BMI, the leading U.S. performing right organization, honored the composers and songwriters of the music from the past year\'s top-grossing films, top-rated prime-time network television series and highest-ranking cable network programs at its annual Film & Television Awards on Wednesday, May 17. Held at the Regent Beverly Wilshire Hotel, the black-tie gala was hosted by BMI President & CEO Del Bryant and Film/TV Relations Vice President Doreen Ringer Ross, who handed out more than 100 BMI Crystals throughout the evening.

A highlight of the ceremony was the presentation of the BMI Richard Kirk Award for Outstanding Career Achievement to versatile film composer Harry Gregson-Williams. Named after late BMI Vice President Richard Kirk, the prestigious award is given annually to a composer who has made significant contributions to film and television music. Past honorees include Jerry Goldsmith, Thomas Newman, Michael Kamen, Mark Mothersbaugh, Danny Elfman, Alan Menken, Mike Post, Lalo Schifrin and John Williams.


BMI’s President & CEO Del R. Bryant; Harry Gregson-Williams; and BMI’s Vice President Film/TV Relations, Doreen Ringer Ross

BMI also celebrated composer Earle Hagen with the Classic Contribution Award in recognition of more than 50 years as a BMI affiliate. He was also cited for 10 years of dedication as a mentor and teacher of the BMI workshop he founded in 1986, where he was instrumental in fostering the careers of many young film and television composers. Also honored were BMI\'s Oscar-, Golden Globe- and Emmy-winning composers, including Latin rock pioneer Gustavo Santaolalla, whose Brokeback Mountain music earned him an Academy Award for Best Original Score and a Golden Globe for Best Original Song for “A Love That Will Never Grow Old” from the movie\'s soundtrack.

A complete list of winners as well as high resolution jpeg photos can be found at press.bmi.com.

Now celebrating more than 65 years in business, BMI is an American performing right organization that represents more than 300,000 songwriters, composers and publishers in all genres of music. With a repertoire of more than 6.5 million musical works from around the world, the non-profit-making corporation collects license fees from businesses that use music, which it then distributes as royalties to the musical creators and copyright owners it represents.