SESAC honors film and TV composers at 2026 awards in Santa Monica

SESAC 2026 Film and Television Composer Awards

The SESAC 2026 Film and Television Composer Awards brought the performing rights organization's annual celebration of film and TV scoring back to the Casa del Mar in Santa Monica, California, on June 3. The invitation-only dinner recognized SESAC PRO's top composers across five categories: film, network television, local television, cable television, and streaming media.

Standout honorees

According to Billboard, Laura Karpman was honored for her work on Captain America: Brave New World, a score that earned a shortlist mention at the 2026 Academy Awards for best original score. Daniel Lopatin received recognition for Marty Supreme, which brought him a 2026 Critics Choice Award nomination for best original score.

The Newton Brothers continued their run as go-to composers for contemporary horror, earning honors for both Fear Street: Prom Queen and Five Nights at Freddy's 2. Collaborators Wow Jones and JIMIJAME$ were also recognized for their composition work on Tyler Perry's Duplicity.

The organization behind the awards

SESAC PRO's senior VP of TV and Film Creative Services, Erin Collins, framed the evening as a moment of gratitude. "Behind every project is an immense amount of heart, dedication, and creativity," she said in a statement quoted by Billboard.

SESAC Performing Rights represents composers and songwriters across a broad range of genres. Its roster includes artists such as Adele, Burna Boy, Bob Dylan, Kesha, and R.E.M., among others. SESAC PRO operates as a division of SESAC Music Group, described as a global multi-line music company.

The awards serve as a quieter but consistent fixture in the industry calendar, giving recognition to the composers whose work shapes how audiences experience film and television, often without much public fanfare.