X
From June 12 to 14, Berlin once again became the epicenter of global music video innovation as the Berlin Music Video Awards 2025 took over the city. Bigger and bolder than ever, this year’s edition welcomed creatives from all corners of the world – filmmakers, musicians, directors, performers, and visual artists from the USA, China, Japan, Mongolia, Hungary, and beyond – all gathering to celebrate the art of the music video.The festival featured 17 diverse nomination categories, ranging from Best Experimental to Best Narrative, Most Bizarre to Best Performer, showcasing an impressive spectrum of visual storytelling. Each day concluded with screenings of five categories, capped by the crown jewel of the festival: the announcement of the Best Music Video of BMVA.
A standout win of the first day was Cero Ismael’s “DRIVING AROUND LOOKING FOR UNKNOWN,” which secured first place in the Best Director category.
Unexpectedly for all, the video also secured the main award of the Best Music Video, taking home a prize of 6000€. This surreal and visually poetic video captivated the audience with its fusion of eccentric characters and a world that felt at once futuristic and rooted in history.
The jury committee evaluating the video was also blown away by the creative input of the creators. Juror Justin Izumi commented, “I have not seen anything like this before… this visuality is so unique. The director blends strong storytelling and performance parts so smoothly – it’s in a class of its own for inventiveness”. Zoran Bihac praised it for its creativity and execution, while Frank Hoffmann called it a “crazy trip” and “ace” despite admitting, “I didn’t get it really – but who cares, it’s a music video!”.
It wasn’t the first nomination of Cero Ismael but thanks to the directors Simon Becks and Folkert Verdoorn, this time his video took the first place.
Best Animation
Coldplay – feelslikeimfallinginlove | RAMAN DJAFARI
Best Performer
Dogshow – JellyKet | ROSIE TERRY TOOGOOD
Best VFX
QUEBONAFIDE – FUTURAMA 3 | ANDRZEJ DRAGAN, PATRYK GADASZEWSKI, PWEE3000
Best Cinematography
Disclosure – She’s Gone, Dance On | JEFF BIERMAN
Best Art Director
WHAT IF I TOLD YOU TO – Wax Wings, Miha, Lucille Croft | WAX WINGS
On the second day, it was the Best Low Budget category that mesmerized both the jury and audience. Corvad’s “DIVE,” coming from Montenegro, took home the top prize with a hypnotic, dystopian narrative set in submerged, post-human environments filled with mechanical creatures and symbolic rebirth.
The audience erupted in cheers, with the artist visibly emotional on stage, overwhelmed by the reception. In a heartfelt moment, Corvad expressed gratitude for the platform BMVA provided, proving the festival’s point that prove that creativity doesn’t need to be expensive – it just needs vision, once again.
The second place in this category was awarded to Dornika’s “Bush,” a defiant and liberating celebration of queer identity and non-conforming beauty standards. In an interview with BMVA, Dornika revealed, “This was the biggest production I’ve had on a music video, with over 30 people in the crew and cast!” Speaking about her competition, she added, “I think we do [have a good chance of winning], because Bush, even with the minuscule budget, tells the story of loving your body hair and everything outside of white Western beauty norms through the heart and soul of the creative queer community of Berlin.” Followed up on the topic of bold discoveries and self-expression, the day welcomed the Event Station AI with their loved AI photobooth.
Best Editor
FKA twigs – Eusexua | CHARLIE VON ROTBERG
Most Bizarre
Witch Club Satan – Fresh Blood, Fresh Pussy | STIAN ANDERSEN
Best Experimental
Mola Oddity – Half a Sadday Saving Time | LAURENT NATHAN GREY + BAKU HASHIMOTO
Most Trashy
Tommy Cash – UNTZ UNTZ | ALINA PASOK & TOMMY CASH
Best AI
Right Angle | JORDAN LE GALEZE
Best Low Budget
Corvad – DIVE | SOLOMON
The third day highlighted the Best Art Director category, and the award went to “WHAT IF I TOLD YOU TO” by WAX WINGS, MIHA, and LUCILLE CROFT.
The video impressed with its futuristic styling, intricate costumes, and complex set designs that played with both opulence and decay. The attention to detail in makeup and prop composition created a cinematic world that felt intensely curated and visionary.
