categories

hover over category button to reveal criteria.

the first 6 categories are sub-divided into 3 different types - for uk recording artists, international recording artists and newcomer directors (some genres are combined for newcomer directors).

• best pop video

  this category is open to any single pop video completed and delivered to the commissioning company or client between 1 august 2025 and 31 july 2026. please note, any works entered into the 2025 awards cannot be entered again.

  you must select a sub-category: uk, international or newcomer.

  • uk means a video directed for a uk recording artist (ie. a british passport holder or longterm uk resident)

  • international means a video directed for a non-uk recording artist

  • newcomer means a video for either a uk or international artist by newcomer directing talent. a newcomer is defined as a director whose first commissioned music video was completed and delivered after 1 january 2023.

  please note that there will be 4 awards for newcomers as follows:

  • best pop / r&b / soul / jazz video - newcomer
  • best dance / electronic video - newcomer
  • best rock / alternative video - newcomer
  • best hip hop / grime / rap video - newcomer

  when you select 'newcomer' your video will be automatically entered into the appropriate award category.

  judging criteria

  our judges will be asked to assess the entries according to the following criteria:

  • originality of concept
  • technical expertise and execution
  • effectiveness of the video in showcasing or promoting the music

   

  

  sponsors best pop video uk

• best r&b / soul / jazz video

  this category is open to any single r&b, soul or jazz video completed and delivered to the commissioning company or client between 1 august 2025 and 31 july 2026. please note, any works entered into the 2025 awards cannot be entered again.

  you must select a sub-category: uk, international or newcomer.

  • uk means a video directed for a uk recording artist (ie. a british passport holder or longterm uk resident)

  • international means a video directed for a non-uk recording artist

  • newcomer means a video for either a uk or international artist by newcomer directing talent. a newcomer is defined as a director whose first commissioned music video was completed and delivered after 1 january 2023.

  please note that there will be 4 awards for newcomers as follows:

  • best pop / r&b / soul / jazz video - newcomer
  • best dance / electronic video - newcomer
  • best rock / alternative video - newcomer
  • best hip hop / grime / rap video - newcomer

  when you select 'newcomer' your video will be automatically entered into the appropriate award category.

  judging criteria

  our judges will be asked to assess the entries according to the following criteria:

  • originality of concept

  • technical expertise and execution

  • effectiveness of the video in showcasing or promoting the music

• best dance / electronic video

  this category is open to any single dance or electronic video completed and delivered to the commissioning company or client between 1 august 2025 and 31 july 2026. please note, any works entered into the 2025 awards cannot be entered again.

  you must select a sub-category: uk, international or newcomer.

  • uk means a video directed for a uk recording artist (ie. a british passport holder or longterm uk resident)

  • international means a video directed for a non-uk recording artist

  • newcomer means a video for either a uk or international artist by newcomer directing talent. a newcomer is defined as a director whose first commissioned music video was completed and delivered after 1 january 2023.

  please note that there will be 4 awards for newcomers as follows:

  • best pop / r&b / soul / jazz video - newcomer
  • best dance / electronic video - newcomer
  • best rock / alternative video - newcomer
  • best hip hop / grime / rap video - newcomer

  when you select 'newcomer' your video will be automatically entered into the appropriate award category.

  judging criteria

  our judges will be asked to assess the entries according to the following criteria:

  • originality of concept

  • technical expertise and execution

  • effectiveness of the video in showcasing or promoting the music

• best rock video

  this category is open to any single rock video completed and delivered to the commissioning company or client between 1 august 2025 and 31 july 2026. please note, any works entered into the 2025 awards cannot be entered again.

  you must select a sub-category: uk, international or newcomer.

