Music
From the timeless carol to the modern holiday single, we celebrate the songs, scores, and recording artists that become the soundtrack of the season — honoring craft, originality, and the feeling a single melody can carry across a lifetime.
About HMFA
Celebrating holiday music, film, and the kindness that defines the season.
The Holiday Music & Film Awards is an independent, annual celebration of the songs, films, performances, and people who make the holidays unforgettable — judged on craft and heart in equal measure.
Our Mission
One stage for craft and kindness.
We exist to honor the artistry of the holiday season — the music that scores our memories, the films that gather our families, and the generosity that quietly carries communities through the coldest months.
Each year, HMFA opens submissions in June, reviews eligibility, selects nominees, and culminates in a ceremony every November and December. Awards are presented across Music, Film, Music in Film, and Community Impact — with the same reverence given to a nonprofit's coat drive as to a record-breaking single.
It is the only awards show built specifically for the season, and built to recognize the people behind the season as warmly as the work itself.
Holiday Entertainment, Reimagined
Three pillars hold up everything we do.
Film
Features, shorts, performances, and the artisans behind the camera. We recognize the holiday films — beloved classics and bold new voices alike — that gather families, spark traditions, and remind us why we return to the same stories year after year.
Community Impact
We honor kindness as loudly as we honor craft. Nonprofits, volunteers, and everyday neighbors whose generosity shapes their communities during the holidays are recognized on the same stage as the artists they inspire.
The Event Experience
A night the season deserves.
The HMFA ceremony is an evening, not a moment — an arc that carries guests from the red carpet to the final award of the night.
- 01
The Red Carpet
An arrivals moment worthy of the work — artists, filmmakers, honorees, and changemakers welcomed under the lights.
- 02
Awards Dinner
A seated evening of celebration, gathering nominees, presenters, partners, and community leaders at one table.
- 03
Live Performances
Original and reimagined holiday performances staged live throughout the ceremony — the heartbeat of the night.
- 04
Networking
Curated introductions between artists, studios, nonprofits, and sponsors who keep the season's spirit working all year.
- 05
The Awards Presentation
The centerpiece: winners across Music, Film, and Community Impact honored on the HMFA stage.
Why HMFA Exists
The holidays produce some of the most enduring art and the most selfless acts of the year — and almost none of it is celebrated on its own stage. We built one.
HMFA gives the season's artists and its quiet heroes the recognition, the spotlight, and the standing ovation they have always earned.
Leadership
The team behind the stage.
Our leadership team is being finalized. Full bios will be announced ahead of the next ceremony.
HMFA
Founder & Executive Director
Sets the vision for HMFA and stewards its mission across every cycle.
Announced soonHMFA
Awards Director
Oversees eligibility, judging, and the integrity of every category.
Announced soonHMFA
Head of Community Impact
Leads nonprofit partnerships and the kindness-recognition program.
Announced soonHMFA
Director of Production
Shapes the ceremony, the stage, and the live audience experience.
Announced soonAdvisory Committee
Guidance from across the season.
A rotating committee of voices from music, film, philanthropy, and media safeguards the integrity of every category. These seats are being appointed for the coming cycle.
Music Industry Seat
Appointment pendingFilm & Screen Seat
Appointment pendingComposers & Music Supervision Seat
Appointment pendingNonprofit & Philanthropy Seat
Appointment pendingBroadcast & Media Seat
Appointment pendingArtist Advocacy Seat
Appointment pendingOur Story
How HMFA came to be.
Founding
An idea takes the stage
HMFA is founded on a simple conviction — that holiday music, film, and acts of kindness deserve an award show of their own, judged on merit and heart in equal measure.
First Ceremony
The inaugural awards
Our first honorees are recognized across Music and Film, establishing the standard of craft and the warmth that would define every ceremony to come.
Expansion
Categories grow
Submissions broaden across songs, albums, features, shorts, original scores, and music in film — eight buckets and dozens of categories spanning the full season of storytelling.
Community Impact
Kindness joins the stage
We add the Community Impact Initiatives, honoring nonprofits and individuals whose generosity shapes their communities — the same spotlight, shared with those who give.
Today
An annual tradition
Submissions open every June and the ceremony lights up each November and December — an independent celebration of the people and works that make the holidays unforgettable.
Join the celebration
Be part of the season's most meaningful night.
Whether you create the season's art, lift up your community, or want to help put it all on stage — there is a place for you at HMFA.
Questions? info@holidaymusicandfilmawards.com · 904-634-8836