If you've ever been moved by a film, captivated by a television scene, or immersed in a video game world, there's a good chance music played a major role. Behind those scores are composers shaping emotional landscapes—and this year, ASCAP is giving them their due.
The American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) is no stranger to celebrating musical excellence. Representing more than one million music creators, ASCAP is the only U.S. performing rights organization run as a not-for-profit—and by creators themselves. From licensing over 20 million musical works to returning nearly 90% of revenue to its members, the organization is built to advocate for, protect, and support the people who make music happen.
At its 2025 Screen Music Awards, ASCAP honored a remarkable lineup of composers who helped define the sound of the past year’s film, television, and gaming landscapes. Among the most anticipated honors were the Composers’ Choice Awards—unique in the industry for being chosen by ASCAP’s own community of composers and songwriters.
This year’s Composers’ Choice winners represent a diverse and creative slate of projects:
- Film Score of the Year: Challengers – Trent Reznor
- Television Score of the Year: Palm Royale – Jeff Toyne
- Television Theme of the Year: Palm Royale – Jeff Toyne
- Documentary Score of the Year: Jim Henson Idea Man – David Fleming
- Video Game Score of the Year: Tales of Kenzera: ZAU – Nainita Desai
A statement from the company reveals that the winners were selected from “an outstanding collection of nominees” whose work spanned everything from “a passionate sports drama” to “a captivating fantasy-adventure video game.”
In other major categories, Andrea Datzman earned Top Box Office Film of the Year for her score to Inside Out 2, continuing the emotional legacy of the beloved animated franchise. Jeff Cardoni received Top Network Television Series for his work on Young Sheldon, while John Sereda was awarded Top Cable Television Series for When Calls the Heart. David Vanacore took top honors in the Most Performed Themes & Underscore category, highlighting the widespread reach of his music across formats.
Streaming series and films also earned recognition. Among the Top Streaming Series winners:
- Bear McCreary – The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power
- Michael Abels – The Acolyte
- Jamie Jackson & WAZ – Bad Monkey
- Rupert Gregson-Williams, Josh Kear, & Meghan Trainor – The Perfect Couple
And for Top Streaming Films:
- Hans Zimmer – Blitz
- Lorne Balfe – Carry-On
- Amelia Warner – Young Woman and the Sea
- Siddhartha Khosla – The Idea of You
These awards reflect the broadening role of screen music across platforms and genres, from theatrical releases to binge-worthy dramas. By recognizing both blockbuster composers and innovative storytellers, ASCAP continues to highlight the essential role music plays in shaping visual storytelling.
The full list of 2025 winners is available at www.ascap.com/screenawards25.
