News

WDMV Announces Proposed Guidelines for Pitching

The music video director advocacy and community group We Direct Music Videos (WDMV) has announced a set of Guidelines and Best Practices for the Pitching Process. 

WDMV is spearheaded by Daniel Kwan of the directing duo Daniels and is committed to sustainable directorial labor practices in the music video industry, with a current focus on respect, transparency, and the minimization of free work.. Pledged supporters include Award-winning directors Spike Jonze, Melina Matsoukas, Hiro Murai, DANIELS, Emily Kai Bock and Alma Har’el. 

To learn more about WDMV and its mission, visit wedirectmusicvideos.com.

2019 MTV VMA Nominations

MTV today unveiled the nominations for the 2019 “VMAs,” which includes dozens of artists whose reach and influence have elevated the music industry and global cultural conversation. Ariana Grande and Taylor Swift lead the nominations with 10 nods each in categories including, “Video of the Year,” “Song of the Year” and “Best Pop.” Other top contenders include first-time VMA nominees Billie Eilish and Lil Nas X who both entered the category of “Best New Artist,” presented by Taco Bell®.  This year’s show will introduce two new categories, “Best K-Pop” and “Video for Good.” 

Beginning today, fans can vote for their favorites across 14 gender-neutral VMA categories, including “Video of the Year,” “Artist of the Year,” “Best Collaboration” and more by visiting vma.mtv.com until Thursday, August 15. Voting for the “Best New Artist” award, presented by Taco Bell®, will remain active until the VMA broadcast. Fans onTwitter and Facebook Messenger can also slide into VMAs’ DMs to cast an additional vote for “Video of the Year,” “Song of the Year,” and more. Also launching this week, fans will be able to ask Alexa to “vote for the VMAs” for “Artist of the Year” within the MTV skill on Alexa-enabled devices. 

This year, for the first time ever, MTV is rewarding fans for voting through VMA Power Hour on vma.mtv.com, where their votes are doubled from 1-2pm ET daily. Superfans can come back each day within this voting window beginning tomorrow to show double the love for their favorite artists. 

Read More for a complete list of Nominees

UK MUSIC VIDEO AWARDS 2019 OPENS FOR ENTRIES

The UK Music Video Awards 2019 is now open for entries today, accepting music videos and music films from the past year. Entry deadline is August 2, 2019, and the event is scheduled to take place October 23 at London's Roundhouse.

There are over 30 categories, with opportunities for UK and International submissions.

Visit ukmva.com for submission information and more details. And read on for the full Press Release

Camerimage 2018 Music Videos Competition Line-Up Announced

Internationally recognized cinematography festival Camerimage has announced the music videos for their 2018 competition.

The nominated videos will be presented at a special screening for the Jury and the festival audience on Thursday, 15th November in Bydgoszcz, Poland, with winners announced during the Festival's Closing Ceremony on Saturday 17th November. The nominees are:

alt-J "PLEADER"

  • cinematographer: John Lynch 
  • director: Isaiah Seret
  • label: Infectious Music 
  • production company: Biscuit

Childish Gambino "THIS IS AMERICA"

  • cinematographer: Larkin Seiple 
  • director: Hiro Murai
  • label: Sony Music Entertainment 
  • production company: Doomsday Entertainment

DJ Snake "MAGENTA RIDDIM"

  • cinematographer: Arnau Valls Colomer 
  • directors: Vania Heymann, Gal Muggia 
  • label: Universal Music 
  • production company: Iconoclast

Drekoty "TROSKLIWY"

  • cinematographer: Kacper Fertacz
  • director: Zuzanna Plisz 
  • label: Thin Man Records 
  • production company: Haka Films

Florence + The Machine "HUNGER"

  • cinematographer: Evan Prosofsky 
  • director: AG Rojas 
  • label: Virgin EMI 
  • production company: Park Pictures

Imagine Dragons "NEXT TO ME"

  • cinematographer: Matthew Sakatani Roe
  • director: Mark Pellington 
  • label: Interscope 
  • production company: Prime Zero

Indochine "STATION 13"

  • cinematographer: Kaname Onoyama
  • director: Bouha Kazmi 
  • label: Sony Music Entertainment
  • production company: London Alley

