It’s not a film festival! It’s the Berlin Music Video Awards!

More than just an awards show, the BMVA is a space where creativity takes priority over mainstream appeal, giving independent and established artists alike a platform to showcase their work.

A once in a lifetime opportunity

The Berlin Music Video Awards serve as a meeting point for professionals across the music industry. Artists, directors, producers, and creatives from around the world come together to showcase their work, exchange ideas, and network. The event is open to the public, which gives attendees , from established industry figures to newcomers, a chance to interact directly. This accessibility allows for a unique exchange between international stars and emerging talents, making it a valuable platform for building connections and collaborations within the global creative community. The BMVA’s inclusive nature fosters a diverse environment where both the industry’s biggest names and the up-and-coming creators are able to engage on equal ground.

After exploring how networking brings together professionals from all walks of the industry, let’s take a closer look at some of the unforgettable visual masterpieces. 

This year’s nominees include some of the most exciting names in the industry, each bringing a unique touch to their visual storytelling. RAYE’s Genesis stands out with its cinematic aesthetic, blending intimate visuals with powerful symbolism to create an immersive experience. Victoria Monét’s On My Mama showcases her ability to merge intricate choreography with stunning visuals. Meanwhile, Disclosure’s She’s Gone brings their signature electronic sound to life through sharp, dynamic cinematography.

By nominee Raye in the Best Cinematography category
Directed by Otis Dominique

Drake’s “First Person Shooter” featuring J. Cole is nominated in the Best VFX category this year, highlighting the global reach of these two major artists. But the competition remains tough. Ziak, who won the award in 2023 for his track “Meme Pas Un Grincement” against Ed Sheeran, is also up for the honor again this year. Their victory highlights the Berlin Music Video Awards’ commitment to innovation and originality, celebrating both rising talents and established names on equal ground.

By nominees Drake and J.Cole in the Best VFX category
Directed by Gibson Hazard

You can find the full list of nominees in the link below:
https://www.berlinmva.com/news/nominees-2025

A few words from the festival’s producer

Do you think music videos still hold the same significance today as they did in the early 2000s?

Looking back at music videos from 20 years ago, videos that once impressed us, they now seem surprisingly simple. 99% of past MTV award winners wouldn’t even make it to the selection stage at the Berlin Music Video Awards. Many of those videos function more as promotional material, designed to showcase the artist’s appearance rather than push creative boundaries. While they serve their purpose and satisfy fans, they often lack artistic depth.

These types of videos still exist, but most directors and production companies don’t take great pride in them. For many, it feels more like making a commercial than crafting a piece of art. What they truly seek is artistic freedom to create something unforgettable, something that defines their legacy. I believe there’s a sweet spot where the label’s commercial needs and the director’s creative vision can align: an artist can be presented enough to please fans, but not so much that the video becomes dull for a broader audience.

There are countless creative ways to integrate band members into a video without making them its sole focus. They can act instead of just playing instruments, be animated, 3D scanned, AI-enhanced, or appear briefly rather than dominating the entire screen. Today’s creators have access to tools and technology that allow them to produce incredible videos, even on a small budget.

Categories like Best Experimental, Best Song, Best Low Budget, or Best Editor at the Berlin Music Video Awards showcase dozens of remarkable videos made with limited resources, yet each one could outshine the biggest productions from the ’90s and 2000s. We embrace this shift, and it’s one of the key reasons I founded this event. I saw this transformation coming as early as 2012, when digital video cameras became more accessible to independent creators.

Would it be a music festival without festivities?

The festivities at this year’s Berlin Music Video Awards are set to offer a unique blend of creativity and excitement. Among the highlights is tattoo artist Chopsticks and Poke, who will be offering free tattoos to all the winners, as well as making her services available to festival attendees. Known for her distinctive style, she’s built a reputation for clean, intricate designs that range from minimalistic to bold.

Adding to the buzz, Louis Cardozo, a nominee in the Best Song category for his song Fly, will also be performing at the awards. His music blends soulful melodies with modern sounds, and his performance is sure to leave an impression as he showcases the talent that has earned him a spot among this year’s nominees. With such diverse artistic contributions, the festivities promise to be as captivating as the awards themselves.

Some of the other performers at this year’s Berlin Music Video Awards include Ice Zaddy, known in the local scene for his raw, lo-fi rap and chaotic, high-energy live sets; Jedy Deady, who’s up for Best Low Budget with a darkly funny, self-produced video that’s been getting a lot of attention; Lamia, whose work blends stripped-back folk with subtle electronic textures, creating a sound that’s both intimate and slightly off-center; and Ballet Sur_Real, a Berlin-based performance group combining movement, analog visuals, and sound in a way that sits somewhere between dance and installation art.

That’s just the start; while the live performers rock the main stage, DJ sets will set the mood for the outdoor area of the festival. Names like HelloTrip, Lawya and Chris Craft are only some of the many magicians that we see on the line-up.

For more information on submissions, tickets, and event details, visit www.berlinmva.com

Media Contact: Berlin Music Video Awards | info@berlinmva.com | www.berlinmva.com