeping composition for Universal Pictures‘ NEWS OF THE WORLD starring Tom Hanks. Presenting this category is HMMA guest host Ashley Irwin, president of the Society of Composers and Lyricists. All segments of the two hour show have been uploaded as individual clips to the HMMA YouTube and the Vimeo channels.
When Michael Abels won in 2019 for his eerie composition of Jordan Peele’s film US, he proclaimed at the podium “horror film music is a real thing!” We agree. Winning for Outstanding Original Score – Horror Film for Universal Pictures‘ THE INVISIBLE MAN, Benjamin Wallfisch graciously accepted this accolade at the HMMA event on January 27th. Coincidentally, the presenter of this category was Michael Abels. SEE BEST HORROR SCORE HERE
The first TROLLS movie (2016) netted a HMMA win for Best Original Song – Animated Film for “Can’t Stop the Feeling” with Justin Timberlake accepting the honor on behalf of his fellow co-writers. Repeating history, the franchise wins again in the same category for “Just Sing” from TROLLS WORLD TOUR completing a HMMA trifecta for Universal Pictures. Verdine White and Ralph Johnson, founding members of supergroup EARTH, WIND and FIRE, presented the top three song categories. SEE PRESENTATION HERE
With Oscars just around the corner, shortlists and nominations of these established events reflect the accuracy of HMMA choices. As reported in VARIETY, columnist Clayton Davis notes the HMMA “has a strong correlation to the Oscars and the music branch.” SEE ACADEMY AWARDS SHORTLISTS HERE