Jack White "CORPORATION"

  • cinematographer: Kristof Brandl 
  • director: Jodeb 
  • label: Columbia Records
  • production company: Prettybird

Justin Timberlake "SAY SOMETHING" ft. Chris Stapleton

  • cinematographer: Bill Kirstein 
  • director: Arturo Perez Jr. 
  • label: RCA Records 
  • production company: La Blogothèque

Leon Bridges "BAD BAD NEWS"

  • cinematographer: Steve Annis 
  • director: Natalie Rae 
  • label: Columbia Records 
  • production company: Sanctuary Content

Lykke Li "HARD RAIN"

  • cinematographer: Mathieu Plainfossé
  • director: Anton Tammi
  • label: RCA Records 
  • production company: Iconoclast

Moses Sumney "QUARREL"

  • cinematographer: Sy Turnbull 
  • directors: Allie Avital, Moses Sumney 
  • label: Secretly Canadian / Jagjaguwar 
  • production company: Partizan

Novo Amor "BIRTHPLACE"

  • cinematographer: Nihal Friedel 
  • directors: Jorik Dozy, Sil Van Der Woerd
  • label: AllPoints 
  • production company: New Frontier Pictures

Novo Amor & Ed Tullett "TERRAFORM"

  • cinematographer: Nicolas Chin 
  • directors: Jorik Dozy, Sil Van Der Woerd 
  • label: AllPoints 
  • production company: New Frontier Pictures

Sevdaliza "SHAHMARAN"

  • cinematographer: Paul Özgür 
  • director: Emmanuel Adjei 
  • label: Twisted Elegance 
  • production company: Compulsory, Handsome, Halal Pictures

Son Lux "ALL DIRECTIONS"

  • cinematographer: Steve Yedlin 
  • director: Nathan Johnson 
  • label: City Slang 
  • production company: The Made Shop

Tagua Tagua "RASTRO DE PÓ"

  • cinematographer: Adolpho Veloso
  • director: Douglas Bernardt 
  • production company: Stink Films

The Carters "APES**T"

  • cinematographer: Benoît Debie 
  • director: Ricky Saiz 
  • label: Parkwood Entertainment
  • production company: Iconoclast

Visit this special camerimage page for video links, and camerimage.pl/en/ for more information.

2018 UK MVA Nominees

Nominee shortlists have been announced for this year's UK Music Video Awards, which takes place at the Roundhouse in Chalk Farm, London on Thursday October 25th, celebrating music video creativity at all levels, in all musical genres, and from all over the world.

Florence + The Machine and Sevdaliza lead the pack with five nominations apiece, while Björk, Chaka Khan, Christine and the Queens and Rosalía are close behind with four nominations each.

Visit ukmva.com for ticket information and more details. And read more here for the full nominations

2018 MTV VMA WINNERS

And the winners... are in Bold below!

VIDEO OF THE YEAR

  • Ariana Grande – “No Tears Left to Cry” 
  • Bruno Mars ft. Cardi B – “Finesse (Remix)”
  • Camila Cabello ft. Young Thug – “Havana” [winner]
  • The Carters – “APES**T” 
  • Childish Gambino – “This Is America” 
  • Drake – “God's Plan” 

ARTIST OF THE YEAR

  • Ariana Grande
  • Bruno Mars
  • Camila Cabello [winner]
  • Cardi B
  • Drake
  • Post Malone

SONG OF THE YEAR

  • Bruno Mars ft. Cardi B – “Finesse (Remix)”
  • Camila Cabello ft. Young Thug – “Havana” 
  • Drake – “God's Plan” 
  • Dua Lipa – “New Rules”
  • Ed Sheeran – “Perfect” 
  • Post Malone ft. 21 Savage – “rockstar” [winner]

BEST NEW ARTIST (Presented by Taco Bell®)

  • Bazzi
  • Cardi B [winner]
  • Chloe x Halle
  • Hayley Kiyoko
  • Lil Pump
  • Lil Uzi Vert

