UK Music Video Awards 2023: Nominations revealed ahead of awards ceremony on 26 October 28 Sep 2023
HARRY STYLES & METTE LEAD THE FIELD IN THE ANNUAL CELEBRATION OF GLOBAL MUSIC VIDEO CREATIVITY
It’s a tie for the top in this year’s UK Music Video Awards shortlists with 6 nominations apiece for Harry Styles, and breakthrough US artist, Mette. Styles wins 2 spots in the Best UK Pop Video category for his videos for ‘Music For a Sushi Restaurant’ and ‘Satellite’, where he’ll be attempting to fight off competition from Labrinth, Lewis Capaldi, Raye and Sam Smith. Meanwhile, newcomer to the UKMVAs, Mette (American singer, actor and dancer Mette Towley) launches herself into the spotlight with 2 videos on the Best International Pop Video list – ‘Mama’s Eyes’ and ‘Van Gogh’ – where she takes on videos by Christina Aguilera, Tove Lo, BTS star Jung Kook and Priya Ragu.
Harry Styles’ ‘Music For A Sushi Restaurant’ wins the most nominations for a single video in the 2023 shortlist with 5 mentions. Little Simz follows close behind with 4 nominations for her video ‘Gorilla’, helmed by renowned US director, Dave Meyers and is contending to retain her title for the Best UK Hip Hop/Grime/Rap Video. She faces competition in that category from AntsLive, J Hus, Jords, Loyle Carner and Stormzy. Meanwhile, US singer & rapper Audrey Nuna also notches up 4 nominations for her video, ‘Locket’, the creative brainchild of the late Valentin Petit, a Best Director nominee from 2022 who tragically died earlier this year, alongside The Blaze’s ‘Madly – The Poem’ directed by the artists, whose work has also previously been honoured at the ceremony.
Harry Styles and Little Simz head a list of British artists which includes Stormzy, James Blake, The 1975, The Chemical Brothers, Jungle, Royal Blood, Labrinth, Rudimental, Gorillaz, Jords, Hak Baker and AntsLive who have won multiple nominations for their visual projects at this year’s UK Music Video Awards, in the shortlists announced on 27th September, demonstrating that creativity in their videos remains an essential part of their art.
International artists Kendrick Lamar, Doja Cat, The Hives, Yves Tumor, The Blaze, Troye Sivan, Dominique Fils-AimeÌ and Fatoumata Diawara also receive multiple mentions alongside Mette and Audrey Nuna in this year’s list of nominations for over 30 awards, celebrating the best work in music videos in the UK and around the world, and the creative and technical talent behind them.
The winners at this year’s UKMVAs – the premier global awards programme for music video creativity – will be announced at the awards ceremony which takes place at Magazine London, a state-of-the-art events venue near The O2 in North Greenwich, on October 26th, on what is always a significant night in the calendar for the music video-making community.
In a tough year for global filmmaking, the nominations at this year’s UKMVAs reflect the enduring creativity in music video production, with both previously nominated directors and new talent breaking into the shortlist, as well as spotlighting the standout creative work in other filmmaking departments, including Cinematography, Colour grading, Production Design, Choreography, Styling, Editing, Animation and Visual Effects.
Among the directors on this year’s list, Aube Perrie, Camille Summers-Valli and Charlie di Placido score multiple mentions in the video categories. Frenchman Aube Perrie, the director behind Harry Styles’ ‘Music For a Sushi Restaurant’ and ‘Satellite’, also picks up a nomination for The Hives’ ‘Bogus Operandi’ in the Best International Rock Video category. French-Australian director Camille Summers- Valli’s collaboration with Mette sees her notch up 3 nominations in the video categories, 2 in the International Pop category and one for Best Performance in a Video. British director Charlie di Placido sees his long-term collaboration with Jungle land him 2 directing nominations for his latest set of videos for the band, one for ‘Back on 74’ in the Best Dance/Electronic Video – UK category and one for Best Special Visual Project for the visual album ‘Volcano’. All 3 are in contention for the Best Director award, up against the 2021 and 2022 winner Tanu Muino, US-based directing duo rubberband and French auteurs, The Blaze.
