2026 Golden Reel Award Winners Announced by MPSE

Sinners, Frankenstein, and Sirât among the honorees at the 73rd annual ceremony

Published on Mar. 9, 2026

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The Motion Picture Sound Editors (MPSE) announced the winners of the 73rd annual Golden Reel Awards, recognizing excellence in sound editing, sound design, music editing, and foley artistry across film, TV, and video games. Notable winners included 'Sinners,' 'Frankenstein,' and 'Sirât,' which were also nominated for Oscars in the sound categories. The MPSE also presented honorary awards to Kathleen Kennedy and Mark Mangini.

Why it matters

The Golden Reel Awards are a prestigious honor in the sound editing community, celebrating the crucial role sound plays in bringing stories to life on screen. The winners represent some of the year's most acclaimed and innovative work in audio post-production, showcasing the artistry and technical mastery of sound professionals.

The details

The MPSE announced that projects incorporating generative AI sound would not be eligible for awards consideration this year, as the organization grapples with the evolving role of emerging audio technologies. The ceremony was hosted by Patton Oswalt at the Wilshire Ebell Theatre in Los Angeles, with MPSE president David Barber presiding.

  • The 73rd annual Golden Reel Awards ceremony took place on March 9, 2026.
  • The MPSE announced last summer that projects using generative AI sound would not be eligible for awards consideration.

The players

Kathleen Kennedy

Former Lucasfilm chief who received the Filmmaker Award.

Mark Mangini

Supervising sound editor who received the Career Achievement Award.

Patton Oswalt

The evening's host, serving in that role for the fourth time.

David Barber

The president of the MPSE who presided over the festivities.

Sinners

A film that was among the Oscar nominees for sound.

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What they’re saying

“The Golden Reel Awards are a crucial recognition of the vital role sound plays in bringing stories to life on screen. This year's winners represent the pinnacle of artistry and technical mastery in audio post-production.”

— David Barber, MPSE President

The takeaway

The 2026 Golden Reel Awards showcase the enduring importance of sound in the filmmaking process, even as new technologies like generative AI continue to evolve the craft. The honored projects and individuals demonstrate the skill and creativity required to elevate the viewing experience through innovative sound design and editing.