BEST COLLABORATION

  • Bebe Rexha ft. Florida Georgia Line – “Meant to Be”
  • Bruno Mars ft. Cardi B – “Finesse (Remix)” 
  • The Carters – “APES**T”
  • Jennifer Lopez ft. DJ Khaled & Cardi B – “Dinero” [winner]
  • Logic ft. Alessia Cara & Khalid – “1-800-273-8255”
  • N.E.R.D & Rihanna – “Lemon”

BEST POP

  • Ariana Grande – “No Tears Left to Cry” [winner]
  • Camila Cabello ft. Young Thug – “Havana”
  • Demi Lovato – “Sorry Not Sorry”
  • Ed Sheeran – “Perfect”
  • P!nk – “What About Us” 
  • Shawn Mendes – “In My Blood”

BEST HIP HOP

  • Cardi B ft. 21 Savage – “Bartier Cardi” 
  • The Carters – “APES**T”
  • Drake – “God's Plan” 
  • J. Cole – “ATM” 
  • Migos ft. Drake – “Walk It Talk It” 
  • Nicki Minaj – “Chun-Li” [winner]

BEST LATIN

  • Daddy Yankee – “Dura” 
  • J Balvin, Willy William – “Mi Gente” [winner]
  • Jennifer Lopez ft. DJ Khaled & Cardi B – “Dinero” 
  • Luis Fonsi, Demi Lovato – “Échame La Culpa” 
  • Maluma – “Felices los 4” 
  • Shakira ft. Maluma – “Chantaje” 

BEST DANCE

  • Avicii ft. Rita Ora – “Lonely Together” [winner]
  • Calvin Harris & Dua Lipa – “One Kiss” 
  • The Chainsmokers – “Everybody Hates Me” 
  • David Guetta & Sia – “Flames”
  • Marshmello ft. Khalid – “Silence”
  • Zedd & Liam Payne – “Get Low (Street Video)” 

BEST ROCK

  • Fall Out Boy – “Champion”
  • Foo Fighters – “The Sky Is A Neighborhood” 
  • Imagine Dragons – “Whatever It Takes” [winner]
  • Linkin Park – “One More Light” 
  • Panic! At The Disco – “Say Amen (Saturday Night)” 
  • Thirty Seconds to Mars – “Walk On Water” 

VIDEO WITH A MESSAGE

  • Childish Gambino – “This Is America” [winner]
  • Dej Loaf and Leon Bridges – “Liberated” 
  • Drake – ‘God’s Plan”
  • Janelle Monáe – “PYNK” 
  • Jessie Reyez – “Gatekeeper” 
  • Logic ft. Alessia Cara & Khalid – “1-800-273-8255” 

PUSH ARTIST OF THE YEAR

  • JULY 2018 – Chloe x Halle – Parkwood Entertainment/Columbia Records
  • JUNE 2018 – Sigrid – Island Records
  • MAY 2018 – Lil Xan – Columbia Records
  • APRIL 2018 – Hayley Kiyoko – Atlantic Records [winner]
  • MARCH 2018 – Jessie Reyez – Island Records
  • FEBRUARY 2018 – Tee Grizzley – 300 Entertainment
  • JANUARY 2018 – Bishop Briggs – Island Records
  • DECEMBER 2017 – Grace VanderWaal – Syco Music/Columbia Records
  • NOVEMBER 2017 – Why Don’t We – Atlantic Records
  • OCTOBER 2017 – PRETTYMUCH – Syco Music/Columbia Records
  • SEPTEMBER 2017 – SZA – TDE/Aftermath/Interscope Records
  • AUGUST 2017 – Kacy Hill – Def Jam Recordings
  • JULY 2017 – Khalid – RCA Records
  • JUNE 2017 – Kyle – Atlantic Records
  • MAY 2017 – Noah Cyrus – Records

PROFESSIONAL CATEGORIES

BEST ART DIRECTION               

  • The Carters – “APES**T” – Art Direction by Jan Houlevigue [winner]
  • Childish Gambino – “This Is America” –  Art Direction by Jason Kisvarday
  • J. Cole – “ATM” –   Art Direction by Miles Mullin
  • Janelle Monáe – “Make Me Feel” –  Art Direction by Pepper Nguyen
  • SZA – “The Weekend” –  Art Direction by SZA and Solange
  • Taylor Swift – “Look What You Made Me Do” –  Art Direction by Brett Hess