In the Best New Director category, AboveGround, Aidan Zamiri, Tom Emmerson, Hugh Mulhern, Kassandra Powell and Uncanny will contend for the title. In addition, young British director, Jay Green, wins 3 nominations for his work across the Newcomer categories, with videos for Kam-bu. Sans Soucis and Everyone You Know. His tally is matched by another up-and-coming British directing talent, Tyrus in the Newcomer categories with films for Artyn, Kamal and Louis Culture.
This year’s shortlist for the Best Performance in a Video category, designed to spotlight outstanding on-camera performances by artists, actors and dancers in music videos, this year features mesmerizing turns by AntsLive, Bakar, Little Simz., Mette and Truman, as well as the key role for young actor Riley Jacobs in The Blaze’s video for ‘Madly – The Poem’.
The Live Video category shortlist this year features an eclectic mix of British artists, with Berwyn, Jeshi, Gerry Cinnamon, The 1975, Last Dinner Party and Young Fathers in contention for the trophy. The. Special Visual Projects category, which celebrates film projects which extend beyond the boundaries of primary music videos, includes projects by Danish trio 802 and hotly-tipped UK artist TSHA, up against heavyweights Little Simz, Gorillaz, Kendrick Lamar and Jungle.
Since its inception in 2008, the UKMVAs has grown into the leading global awards programme for music video creativity, the most important annual event in the calendar for the world of music video production. The global reach of the competition saw entries from 30 different territories. Tickets for the awards show at Magazine, London on October 26th are on sale now at www.ukmva.com
Best Pop Video – UK in association with Cinelab Film & Digital
Raye ft 070 Shake - Escapism
Lewis Capaldi - Forget Me
Sam Smith - I'm Not Here To Make Friends
Labrinth - Kill For Your Love
Harry Styles - Music For A Sushi Restaurant
Harry Styles - Satellite
Best Dance / Electronic Video - UK
Jungle - Back on 74
James Blake - Big Hammer
Rudimental, Charlotte Plank & Vibe Chemistry - Dancing Is Healing
London Grammar ft CamelPhat - Higher
The Chemical Brothers ft Halo Maud - Live Again
Riton - Sugar
Best R&B / Soul Video - UK
Joesef - Just Come Home With Me Tonight
Ezra Collective ft Kojey Radical - No Confusion
Grace Carter - Pick Your Tears Up
Ama Lou - Silence
Stormzy ft Raye - The Weekend
Jorja Smith - Try Me
Best Rock Video - UK
Shame - Fingers of Steel
Bring Me The Horizon - LosT
Elephant Kind - Love As
Royal Blood - Pull Me Through
Squid - Swing (In a Dream)
Squid - The Blades
Best Alternative Video - UK
Bakar - Alive!
Hak Baker - Doolally
Tiberius b - HHB
Young Fathers - I Saw
L.A. Priest - It's You
Kokoroko - Rapt
Best Hip Hop / Grime / Rap Video - UK
Little Simz - Gorilla
J Hus - It's Crazy
Stormzy - Mel Made Me Do it
Jords - Mobay / Stay Close
Loyle Carner - Nobody Knows (Ladas Road)
AntsLive - Number One Candidate
Best Pop Video - International
Priya Ragu - Adalam Va
Christina Aguilera - Beautiful (2022 Version)
Tove Lo - Borderline
Mette - Mama's Eyes
Jung Kook ft Latto - Seven
Mette - Van Gogh
Best Dance / Electronic Video - International
Macgray - Backbone
The Blaze - Madly - The Poem
Troye Sivan - Rush
Paul Kalkbrenner - Schwer
Salvatore Ganacci - Sexy Narkoman / Your Mother
Thom Draft - Tense
Best R&B / Soul Video - International
Kelela - Enough For Love
Steve Lacy - Helmet
SZA - Kill Bill
Dominique Fils-AimeÌ - My Mind At Ease
Amaru - Not Different
Lil Yachty - Say Something
Best Rock Video - International
Grian Chatten - All of the People
The Hives - Bogus Operandi
Stolen Nova - Glue
Cari Cari - My Grandma Says We Have No Future
Paramore - Running Out of Time
Falling In Reverse - Watch The World Burn
Best Alternative Video - International
070 Shake - Black Dress
Paris Texas - Bulletman
