Ludwig Göransson and Stephen Schwartz Lead Society of Composers & Lyricists Awards Nominations

Ludwig Göransson and Stephen Schwartz have emerged as the frontrunners for the upcoming 7th Society of Composers & Lyricists (SCL) Awards, each securing three nominations. Göransson's nods are for his original score to Ryan Coogler's 2025 film "Sinners" and for two dramatic songs from its soundtrack, "I Lied to You" and "Last Time (I Seen the Sun)." Schwartz, who co-wrote the score for "Wicked: For Good" with John Powell, earned individual song nominations for "No Place Like Home" and "The Girl in the Bubble." This strong showing underscores the continued influence of both established and newer musical voices in cinema.

The competition for Outstanding Original Score for a Studio Film is especially intense, mirroring recent Academy Award shortlists. Nominees include Alexandre Desplat for "Frankenstein," Jonny Greenwood for "One Battle After Another," Max Richter for "Hamnet," and the critically acclaimed Jerskin Fendrix for "Bugonia." This overlap highlights the SCL's growing reputation as a reliable predictor for the Oscar race. The original song category is similarly crowded with heavyweights, featuring Diane Warren's "Dear Me" from "Relentless," Sara Bareilles's "Salt Then Sour Then Sweet," and "Drive" from the film "F1," a collaboration between Ed Sheeran, Blake Slatkin, and John Mayer. Industry analysts note that a win here can significantly boost a song's visibility ahead of the larger awards ceremonies.

A central moment of the ceremony will be the presentation of the Spirit of Collaboration Award to composer Ludwig Göransson and director Ryan Coogler. This prize honors enduring creative partnerships that define modern filmmaking. Their prolific alliance, which started with Coogler's 2013 debut "Fruitvale Station," has yielded commercial and critical successes like "Creed" and the two "Black Panther" films. Göransson won an Academy Award for his score to the first "Black Panther," a testament to the partnership's impact. The award was last given in 2025 to composer Harry Gregson-Williams and director Ridley Scott, placing Göransson and Coogler in a lineage that includes celebrated duos like the Coen Brothers and composer Carter Burwell.

The awards gala is scheduled for February 6, 2026, at Los Angeles's Skirball Cultural Center. The event will be hosted by The Bacon Brothers—actor Kevin Bacon and his musician brother, Michael—and will feature a special performance by Grammy-winning singer-songwriter Melissa Manchester, famed for 1980s hits like "You Should Hear How She Talks About You." The Society of Composers & Lyricists, the primary professional organization for music creators in film, television, and games, uses this event to spotlight artistic excellence across visual media.

The SCL Awards also comprehensively recognize music in television and video games, reflecting the expanding landscape for composers. Major television nominees include Theodore Shapiro for "Severance" and Cristobal Tapia De Veer for his immersive, award-winning score for "The White Lotus," which also earned a nod for its title sequence music. In the interactive arena, contenders are Austin Wintory for "Sword Of The Sea" and Gordy Haab for the eagerly awaited "Indiana Jones and the Great Circle." Furthermore, the David Raksin Award for Emerging Talent will highlight six promising composers, such as Cameron Moody for "Washington Black" and Raashi Kulkarni for "A Nice Indian Boy." This focus on new talent ensures the ceremony not only honors current achievements but also fosters the next generation of storytelling through music.