  • uk means a video directed for a uk recording artist (ie. a british passport holder or longterm uk resident)

  • international means a video directed for a non-uk recording artist

  • newcomer means a video for either a uk or international artist by newcomer directing talent. a newcomer is defined as a director whose first commissioned music video was completed and delivered after 1 january 2023.

  please note that there will be 4 awards for newcomers as follows:

  • best pop / r&b / soul / jazz video - newcomer
  • best dance / electronic video - newcomer
  • best rock / alternative video - newcomer
  • best hip hop / grime / rap video - newcomer

  when you select 'newcomer' your video will be automatically entered into the appropriate award category.

  judging criteria

  our judges will be asked to assess the entries according to the following criteria:

  • originality of concept

  • technical expertise and execution

  • effectiveness of the video in showcasing or promoting the music

• best alternative video

  this category is open to any single alternative video completed and delivered to the commissioning company or client between 1 august 2025 and 31 july 2026. please note, any works entered into the 2025 awards cannot be entered again.

  you must select a sub-category: uk, international or newcomer.

  • uk means a video directed for a uk recording artist (ie. a british passport holder or longterm uk resident)

  • international means a video directed for a non-uk recording artist

  • newcomer means a video for either a uk or international artist by newcomer directing talent. a newcomer is defined as a director whose first commissioned music video was completed and delivered after 1 january 2023.

  please note that there will be 4 awards for newcomers as follows:

  • best pop / r&b / soul / jazz video - newcomer
  • best dance / electronic video - newcomer
  • best rock / alternative video - newcomer
  • best hip hop / grime / rap video - newcomer
    when you select 'newcomer' your video will be automatically entered into the appropriate award category.

  judging criteria

  our judges will be asked to assess the entries according to the following criteria:

  • originality of concept

  • technical expertise and execution

  • effectiveness of the video in showcasing or promoting the music

• best hip hop / grime / rap video

  this category is open to any single hip hop, grime or rap video completed and delivered to the commissioning company or client between 1 august 2025 and 31 july 2026. please note, any works entered into the 2025 awards cannot be entered again.

  you must select a sub-category: uk, international or newcomer.

  • uk means a video directed for a uk recording artist (ie. a british passport holder or longterm uk resident)

  • international means a video directed for a non-uk recording artist

  • newcomer means a video for either a uk or international artist by newcomer directing talent. a newcomer is defined as a director whose first commissioned music video was completed and delivered after 1 january 2023.

  please note that there will be 4 awards for newcomers as follows:

  • best pop / r&b / soul / jazz video - newcomer
  • best dance / electronic video - newcomer
  • best rock / alternative video - newcomer
  • best hip hop / grime / rap video - newcomer

  when you select 'newcomer' your video will be automatically entered into the appropriate award category.

  judging criteria

  our judges will be asked to assess the entries according to the following criteria:

  • originality of concept

  • technical expertise and execution

  • effectiveness of the video in showcasing or promoting the music

• best low budget video or visualiser

  this category is open to any single video or visualiser made for gb£5000 or less which was completed and delivered to the commissioning company or client between 1 august 2025 and 31 july 2026. please note, any works entered into the 2025 awards cannot be entered again.
  please note this category has a lower entry fee of gb£80 (+vat).

  judging criteria

  our judges will be asked to assess the entries according to the following criteria:

  • originality of concept
  • technical expertise and execution
  • effectiveness of the video or visualiser in showcasing or promoting the music
• best live video

  this category is open to any live audio performance recording of a single track or up to 3 tracks in one session, completed and delivered to the commissioning company or other client, between 1 august 2025 and 31 july 2026. please note, any works entered into the 2025 awards cannot be entered again.

  judging criteria

  our judges will be asked to assess the entries according to the following criteria:

  • artistic merit

  • technical expertise and execution

  • effectiveness of the film in promoting or showcasing the music and/or artist

• best special visual project

  this category is open to any piece of work that could be considered a special visual project and includes microform and shortform online content, multi-track videos, extended play recordings, video campaigns, video albums, interactive and experimental works and other films which extend the boundaries of music video, and the visual representation and promotion of music generally. this category is for shortform films and projects which are under 60 minutes in length.