Yves Tumor - Echolalia Tshegue - MAIS
Dominic Fike - Mama's Boy
Son Lux - Undertow
Best Hip Hop / Grime / Rap Video - International
Doja Cat - Attention
Kendrick Lamar - Count Me Out
Benjamin Earl Turner- Headspace
Audrey Nuna - Locket
Travis Scott - Sirens
Biji - Zigidi
Best Pop Video - Newcomer
Kamal - Freeflow
Beabadoobee - Glue Song
Virgin Miri - Kill Me
Ariete - Mare di guai
Sila Lua - Rompe
Grentperez - Us Without Me
Best Dance / Electronic Video - Newcomer
DJ Seinfeld ft Confidence Man - Now U Do
Everyone You Know - Paper Aeroplanes
Riton ft Soaky Siren - Sugar
Ghost Gun - Venom
Fakear - Voyager
Mura Masa - Whenever I Want
Best R&B / Soul Video - Newcomer
George - Forever
Aaron Taylor - Have a Nice Day
Sans Soucis - I Know Your Present
Hendrix Harris - It's Not You LeÌa Sen - Luv Him
Konyikeh - Teenage Dreams
Best Rock Video - Newcomer
Heartworms - 24 Hours
Aliment - Com Espines
Stone - I Gotta Feeling
Stone - Left Right Forward
L Devine - Push It Down
The Academic - Pushing Up Daisies
Best Alternative Video - Newcomer
Anna B Savage - in|FLUX
Patrick Wolfe - Nowhere Game
Entely - Prosa
Hak Baker - Telephones 4 Eyes
Tsunaina - Tenderer
dneÌ - Traps In My Feed
Best Hip Hop / Grime / Rap Video - Newcomer
Ayrtn - 2 Da Max
Kam-bu - Eton Mess
Louis Culture - Grime
Big Heath - Let's Go
Depzman - Life Cut Short
Kibo - Mr Lamborghini Deathslide
Best Live Video
Jeshi - Bad Day at the Office (live film)
The 1975 - Being Funny In A Foreign Language (Official Live Performance)
Gerry Cinnamon - Canter (Live at Hampden Park)
Young Fathers - I Saw, Rice, Geronimo
Berwyn - Path to Satisfaction (live at Niceness)
Last Dinner Party - Sinner
Best Special Visual Project
802 - A Heavy Metal Bedtime Story
Gorillaz - Gorillaz Presents... Skinny Ape
Little Simz - No Thank You
TSHA - Sister
Jungle - Volcano
Kendrick Lamar - We Cry Together
Best Performance in a Video
Bakar - Alive!
Truman - Charley Boy
Little Simz - Gorilla
The Blaze - Madly - The Poem Mette - Mama's eyes
AntsLive - Number One Candidate
Best Production Design in a Video
Yves Tumor - Echolalia
RosaliÌa, Romeo Santos - El Pañuelo
Little Simz - Gorilla
Jords - Mobay / Stay Close
Harry Styles - Music For A Sushi Restaurant
Fatoumata Diawara ft Damon Albarn - Nsera
Best Choreography in a Video
Channel Tres - 6AM
Jungle - Back on 74
The 1975 - I'm In Love With You
Mette - Mama's Eyes
Dominique Fils-AimeÌ - My Mind At Ease
Mette - Van Gogh
Best Styling in a Video in association with i-D
Yves Tumor - Echolalia
Audrey Nuna - Locket
The Blaze - Madly - The Poem
Jords - Mobay / Stay Close
Fatoumata Diawara ft Damon Albarn - Nsera
Troye Sivan - Rush
Best Cinematography in a Video
The Hives - Bogus Operandi
Little Simz - Gorilla
Josman - Intro
The Blaze - Madly - The Poem
Harry Styles - Music For A Sushi Restaurant
AntsLive - Number One Candidate
Best Colour Grading in a Video in association with Studio RM
Rudimental, Charlotte Plank & Vibe Chemistry - Dancing Is Healing
Stolen Nova - Glue
Hendrix Harris - It's Not You
Katie Melua - Love and Money
Harry Styles - Music For A Sushi Restaurant
Royal Blood - Pull Me Through
Best Editing in a Video
Doja Cat - Attention
James Blake - Big Hammer
The Hives - Bogus Operandi
Audrey Nuna - Locket
Mette - Mama's Eyes
Harry Styles - Music For A Sushi Restaurant
Best Visual Effects in a Video
Skiifall - 2 Charming
Hak Baker - Doolally
Labrinth - Kill For Your Love
The Chemical Brothers ft Halo Maud - Live Again
Audrey Nuna - Locket
Stormzy ft Fredo - Toxic Trait
Best Animation in a Video
Hot Chip - Eleanor
Daft Punk - Infinity Repeating (2013 Demo)
des hume ft (juicelover) - onetwostep
Gorillaz - Silent Running
Ashnikko - Worms
Muse - You Make Me Feel Like It's Halloween
Best Director in association with Electric Theatre Collective
Aube Perrie
Camille Summers-Valli
Charlie Di Placido
rubberband.
