Nashville Film Festival Announces New ‘Widelitz Music In Film Award’

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Stacy Widelitz

The Nashville Film Festival has announced the addition of the new “Widelitz Music In Film Award” in honor of longtime NashFilm supporter and former board member Stacy Widelitz.

NashFilm’s inaugural Widelitz Music In Film Award at the 56th Nashville Film Festival celebrates the power of music in film in honor of songwriter and composer Widelitz. The award recognizes outstanding music in film that elevates storytelling through unforgettable sounds, melodies and emotion, and spotlights the artists whose original music brings heart, soul and resonance to the big screen.

Over the course of his career, Widelitz composed music for feature films and more than 20 made-for-TV movies, and was nominated for an Emmy for his work on ABC’s World of Discovery. His song, “She’s Like the Wind,” co-written with his friend Patrick Swayze for the Dirty Dancing soundtrack, reached No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 and No. 1 on the Adult Contemporary chart in 1988, driving the success of the film’s soundtrack. Widelitz passed away on June 17, 2025.

The Widelitz Music In Film Award has been added to the competitive jury-determined categories for the 56th Nashville Film Festival and the winner will be announced at the official awards ceremony, taking place Sunday, Sept. 21 at the Nashville Hilton Green Hills.

Lorie Hollabaugh
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