The UK Music Video Awards (UKMVA) is an annual awards ceremony established in 2008 that celebrates creativity, technical excellence, and innovation in music video production worldwide. The 2025 ceremony took place on October 30, 2025, at Magazine London, with A$AP Rocky's "Tailor Swif" winning Video of the Year. The UKMVA has grown into the most important annual event for music video production globally.
How the UK Music Video Awards Work
The UKMVA follows a jury-based selection process:
- Entries: The entry process opens in early August each year. Music videos released between August of the previous year and August of the current year are eligible. Submissions can be made by directors, production companies, labels, or commissioners.
- Jury Review: Jury panels composed of music video industry professionals (directors, producers, commissioners, craftspeople) review submissions across genre, craft, and technical categories.
- Nominations: Nominees are announced in late September. The 2025 nominations were announced on September 30, with FKA twigs leading with nine nominations.
- Final Voting: Jury members vote across multiple rounds to determine winners in each of the 39 competitive categories plus special awards.
The awards span video genre categories (divided into UK, International, and Newcomer divisions), craft and technical categories (cinematography, editing, art direction, styling, visual effects, casting), and individual recognition awards (Best New Director, Icon Award, Legend Award).
Video of the Year is the top honor. Past winners include Bjork's "Wanderlust" (2008), Kendrick Lamar's "Alright" (2015), Childish Gambino's "This Is America" (2018), Stormzy's "Vossi Bop" (2019), Charli XCX's "360" (2024), and A$AP Rocky's "Tailor Swif" (2025).
Real-World Example: UKMVA 2025
The 2025 UK Music Video Awards took place on October 30, 2025, at Magazine London, hosted by Ana Matronic for the third consecutive year. The ceremony presented 39 awards plus two special honors.
A$AP Rocky's "Tailor Swif," directed by Vania Heymann and Gal Muggia, won Video of the Year. It was the most awarded video of the ceremony, taking home five total wins. FKA twigs led all nominations with nine, including six for her video "Eusexua," and won Best Pop Video (UK) and Best Alternative Video (UK).
Sabrina Carpenter won Best Pop Video (International) for "Manchild." Wolf Alice won Best Rock Video (UK) for "Bloom Baby Bloom." OK Go won Best Rock Video (International) for "Love." Celeste won Best R&B/Soul/Jazz Video (UK) for "This Is Who I Am."
Damian Kulash of OK Go received the Icon Award. The inaugural Legend Award was presented posthumously to director and choreographer Diane Martel, recognizing her groundbreaking work in music video direction.
New categories introduced in 2025 included Best Low Budget Video and Best Casting in a Video. Jazz music videos were incorporated into the R&B/Soul categories for the first time.
Why It Matters for Independent Artists
The UKMVA is one of the few major awards ceremonies that specifically recognizes music video as an art form, separate from the music itself. This means independent artists who invest in creative video production can compete alongside major label acts on equal footing.
The Newcomer categories are designed for emerging directors and artists working with limited resources. Best New Director has launched the careers of filmmakers like Luna Carmoon, Ebeneza Blanche, and Aube Perrie. The Best Low Budget Video category, introduced in 2025, explicitly recognizes quality work produced without major financial backing.
For independent artists, a strong music video can generate significant attention. The UKMVA nomination process is open, meaning you can submit your own work through the official entry process. A nomination or win can attract attention from commissioners, labels, and booking agents.
If you are an independent artist, invest in creative video production and submit your work through the UKMVA website when entries open in August. Use our Streaming Royalty Calculator to track how video releases impact your streaming numbers.
Award Categories Explained
The UKMVA presents 39 competitive awards plus special honors. Categories are divided into genre-based video awards, craft and technical awards, and individual recognition awards.
Top Honor:
- Video of the Year: The highest award. Recognizes the single best music video of the eligibility period. Past winners include A$AP Rocky's "Tailor Swif" (2025), Charli XCX's "360" (2024), and METTE's "MAMA'S EYES" (2023).
Genre Video Categories (UK, International, and Newcomer divisions):
- Best Pop Video (UK / International / Newcomer): Recognizes pop music videos. FKA twigs won Best Pop Video (UK) in 2025 for "Eusexua." Sabrina Carpenter won Best Pop Video (International) in 2025 for "Manchild."
- Best R&B / Soul / Jazz Video (UK / International): Recognizes R&B, soul, and jazz videos. Jazz was added to this category in 2025. Celeste won (UK) in 2025 for "This Is Who I Am."
- Best Dance / Electronic Video (UK / International): Recognizes dance and electronic music videos. The Chemical Brothers won (UK) in 2024 for "Skipping Like A Stone" ft. Beck.
- Best Rock Video (UK / International): Recognizes rock music videos. Wolf Alice won (UK) in 2025 for "Bloom Baby Bloom." OK Go won (International) in 2025 for "Love."
- Best Alternative Video (UK / International): Recognizes alternative music videos. FKA twigs won (UK) in 2025 for "Striptease." RM won (International) in 2024 for "Lost!"
- Best Hip Hop / Grime / Rap Video (UK / International / Newcomer): Recognizes hip hop, grime, and rap videos. A$AP Rocky won (International) in 2025 for "Tailor Swif." AntsLive won (UK) in 2024 for "Captain Ants."
