Dune: Part Two, Saturday Night, and Wicked Win Big at Golden Reel Awards

The 72nd annual Golden Reel Awards, held at the Wilshire Ebell Theatre in Los Angeles, celebrated the outstanding achievements in sound editing, sound design, and Foley artistry in film, television, and gaming. This prestigious event honored top films and projects across multiple categories, with Dune: Part Two, Saturday Night, and Wicked taking home the major honors for Feature Dialogue/ADR Editing, Feature Effects/Foley, and Feature Music Editing, respectively. The night showcased a diverse range of talent and recognized the essential role sound plays in the storytelling process.

Hosted by the charismatic comedian Patton Oswalt, who returned for his third consecutive year, the ceremony was a night to remember. One of the highlights was the special recognition of Kevin Costner with the Filmmaker Award for his immense contributions to the industry. Another special moment came with the presentation of the Career Achievement Award to the legendary supervising sound editor, Greg Hedgepath, MPSE. These prestigious honors reflected the continued evolution of the sound editing craft and the people whose work has shaped it over the years.

In addition to these top honors, the awards ceremony also highlighted projects like Emilia Pérez, which took home the Golden Reel for Sound Editing in Feature International, and The Wild Robot, which received recognition for Sound Editing in Feature Animation. These wins exemplify the incredible range of sound artistry seen across various genres, from international cinema to cutting-edge animation.

The success of Dune: Part Two, Saturday Night, and Wicked at the Golden Reel Awards speaks volumes about the crucial role sound design plays in enhancing the visual narrative. Dune: Part Two, a sequel to the highly acclaimed Dune, took home the award for Feature Effects/Foley, a category that honors the creative and technical prowess behind the sound effects and Foley artistry that bring the film’s world to life. This victory further solidifies its place as one of the year’s most anticipated films, as it continues to capture the imagination of audiences and critics alike.

Saturday Night clinched the award for Feature Dialogue/ADR Editing, a testament to the precision and excellence behind its dialogue editing. Sound editors working on this film demonstrated their skill in crafting seamless ADR (Automated Dialogue Replacement) that blended perfectly with the live-action shots, contributing to the film’s immersive experience. Meanwhile, Wicked, the highly anticipated adaptation of the Broadway hit, was awarded the Golden Reel for Feature Music Editing. The music in Wicked is a vital aspect of its storytelling, with the sound editors working tirelessly to create a rich musical tapestry that supports the film’s emotional depth and dramatic moments.

Beyond the feature film categories, the awards also recognized excellence in sound editing across broadcast and gaming. Secret Level: “Warhammer 40,000: They Shall Know No Fear” won in the category of Broadcast Animation, showcasing the intricate sound design that brought this animated series to life. In the Broadcast Long Form Dialogue/ADR category, Shōgun: “Ladies of the Willow World” was honored for its impressive ADR and dialogue editing.

Notably, the Golden Reel Awards also reflect the growing importance of sound in digital media, as seen with Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, which won for Game Dialogue/ADR, and Star Wars Outlaws, which took home the award for Game Music. These gaming categories continue to evolve, with interactive media becoming an essential part of the sound editing world. The immersive experiences in these games rely on precise sound engineering to create lifelike worlds that transport players into the narrative.

The impact of these Golden Reel Awards winners extends beyond the event itself, as many of these projects are nominated for this year’s Academy Award for Best Sound. Dune: Part Two and Wicked, both contenders for the prestigious Oscar, now stand as powerful examples of the mastery involved in sound editing, sound design, and music editing.

The Golden Reel Awards remain one of the most respected celebrations in the industry, recognizing the artistry and technical expertise of sound professionals who are vital to the filmmaking and entertainment process. Sound design is an often overlooked aspect of film and television, but these awards highlight how it enhances and elevates storytelling, making it as important as any visual element.

This year’s Golden Reel Awards reminded everyone of the endless possibilities that sound offers to filmmakers and sound editors alike. As technology continues to evolve and the boundaries of creativity expand, it’s exciting to think about where the craft of sound editing will go next, and how future films, television shows, and games will continue to push the envelope in sound artistry.

As we look ahead to the upcoming Academy Awards, the sound editing and Foley work recognized at the Golden Reel Awards could be a major indicator of who takes home the Oscar for Best Sound. The importance of sound in filmmaking continues to grow, and with these awards, we celebrate the artists who bring these sounds to life, one edit at a time.