Tanu Muino
The Blaze
Best New Director in association with LEAP
AboveGround
Aidan Zamiri
Hugh Mulhern
Kassandra Powell
Tom Emmerson
UNCANNY
Best Director of Photography
Adam Newport-Berra
Henry Gill
Jake Gabbay
Natasha Duursma
Nikita Kuzmenko
Spike Morris
Best Producer in association with WPA UK
Danny Herman
Elizabeth Doonan
Fred Bonham Carter
Maëva Tenneroni
Rik Green
Theo Hue Williams
Best Production Company in association with Kodak
CANADA
Friend London
Iconoclast
Object & Animal
Pulse Films
Smuggler
Best Commissioner
Erin Corrian-Alexis
Faye Purcell
John Moule
Kat Cattaneo
Kim Jarrett
Michael Lewin
Best Agent
Alexa Haywood, FreeAgent
AndreÌ Reid-McKinley, Somesuch
Claire Stubbs & Connie Meade, Mouthpiece
Lee Fairweather, Leethal Reppin
Sam Davey & Polly Millner, OB42
Sarah Boardman, Joceline Gabriel & Camille Semprez, Hands
NEWS & PRESS
Merlin and Singa Ink Partnership to Bring Thousands of Original Recordings to Karaoke
Merlin, the digital music licensing partner for the world’s leading independent labels and distributors, has partnered with Singa, the leading karaoke technology company, to make thousands of original master recordings available on the platform. This historic deal marks a major leap...more
The club is alive, as JLS joins The O2’s coveted 21 Club
The O2, the world’s most popular live entertainment arena, came alive with the sound of music over the weekend, as JLS returned to the venue for two incredible headline shows as part of their ‘The Club Is Alive: 2025 Hits...more
ESNS festival line-up complete for 40th Edition
ESNS (Eurosonic Noorderslag) announces the final 41 artists from all over Europe that will be playing at Eurosonic and Noorderslag. The music showcase festival celebrates its 40th anniversary in 2026, taking place from January 14 to 17 in Groningen. The...more
Stars join forces with creative and cultural organisations from across UK and Europe to remove barriers to touring and drive growth
Stars have joined forces with creative and cultural organisations from across the UK and Europe to remove barriers to touring, support cultural exchange and drive growth. They unveiled a major new alliance today called the Cultural Exchange Coalition (CEC). Its members...more
Wise Music Group strikes deal with GoGo Penguin
The Manchester-based trio GoGo Penguin have signed an exclusive publishing deal with Campbell Connelly & Co, part of Wise Music Group. Their music blends breakbeats, minimalist piano, strong basslines, electronica-inspired drums, and anthemic riffs, with influences from trip-hop, jazz, rock,...more
Songtools announces strategic partnership and platform integration with ONErpm’s OFFstep
SongTools, the fast-growing platform empowering music creators with one-click marketing and ad tech solutions, is proud to announce a strategic partnership and full platform integration with OFFstep, ONErpm’s proprietary artist and label platform. Through this partnership, the SongTools integration has been...more
YouTube wraps its 20th anniversary year with a new feature announcement & 2025 trends
YouTube to Unveil Annual Trending Lists & Launch New Personalised 'YouTube Recap' Feature YouTube is announcing two major end-of-year moments to close out its 20th anniversary year. YouTube Recap is the first-ever personalised feature, which launches on Wednesday 3rd December alongside...more
Apple Music Replay ‘25: A More Personal Look at Your Year in Music
Apple Music and Shazam Also Reveal Their Year-End Charts Apple Music today released the highly anticipated Replay '25 experience, bringing listeners an even more personalised and insightful journey through their year in music. With new and deeper discovery insights, Replay '25...more
IFPI convenes cross industry panel at UN Copyright Agency to examine the future of music licensing with AI
With AI licensing agreements accelerating and reshaping the music industry's relationship with generative AI, IFPI is bringing experts spanning music, AI and economics together to discuss AI training and music rights: with a focus on the report on copyright and...more
Independent music labels return a third of revenue to artists, reveals new report from ORCA