BEST CHOREOGRAPHY

  • Bruno Mars ft. Cardi B – “Finesse (Remix)” –  Choreography by Phil Tayag & Bruno Mars
  • Camila Cabello ft. Young Thug – “Havana” –  Choreography by Calvit Hodge and Sara Bivens
  • The Carters – “APES**T” –  Choreography by Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui and Jaquel Knight
  • Childish Gambino – “This Is America” –  Choreography by Sherrie Silver [winner]
  • Dua Lipa – “IDGAF” –  Choreography by Marion Motin
  • Justin Timberlake – “Filthy” –  Choreography by Marty Kudelka, AJ Harpold, Tracy Phillips, and Ivan Koumaev

BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY

  • Alessia Cara – “Growing Pains” – Cinematography by Pau Castejón
  • Ariana Grande – “No Tears Left to Cry” –  Cinematography by Scott Cunningham
  • The Carters – “APES**T” –  Cinematography by Benoit Debie [winner]
  • Childish Gambino – “This Is America” –  Cinematography by Larkin Seiple
  • Eminem ft. Ed Sheeran – “River” – Cinematography by Frank Mobilio & Patrick Meller
  • Shawn Mendes – “In My Blood” – Cinematography by Jonathan Sela

BEST DIRECTION

  • The Carters – “APES**T” –  Directed by Ricky Saiz
  • Childish Gambino – “This Is America” –  Directed by Hiro Murai [winner]
  • Drake – “God's Plan” –  Directed by Karena Evans
  • Ed Sheeran – “Perfect” –  Directed by Jason Koenig
  • Justin Timberlake ft. Chris Stapleton – “Say Something” –  Directed by Arturo Perez Jr.
  • Shawn Mendes – “In My Blood” – Directed by Jay Martin

BEST EDITING

  • Bruno Mars ft. Cardi B – “Finesse (Remix)” –  Editing by Jacquelyn London
  • The Carters – “APES**T” –  Taylor Ward and Sam Ostrove
  • Childish Gambino – “This Is America” –  Editing by Ernie Gilbert
  • Janelle Monáe – “Make Me Feel” – Editing by Deji LaRay
  • N.E.R.D & Rihanna – “Lemon” –  Editing by Taylor Ward [winner]
  • Taylor Swift – “Look What You Made Me Do” –  Editing by Chancler Haynes for Cosmo

BEST VISUAL EFFECTS

  • Ariana Grande – “No Tears Left to Cry” –  Visual Effects by Vidal and Loris Paillier for Buf
  • Avicii ft. Rita Ora – “Lonely Together” –  Visual Effects by KPP
  • Eminem ft. Beyoncé – “Walk On Water” –  Visual Effects Supervisor Rich Lee for Drive Studios
  • Kendrick Lamar & SZA – “All The Stars” –  Visual Effects by Loris Paillier for BUF Paris [winner]
  • Maroon 5 – “Wait” – Visual Effects by TIMBER
  • Taylor Swift – “Look What You Made Me Do” – Visual Effects by Ingenuity Studios

UK MVA Submission Deadline - August 7

The submission for the annual UK Music Video Awards is August 7, 2018.

The UKMVAs will be celebrating its 10 th anniversary when it returns to London’s iconic Roundhouse on Thursday, October 25, bestowing honors on the best work and greatest achievements in music videos, live films and interactive works, from all genres and territories (including the U.S.)

Submission and ticket information can be found at www.ukmva.com.

Blindspotting Movie Opening (Carlos Lopez Estrada, dir.)

Longtime music video director Carlos Lopez Estrada makes his big screen directorial debut with Blindspotting, starring Daveed Diggs from the hip-hop group Clipping.

Lopez Estrada and Diggs have collaborated on many previous videos, including "True Believer," "Shooter" and "Air Em Out."

Blindspotting is currently playing in select cities, incuding NYC and L.A.

2018 MTV VMA NOMINEES

It's that time again. Nominations for the 2018 MTV VMAs have been announced! All categories — except for the professional slate — are voted on by the public, so clicky clicky if you want to have a say about the winners.

The VMAs are schedule for August 20 from NYC's famed Radio City Music Hall.

Nominees are as follows... 