The artists were visibly thrilled when receiving the trophy, a work of art itself. Forged in fire three times and painted gold, the trophy features an antenna-like structure symbolizing the Berlin TV tower – reimagined to reflect the Berlin Music Video Awards’ spirit of originality and offbeat brilliance.
The Best Music Video winner of the BMVA
Cero Ismael – DRIVING AROUND LOOKING FOR UNKNOWN | FOLKERT VERDOORN & SIMON BECKS
Watch the interview with the big winner of the Best Video category here:
Best Narrative
Patience (Sabali) – DJ Snake x Amadou et Mariam
Best Director
Cero Ismael – DRIVING AROUND LOOKING FOR UNKNOWN | FOLKERT VERDOORN & SIMON BECKS
Best Concept
Show Me the Sky – Tommy Holohan & Megra | WILL WIGHTMAN
Best Song
Soul Mantra – Magnet Brain | ROMA SHAGLANOV
Best Production Company
Ocurens
In addition to the main nominations, BMVA honored over 250 creators in its Silver Screenings – a segment designed to spotlight innovative videos that pushed boundaries despite not making it to the top 17 categories. This initiative expanded the festival’s reach, drawing in even more creators, audiences, and collaborators.
At its heart, BMVA remains a true face-to-face festival, and this year, the networking opportunities were unparalleled. The Faxe beer provided by one of the festival sponsors served as a helper in the networking game, as it’s widely known in the creative scene that the awards are the place to find the best production companies, directors, musicians, and upcoming talent. Adding to the festival’s unique vibe, Einhorn contributed with a fun and thoughtful selection of condoms, stickers, and tampons, essentials that were available throughout the event and perfectly in tune with BMVA’s inclusive and playful spirit. With around 15 cameras rolling from within the official team alone, the festival guarantees visibility and documentation for all involved. Attendees arrive in striking looks, following the dress code, whether it’s “kinky” or “elegant” – not just for the red carpet, but because they know BMVA is the perfect platform to be seen, discovered, and remembered.This year also saw the introduction of multiple networking boosters. All three days featured the Elevator Pitch sessions – brief, high-energy meetings where attendees pitched their concepts and visions to one another. The format encouraged spontaneous partnerships and led to upcoming collaborations that span countries and disciplines. Recognizing the valuable networking opportunities the event offers, guests traveled from far. For instance, Korra Obidi – artist and singer, mentions travelling to Berlin from LA for networking opportunities, despite her video being rejected from the nominations.
On the first 2 days, the festival hosted the popular Networking Twister game. Nominees and Silver Screening participants – such as Eva Habermann, the artist-director behind the “Lioness” music video, and Anthony Russell, nominated in the Best AI category for “MAKE ME LOVE YOU”, Balazs Budavari, director responsible for the production of the “UNTZ UNTZ” winning video by Tommy Cash – took part in this unconventional icebreaker, leading to many laughs and follow-up conversations that are already turning into professional ventures. Another highlight in the festival’s networking arsenal was the pool interviews – a relaxed and sunny format that brought artists and audiences together at the edge of the venue’s outdoor pool. With Faxe beers in hand and music echoing in the background, featured guests like Lena Quist, Magnet Brain, Elea Ha Minh Tay, Dornika, and many more gave candid interviews given by the pool discussing their projects, inspirations, and festival experiences. These sessions added a unique layer of authenticity to the festival’s vibe and created even more face-to-face moments where spontaneous collaborations were born.
Performance remains a key part of BMVA’s soul, and each day featured a curated lineup of acts that electrified the crowd. With diverse performances, DJ sets, and festivities, the event was filled with unforgettable moments and impressions.
As the curtain falls on the Berlin Music Video Awards 2025, one thing is clear: by giving creatives genuine opportunities to connect, collaborate, and celebrate each other’s work, the festival continues to grow not just in size but in creative excellence. With even more ideas and formats in the works, next year’s edition promises to be even more dynamic, daring, and unforgettable.
X
Stay connected with HENNESY.cc
Since 2002 © HENNESY.cc Premium Entertainment – Alle Rechte vorbehalten