Craft and Technical Categories:
- Best Cinematography, Best Editing, Best Art Direction, Best Styling, Best Visual Effects, Best Choreography, Best Casting: Recognize individual craft contributions. New categories introduced in 2025 included Best Low Budget Video and Best Casting in a Video.
- Best Production Design: A$AP Rocky's "Tailor Swif" won in 2025.
- Best Animation: Recognizes animated music videos.
Individual and Company Awards:
- Best Director: Recognizes the top director of the year. Gabriel Moses won in 2025. Aube Perrie won in 2024.
- Best New Director: Recognizes emerging directorial talent. Luna Carmoon won in 2025. Past winners include Ebeneza Blanche and Aube Perrie.
- Best Production Company: Object & Animal won in 2025 and 2024.
- Icon Award: Honors a career of inventive music video work. Damian Kulash of OK Go won in 2025. Floria Sigismondi won in 2024. dom&nic won in 2023.
- Legend Award: Inaugurated in 2025. Presented posthumously to director and choreographer Diane Martel.
Notable Past Winners
Video of the Year Winners (2020 to 2025)
| Year | Video of the Year | Director(s) | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | "Tailor Swif" | Vania Heymann and Gal Muggia | A$AP Rocky |
| 2024 | "360" | Aidan Zamiri | Charli XCX |
| 2023 | "MAMA'S EYES" | Camille Summers-Valli | METTE |
| 2022 | "Cash In Cash Out" | Francois Rousselet | Pharrell Williams ft. 21 Savage and Tyler, The Creator |
| 2021 | "Mesmerize" | Keith Schofield | Duck Sauce |
| 2020 | "Rocket Fuel" | Sam Pilling | DJ Shadow ft. De La Soul |
2025 UKMVA Selected Winners (October 30, 2025, Magazine London)
| Category | Winner |
|---|---|
| Video of the Year | A$AP Rocky ("Tailor Swif") |
| Best Pop Video (UK) | FKA twigs ("Eusexua") |
| Best Alternative Video (UK) | FKA twigs ("Striptease") |
| Best Pop Video (International) | Sabrina Carpenter ("Manchild") |
| Best Rock Video (UK) | Wolf Alice ("Bloom Baby Bloom") |
| Best Rock Video (International) | OK Go ("Love") |
| Best R&B/Soul/Jazz Video (UK) | Celeste ("This Is Who I Am") |
| Best Hip Hop/Grime/Rap Video (International) | A$AP Rocky ("Tailor Swif") |
| Best Director | Gabriel Moses |
| Best New Director | Luna Carmoon |
| Best Production Company | Object & Animal |
| Icon Award | Damian Kulash (OK Go) |
| Legend Award | Diane Martel (posthumous) |
A$AP Rocky's "Tailor Swif" won 5 total awards, the most of any video at the 2025 ceremony. FKA twigs led all nominations with 9. The ceremony presented 39 awards plus 2 special honors.
2024 UKMVA Selected Winners (October 24, 2024, Magazine London)
| Category | Winner |
|---|---|
| Video of the Year | Charli XCX ("360") |
| Best Pop Video (UK) | Charli XCX ("360") |
| Best Director | Aube Perrie |
| Best Hip Hop/Grime/Rap Video (UK) | AntsLive ("Captain Ants") |
| Best Dance/Electronic Video (UK) | The Chemical Brothers ft. Beck ("Skipping Like A Stone") |
| Best International Rock Video | Fontaines D.C. ("Starburster") |
| Best International Alternative Video | RM ("Lost!") |
| Best Production Company | Object & Animal |
| Icon Award | Floria Sigismondi |
Charli XCX received 7 nominations in 2024, the most of any artist. AntsLive won 3 awards, the most of any artist that night.
Winning Music Videos
Below are the official music videos that won Video of the Year at recent UKMVA ceremonies.
Eligibility and Submission Info
The entry process opens in early August each year. Music videos released between August of the previous year and August of the current year are eligible. Submissions can be made by directors, production companies, labels, or commissioners.
Entries are submitted through the UKMVA website. There is an entry fee for submissions. The jury review process begins after entries close. Jury panels composed of music video industry professionals (directors, producers, commissioners, craftspeople) review submissions across genre, craft, and technical categories.
Nominees are announced in late September. The 2025 nominations were announced on September 30. Jury members vote across multiple rounds to determine winners in each of the 39 competitive categories plus special awards.
The Newcomer categories are designed for emerging directors and artists working with limited resources. The Best Low Budget Video category, introduced in 2025, explicitly recognizes quality work produced without major financial backing. Independent artists can submit their own work through the official entry process.
Related Resources
- Streaming Royalty Calculator - Track how music video releases affect streaming performance
- Target Streams Calculator - Set streaming goals tied to video release campaigns
- 21 Ways Musicians Can Earn Income - Build revenue alongside creative video strategy
- When and How to Hire a Music Manager - A manager can help coordinate video production and awards submissions
- Sync Licensing Companies - Music videos can attract sync licensing opportunities
Similar Music Awards
- BRIT Awards - The UK's biggest general music awards ceremony
- MOBO Awards - UK awards recognizing music of black origin
- MTV Video Music Awards - The US equivalent for music video awards
- NME Awards - UK music awards from NME magazine
- Ivor Novello Awards - UK awards for songwriting and composition
- Mercury Prize - UK and Irish album of the year prize