  to qualify the work must have been completed and delivered to the commissioning company or other client, between 1 august 2025 and 31 july 2026. please note, any works entered into the 2025 awards cannot be entered again.

  entrants are required to upload a copy of the project to our online platform, or to provide a non-password protected link to a viewing folder in the case of projects which comprise multiple films. entrants are also asked to supply some brief supplementary information.

  judging criteria

  our judges will be asked to assess the entries according to the following criteria:

  • artistic merit

  • technical expertise and execution

  • effectiveness of the visual project in promoting or showcasing the artist, music or project for which it was created

• best performance in a video

  this category is open to any single video featuring a central performance by an artist, actor or ensemble. to qualify, the video must have been completed and delivered to the commissioning company or client, between 1 august 2025 and 31 july 2026. please note, any works entered into the 2025 awards cannot be entered again.

  judging criteria

  judges will be asked to assess the entries according to the following criteria (where applicable):

  • creativity and inventiveness of the performance, in terms of delivery, interpretation of the role or, where relevant, the casting

  • emotional impact of the performance

  • contribution of the performance in promoting or showcasing the music and/or artist

• best casting in a video

  this category is open to any single video featuring a central performance by an actor or ensemble. to qualify, the video must have been completed and delivered to the commissioning company or client, between 1 august 2025 and 31 july 2026. please note, any works entered into the 2025 awards cannot be entered again.

  judging criteria

  judges will be asked to assess the entries according to the following criteria:

  • creativity and inventiveness of the casting in terms of selection of actors and/or ensemble

  • effectiveness of the casting in terms of storytelling and the artistic vision of the video

  • contribution of the casting to the overall success of the video

• best production design in a video

  this category is open to any music video completed and delivered to the commissioning company or other client between 1 august 2025 and 31 july 2026. please note, any works entered into the 2025 awards cannot be entered again.
  this category is primarily for single track music videos, but multi-tracks under 15 minutes in duration may also qualify.

  the award is made to the production designer of the video.

  judging criteria

  our judges will be asked to assess the entries according to the following criteria:

  • artistic merit
  • quality of execution
  • creative contribution of the production design to the final video
• best styling in a video

  this category is open to any music video completed and delivered to the commissioning company or other client between 1 august 2025 and 31 july 2026. please note, any works entered into the 2025 awards cannot be entered again.
  this category is primarily for single track music videos, but multi-tracks under 15 minutes in duration may also qualify.

  the award is open to wardrobe stylists and costume designers, hair & make-up artists and special effects artists and will be made to the person responsible for the relevant styling in the video.

  judging criteria

  our judges will be asked to assess the entries according to the following criteria:

  • artistic merit
  • quality of execution
  • creative contribution of the specific styling to the final video

   

  

  sponsors best styling in a video

• best choreography in a video

  this category is open to any music video completed and delivered to the commissioning company or other client between 1 august 2025 and 31 july 2026. please note, any works entered into the 2025 awards cannot be entered again.
  this category is primarily for single track music videos, but multi-tracks under 15 minutes in duration may also qualify.

  the award is made to the choreographer of the video.

  judging criteria

  our judges will be asked to assess the entries according to the following criteria:

  • artistic merit
  • quality of execution
  • creative contribution of the choreography to the final video
• best cinematography in a video

  this category is open to any music video completed and delivered to the commissioning company or other client between 1 august 2025 and 31 july 2026. please note, any works entered into the 2025 awards cannot be entered again.
  this category is primarily for single track music videos, but multi-tracks under 15 minutes in duration may also qualify.

  the award is made to the cinematographer of the video.

  judging criteria

  our judges will be asked to assess the entries according to the following criteria:

  • artistic merit
  • quality of execution
  • creative contribution of the cinematography to the final video
• best cinematography in a video - newcomer

  this category is open to any music video with a newcomer cinematographer which was completed and delivered to the commissioning company or other client between 1 august 2025 and 31 july 2026.
  this award is primarily intended for up-and-coming talent. a newcomer cinematographer is defined as someone who only began to work consistently as a dop of official music videos (ie, making 3 or more in a calendar year) after 1st january 2023.

  please note, any works entered into the 2025 awards cannot be entered again. this category is mainly for single track music videos, but multi-tracks under 15 minutes in duration may also qualify.

  the award is made to the cinematographer of the video.

  judging criteria

  our judges will be asked to assess the entries according to the following criteria:

  • artistic merit
  • quality of execution
  • creative contribution of the cinematography to the final video
• best colour grading in a video

  this category is open to any music video completed and delivered to the commissioning company or other client between 1 august 2025 and 31 july 2026. please note, any works entered into the 2025 awards cannot be entered again.
  this category is primarily for single track music videos, but multi-tracks under 15 minutes in duration may also qualify.

  the award is made to the colourist of the video.

  judging criteria

  our judges will be asked to assess the entries according to the following criteria:

  • artistic merit
  • quality of execution
  • creative contribution of the colour grade to the final video

  please note that if your work is selected to go through to round 2 of judging, you will be asked to supply side-by-side files for your entry to demonstrate the work of the colourist.

   

  

  sponsors best colour grading in a video

• best colour grading in a video - newcomer

  this category is open to any music video with a newcomer colour grader which was completed and delivered to the commissioning company or other client between 1 august 2025 and 31 july 2026.
  this award is primarily intended for up-and-coming talent. a newcomer colourist is defined as someone who only began to work consistently as a colourist of official music videos (ie, making 3 or more in a calendar year) after 1st january 2023.

  this category is mainly for single track music videos, but multi-tracks under 15 minutes in duration may also qualify.

  the award is made to the colourist of the video.

  judging criteria

  our judges will be asked to assess the entries according to the following criteria:

  • artistic merit
  • quality of execution
  • creative contribution of the colour grade to the final video

  please note that if your work is selected to go through to round 2 of judging, you will be asked to supply side-by-side files for your entry to demonstrate the work of the colourist.

• best editing in a video

  this category is open to any music video completed and delivered to the commissioning company or other client between 1 august 2025 and 31 july 2026. please note, any works entered into the 2025 awards cannot be entered again.
  this category is primarily for single track music videos, but multi-tracks under 15 minutes in duration may also qualify.

  the award is made to the editor of the video.

  judging criteria

  our judges will be asked to assess the entries according to the following criteria:

  • artistic merit
  • quality of execution
  • creative contribution of the editing to the final video

   

  

  sponsors best editing in a video

• best editing in a video - newcomer

  this category is open to any music video with a newcomer editor which was completed and delivered to the commissioning company or other client between 1 august 2025 and 31 july 2026.
  this award is primarily intended for up-and-coming talent. a newcomer editor is defined as someone who only began to work consistently as an editor of official music videos (ie, making 3 or more in a calendar year) after 1st january 2023.

  this category is mainly for single track music videos, but multi-tracks under 15 minutes in duration may also qualify.

  the award is made to the editor of the video.

  judging criteria

  our judges will be asked to assess the entries according to the following criteria:

  • artistic merit
  • quality of execution
  • creative contribution of the editing to the final video
• best visual effects in a video

  this category is open to any music video completed and delivered to the commissioning company or other client between 1 august 2025 and 31 july 2026. please note, any works entered into the 2025 awards cannot be entered again.
  this category is primarily for single track music videos, but multi-tracks under 15 minutes in duration may also qualify.

  the award is made to the visual effects artist(s) of the video

  judging criteria

  our judges will be asked to assess the entries according to the following criteria:

  • artistic merit
  • quality of execution
  • creative contribution of the visual effects to the final video
• best animation in a video

  this category is open to any music video completed and delivered to the commissioning company or other client between 1 august 2025 and 31 july 2026. please note, any works entered into the 2025 awards cannot be entered again.
  this category is primarily for single track music videos, but multi-tracks under 15 minutes in duration may also qualify.

  the award is made to the animator of the video.

  judging criteria

  our judges will be asked to assess the entries according to the following criteria:

  • artistic merit
  • quality of execution
  • creative contribution of the animation to the final video
• best new director

  this category is open to any director whose first commissioned music video was completed and delivered after 1 january 2023. previous winners of the category are not eligible to enter, although previous nominees will be considered as long as their first commissioned video was made after january 2023. entrants are asked to confirm this on the entry form.

  at least two eligible videos, one or both of which can be live videos, which were completed and delivered between 1 august 2025 and 31 july 2026 must be uploaded to our platform for the entry to qualify.

  judging criteria

  our judges will be looking for an exceptional body of work over the course of the past 12 months and not just one particular video.

• best director

  this category is open to any video director who has directed 2 or more music videos which have been completed and delivered between 1 august 2025 and 31 july 2026.

  two eligible videos, one or more of which can be live videos, must be uploaded to our platform for the entry to qualify.

  judging criteria

  our judges will be looking for an exceptional body of work over the course of the past 12 months and not just one particular video.

   

  

  sponsors best director

• best creative commissioner

  this category is open to any creative commissioner who has commissioned 5 or more music videos which have been completed and delivered between 1 august 2025 and 31 july 2026.

  five eligible videos, one or more of which can be live videos, must be uploaded to our platform to qualify.

  judging criteria

  our judges will be looking for an exceptional body of work over the course of the past 12 months and not just one particular video.

• best executive producer

  this category is open to any executive producer who has been responsible for 5 music videos which have been completed and delivered between 1 august 2025 and 31 july 2026.

  please note that there is a separate category for producers. nominees can only enter either best producer or best executive producer, not both.

  five eligible videos, one or more of which can be live videos, must be uploaded to our platform for the entry to qualify.

  judging criteria

  our judges will be looking for an exceptional body of work over the course of the past 12 months and not just one particular video.

• best producer

  this category is open to any video producer who has produced 3 or more music videos which have been completed and delivered between 1 august 2025 and 31 july 2026.

  please note that there is a separate category for executive producers. nominees can only enter either best producer or best executive producer, not both.

  at least three (but up to five) eligible videos, one or more of which can be live videos, must be uploaded to our platform for the entry to qualify.

  judging criteria

  our judges will be looking for an exceptional body of work over the course of the past 12 months and not just one particular video.

   

  

  sponsors best producer

• best agent

  this category is open to any individual agent whose client or clients have worked on 5 or more music videos which have been completed and delivered between 1 august 2025 and 31 july 2026. eligible entrants include director's reps, dop's reps, production designer and stylist reps, or any other agent representing one or more professionals working in music video creation.

  reps who work completely in tandem as a duo are permitted to enter as one entity but under their personal names in the first instance with the company name as a reference – eg x & x at y company. they cannot enter solely under a company name.

  reps from a single company who have their own rosters should enter separately. where they have worked jointly on a video, they are both permitted to include that video in their required 5, but they should also include videos they have repped solo.

  five eligible videos, one or more of which can be live videos, must be uploaded to our platform for the entry to qualify. videos can be from one or multiple clients. you will be asked to specify the role(s) and name(s) of the client(s) you booked for each video you enter.

  judging criteria

  judges will be looking for an exceptional body of work over the course of the past 12 months and not just one particular video.

• best production company

  this category is open to any production company which has completed and delivered 5 or more music videos or music films between 1 august 2025 and 31 july 2026.

  five eligible videos, one or more of which can be live videos, must be uploaded to our platform for the entry to qualify.

  judging criteria

  our judges will be looking for an exceptional body of work over the course of the past 12 months and not just one particular video.

   

  

  sponsors best production company

how to enter