BERLIN MUSIC VIDEO AWARDS 2026: THE WINNERS

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Ed Sheeran Didn’t Win. These Artists Did.

The Berlin Music Video Awards 2026 rewarded bold ideas, unexpected talent and videos nobody could have predicted would take home the trophies.

Every year, the Berlin Music Video Awards attracts major artists, established directors and internationally recognised names. Yet when the final trophies were handed out at BMVA 2026, many of the festival’s biggest stories came from artists who arrived without celebrity status, major label momentum or millions of followers.

While many attendees arrived expecting the biggest stars to dominate the winners‘ list, the final results quickly challenged those assumptions.

One of the defining themes of this year’s edition was the willingness of the jury to look beyond popularity. Winning a Berlin Music Video Award has never been about who has the largest audience. It is about who created the most compelling work.

That philosophy was visible across multiple categories, where lesser-known artists competed directly against globally recognised names and emerged victorious.

This year’s results were particularly striking because many of the winners triumphed in categories filled with internationally celebrated artists. In Best Editor alone, Belaria’s *Losing Control* prevailed over nominees including LISA, Doja Cat, RAYE and Bad Gyal. In Best Narrative, Weval and KILIMANJARO outperformed artists such as A$AP Rocky and Milo J, while Danny Brown’s “Starburst” won Best Experimental despite competing against artists like Stromae and Paul Kalkbrenner. Meanwhile, Ed Sheeran himself left the festival without a trophy after being nominated in Best Concept.

The message was clear: at BMVA 2026, follower counts and streaming numbers mattered far less than originality, execution and creative courage. 

„One of my biggest passions about the festival is discovering new promising talents,“ says BMVA producer Aviel Silook. „Before the jury begins evaluating the videos, we always encourage them to judge the work itself rather than the popularity of the artist behind it. In the end, it’s incredibly rewarding to see unknown names break through against all the odds.“

Among the festival’s most talked-about victories was Povoa x Madge’s Beat Bunny, which not only won Best Performer but later went on to secure the festival’s highest honour, Best Music Video.

What makes the result particularly remarkable is the scale of the competition. The category included established names such as Eleni Foureira and Jack White, yet it was Beat Bunny that captured the jury’s attention. Directed by Tanner K Williams and featuring choreography by Robbie Blue, the project stood out through its fearless movement, provocative humour and complete commitment to its concept. Rather than relying on celebrity status, the video placed performance itself at the centre of the storytelling, with performers Danny Dolan, Denna Thomsen and Adam Vesperman driving its visual identity.

The project became a perfect example of what has always made BMVA unique: the ability for unexpected creative teams to outperform far bigger names through originality, execution and creative confidence.

Danny Brown’s “Starburst” captured the Best Experimental award with a video that refused to follow conventional music video formulas.

Rather than playing it safe, the project embraced unpredictability, constantly shifting between different visual worlds while maintaining a strong artistic identity throughout. In a category that included artists such as Stromae, Paul Kalkbrenner and ISOxo, the victory demonstrated that experimentation remains one of the festival’s most valued qualities.

Another notable victory came in the festival’s newest industry-focused category, Best Production Company, which was awarded to Bien Vu Productions.

While audiences often focus on artists and directors, production companies play a crucial role in bringing ambitious creative visions to life. By recognising Bien Vu Productions, the jury highlighted the collaborative infrastructure behind contemporary music video production and acknowledged the teams that make complex projects possible behind the scenes.

Belaria’s “Losing Control” earned Best Editor, delivering one of the most surprising victories of the festival.

Competing against nominees including LISA, Doja Cat, RAYE and Marina Satti, the project succeeded not through celebrity appeal but through technical excellence. The editing became an essential part of the video’s rhythm and storytelling, creating a seamless connection between image and sound that impressed the jury.

The win served as a reminder that some of the most important creative contributions happen behind the camera and in the editing suite.

For Best Narrative, Weval and KILIMANJARO’s “OPEN UP THAT DOOR” demonstrated the enduring power of storytelling.

Facing competition from internationally recognised artists such as A$AP Rocky, Milo J and KUN, the winning video distinguished itself through its clear narrative direction and emotional progression. At a time when attention spans continue to shrink, the victory proved that audiences and juries still respond to strong stories when they are executed with confidence and originality.

BMVA 2026 delivered a simple message: fame helps, but it does not guarantee a trophy.

From “Beat Bunny” to “Losing Control”, this year’s winners demonstrated that originality, execution and creative courage continue to matter. In a media landscape often dominated by algorithms, streaming numbers and social media reach, the Berlin Music Video Awards remains one of the few places where unexpected artists can still outperform the favourites.

Perhaps that is exactly why filmmakers, musicians and directors continue to submit their work. At BMVA, the biggest name is not always the winner.

The Berlin Music Video Awards 2026 may be over, but the excitement is still going strong!

Congratulations once again to all nominees and winners. Bringing together so much creativity, passion, and talent from around the world is what makes the BMVA such a unique experience year after year.

As more footage becomes available, BMVA will continue to share interviews, photo galleries, behind-the-scenes moments, and event highlights on their Instagram, so stay tuned.

Be sure to explore the Hall of Fame, with this year’s winners.