VIDEO OF THE YEAR

  • Ariana Grande – “No Tears Left to Cry” 
  • Bruno Mars ft. Cardi B – “Finesse (Remix)”
  • Camila Cabello ft. Young Thug – “Havana” 
  • The Carters – “APES**T” 
  • Childish Gambino – “This Is America” 
  • Drake – “God's Plan” 

ARTIST OF THE YEAR

  • Ariana Grande
  • Bruno Mars
  • Camila Cabello
  • Cardi B
  • Drake
  • Post Malone

SONG OF THE YEAR

  • Bruno Mars ft. Cardi B – “Finesse (Remix)”
  • Camila Cabello ft. Young Thug – “Havana” 
  • Drake – “God's Plan” 
  • Dua Lipa – “New Rules”
  • Ed Sheeran – “Perfect” 
  • Post Malone ft. 21 Savage – “rockstar”

BEST NEW ARTIST (Presented by Taco Bell®)

  • Bazzi
  • Cardi B
  • Chloe x Halle
  • Hayley Kiyoko
  • Lil Pump
  • Lil Uzi Vert

BEST COLLABORATION

  • Bebe Rexha ft. Florida Georgia Line – “Meant to Be”
  • Bruno Mars ft. Cardi B – “Finesse (Remix)” 
  • The Carters – “APES**T”
  • Jennifer Lopez ft. DJ Khaled & Cardi B – “Dinero”
  • Logic ft. Alessia Cara & Khalid – “1-800-273-8255”
  • N.E.R.D & Rihanna – “Lemon”

BEST POP

  • Ariana Grande – “No Tears Left to Cry” 
  • Camila Cabello ft. Young Thug – “Havana”
  • Demi Lovato – “Sorry Not Sorry”
  • Ed Sheeran – “Perfect”
  • P!nk – “What About Us” 
  • Shawn Mendes – “In My Blood”

BEST HIP HOP

  • Cardi B ft. 21 Savage – “Bartier Cardi” 
  • The Carters – “APES**T”
  • Drake – “God's Plan” 
  • J. Cole – “ATM” 
  • Migos ft. Drake – “Walk It Talk It” 
  • Nicki Minaj – “Chun-Li” 

BEST LATIN

  • Daddy Yankee – “Dura” 
  • J Balvin, Willy William – “Mi Gente”
  • Jennifer Lopez ft. DJ Khaled & Cardi B – “Dinero” 
  • Luis Fonsi, Demi Lovato – “Échame La Culpa” 
  • Maluma – “Felices los 4” 
  • Shakira ft. Maluma – “Chantaje” 

BEST DANCE

  • Avicii ft. Rita Ora – “Lonely Together” 
  • Calvin Harris & Dua Lipa – “One Kiss” 
  • The Chainsmokers – “Everybody Hates Me” 
  • David Guetta & Sia – “Flames”
  • Marshmello ft. Khalid – “Silence”
  • Zedd & Liam Payne – “Get Low (Street Video)” 

BEST ROCK

  • Fall Out Boy – “Champion”
  • Foo Fighters – “The Sky Is A Neighborhood” 
  • Imagine Dragons – “Whatever It Takes” 
  • Linkin Park – “One More Light” 
  • Panic! At The Disco – “Say Amen (Saturday Night)” 
  • Thirty Seconds to Mars – “Walk On Water” 

VIDEO WITH A MESSAGE

  • Childish Gambino – “This Is America” 
  • Dej Loaf and Leon Bridges – “Liberated” 
  • Drake – ‘God’s Plan”
  • Janelle Monáe – “PYNK” 
  • Jessie Reyez – “Gatekeeper” 
  • Logic ft. Alessia Cara & Khalid – “1-800-273-8255” 

