Nashville Film Festival is pleased to announce the addition of the new “Widelitz Music In Film Award” in honor of long-time 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 long-time NashFilm supporter and songwriter and composer, Stacy Widelitz. This award recognizes outstanding music in film that elevates storytelling through unforgettable sounds, melodies and emotion. This special award 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.
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.
For more information on the festival schedule, please visit: https://nashvillefilmfestival.org/2025-festival/
About Stacy Widelitz
Stacy Widelitz, a long-time champion and board member of NashFilm and celebrated composer and songwriter, passed away on June 17, 2025.
Widelitz co-wrote the song “She’s Like the Wind,” with his friend Patrick Swayze for the Dirty Dancing soundtrack. The track 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.
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.
In a note Widelitz shared in the week before his passing he said: “When I look at my life, I’ve been on an incredibly lucky streak. I pursued my dreams of a career in music from an early age, and made a success of them. I even found further satisfaction and success with new and unexpected pursuits, such as photography and civic leadership. It’s been gratifying, fascinating, at times challenging and infuriating, but mostly it’s been a whole lot of fun. I’m not torturing myself with ‘shoulda” or “coulda.’ As Edith Piaf sang, ‘Non, Je Ne Regrette Rien’ – I regret nothing.”
About Nashville Film Festival
The Nashville Film Festival (NashFilm) is a globally recognized nonprofit organization and cultural event presenting the best in world cinema, American independent films and documentaries by veteran masters, up-and-coming directors, and first-time filmmakers. With Academy Award® qualifying status, the Nashville Film Festival celebrates innovation, music and the many voices of the human spirit through the art of film. Originally founded in 1969, the Nashville Film Festival is one of the first film festivals in the United States and will host its 56th festival from September 18-24, 2025. For more information, visit www.nashfilm.org.