PUSH ARTIST OF THE YEAR

  • JULY 2018 – Chloe x Halle – Parkwood Entertainment/Columbia Records
  • JUNE 2018 – Sigrid – Island Records
  • MAY 2018 – Lil Xan – Columbia Records
  • APRIL 2018 – Hayley Kiyoko – Atlantic Records
  • MARCH 2018 – Jessie Reyez – Island Records
  • FEBRUARY 2018 – Tee Grizzley – 300 Entertainment
  • JANUARY 2018 – Bishop Briggs – Island Records
  • DECEMBER 2017 – Grace VanderWaal – Syco Music/Columbia Records
  • NOVEMBER 2017 – Why Don’t We – Atlantic Records
  • OCTOBER 2017 – PRETTYMUCH – Syco Music/Columbia Records
  • SEPTEMBER 2017 – SZA – TDE/Aftermath/Interscope Records
  • AUGUST 2017 – Kacy Hill – Def Jam Recordings
  • JULY 2017 – Khalid – RCA Records
  • JUNE 2017 – Kyle – Atlantic Records
  • MAY 2017 – Noah Cyrus – Records

PROFESSIONAL CATEGORIES

BEST ART DIRECTION               

  • The Carters – “APES**T” – Art Direction by Jan Houlevigue
  • Childish Gambino – “This Is America” –  Art Direction by Jason Kisvarday
  • J. Cole – “ATM” –   Art Direction by Miles Mullin
  • Janelle Monáe – “Make Me Feel” –  Art Direction by Pepper Nguyen
  • SZA – “The Weekend” –  Art Direction by SZA and Solange
  • Taylor Swift – “Look What You Made Me Do” –  Art Direction by Brett Hess

BEST CHOREOGRAPHY

  • Bruno Mars ft. Cardi B – “Finesse (Remix)” –  Choreography by Phil Tayag & Bruno Mars
  • Camila Cabello ft. Young Thug – “Havana” –  Choreography by Calvit Hodge and Sara Bivens
  • The Carters – “APES**T” –  Choreography by Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui and Jaquel Knight
  • Childish Gambino – “This Is America” –  Choreography by Sherrie Silver
  • Dua Lipa – “IDGAF” –  Choreography by Marion Motin
  • Justin Timberlake – “Filthy” –  Choreography by Marty Kudelka, AJ Harpold, Tracy Phillips, and Ivan Koumaev

BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY

  • Alessia Cara – “Growing Pains” – Cinematography by Pau Castejón
  • Ariana Grande – “No Tears Left to Cry” –  Cinematography by Scott Cunningham
  • The Carters – “APES**T” –  Cinematography by Benoit Debie
  • Childish Gambino – “This Is America” –  Cinematography by Larkin Seiple
  • Eminem ft. Ed Sheeran – “River” – Cinematography by Frank Mobilio & Patrick Meller
  • Shawn Mendes – “In My Blood” – Cinematography by Jonathan Sela

BEST DIRECTION

  • The Carters – “APES**T” –  Directed by Ricky Saiz
  • Childish Gambino – “This Is America” –  Directed by Hiro Murai
  • Drake – “God's Plan” –  Directed by Karena Evans
  • Ed Sheeran – “Perfect” –  Directed by Jason Koenig
  • Justin Timberlake ft. Chris Stapleton – “Say Something” –  Directed by Arturo Perez Jr.
  • Shawn Mendes – “In My Blood” – Directed by Jay Martin

BEST EDITING

  • Bruno Mars ft. Cardi B – “Finesse (Remix)” –  Editing by Jacquelyn London
  • The Carters – “APES**T” –  Taylor Ward and Sam Ostrove
  • Childish Gambino – “This Is America” –  Editing by Ernie Gilbert
  • Janelle Monáe – “Make Me Feel” – Editing by Deji LaRay
  • N.E.R.D & Rihanna – “Lemon” –  Editing by Taylor Ward
  • Taylor Swift – “Look What You Made Me Do” –  Editing by Chancler Haynes for Cosmo

BEST VISUAL EFFECTS

  • Ariana Grande – “No Tears Left to Cry” –  Visual Effects by Vidal and Loris Paillier for Buf
  • Avicii ft. Rita Ora – “Lonely Together” –  Visual Effects by KPP
  • Eminem ft. Beyoncé – “Walk On Water” –  Visual Effects Supervisor Rich Lee for Drive Studios
  • Kendrick Lamar & SZA – “All The Stars” –  Visual Effects by Loris Paillier for BUF Paris
  • Maroon 5 – “Wait” – Visual Effects by TIMBER
  • Taylor Swift – “Look What You Made Me Do” – Visual Effects by Ingenuity Studios