Global think tank and advocacy group, the Organization for Recorded Culture and Arts (ORCA), has released a first-of-its-kind report analysing the economic investments and social impact of nine leading independent record labels. Analysis shows these labels invested $134 million in artists...more
Industry survey reveals 97% of music professionals demand AI transparency, while half refuse AI-generated music entirely
Survey of 144 music supervisors, filmmakers, and advertisers by leading music companies found: 97% want to know if music is AI-generated, 49% will only work with human-made tracks, and cultural authenticity becomes a critical selection factor. Download the full report: https://cyanite.ai/cyanite-marmoset-mediatracks-survey/ As...more
CISAC launches new ISWC IPI Context Search to help music publishers solve metadata challenges
The International Confederation of Societies of Authors and Composers (CISAC) has launched ISWC IPI Context Search, a new API service designed to help music publishers quickly and accurately identify creator Interested Party Information (IPI) numbers, a crucial step in ensuring correct work...more
Your 2025 Delivered on Amazon Music is here: See top streaming insights from this year
See your year in music, podcasts, and audiobooks come alive in a festival-themed recap with personalized virtual festival poster. Key takeaways 2025 Delivered transforms your streaming history on Amazon Music into personalized insights. The feature also creates a virtual music festival poster with...more
Key Production Group, Europe's leading physical music and packaging agency, reveals its predictions for vinyl and physical music releases in 2026
Over recent years, there has been a clear resurgence in the joy of owning physical music. Fans continue to buy vinyl and CDs, so they can take them home, listen to them and take pleasure in owning them. This flourishing...more
Pubs, Clubs and Venues in UK Cities Slammed by Hidden Business Rates Bombshell Says NTIA
Night-time economy businesses across the UK are facing a devastating financial blow from April 2026, as government business rates reforms quietly abolish the 40% Hospitality, Leisure and Night-Time Relief (RHL) and replace it with a system that will force many...more
Inaugural Folk Album Of The Year Award Shortlist Revealed
146 album submissions received Nine albums selected by jury of performers, music and media professionals Winner revealed and nominees to perform at live finale hosted in Rochdale, Greater Manchester on 17 March 2026 The Folk Album of the Year Award has revealed its...more
International music conference FFWD (FastForward) returns to London in February 2026 for FFWD>>LDN 26
International music conference FFWD (FastForward) returns to London in February 2026 for FFWD>>LDN 26 - celebrating its community in a special 10th anniversary edition, at a brand new location. Taking over Hackney Church for the first time on Tuesday 10 February...more
MMF reveals first cohort of certified music managers
The Music Managers Forum (MMF) has announced the first cohort of managers to pass the organisation’s new Manager Certification Programme - including MMF Chair, Niamh Byrne, co-founder of Eleven Management, MMF Vice-Chair, Jill Hollywood, founder of Echo Beach Management, and...more
Major labels’ licensing deals with AI companies: ECSA calls for transparent licensing agreements that truly value the works of composers and songwriters
In light of the recent licensing deals announced by the three major labels – Universal Music Group (UMG), Warner Music Group (WMG) and Sony Music Group (SMG) – with AI companies Udio, Suno, and KLAY, the European Composer and Songwriter...more
New Leger Survey Shows Quebecers Value Choice and Affordability Over New Streaming Rules
61% of Québecers say French-language music is already easy to find on streaming services, while only 4% say regulating streaming should be a government priority. A new province-wide survey conducted by Leger – Québec’s leading independent research firm – shows that...more
Impala revamps Outstanding Contribution award, honours women who have accelerated Impala's work on EDI and sustainability
This November, IMPALA announces the expansion of its Outstanding Contribution Award as part of a revamped awards programme co-funded by the European Union. The first announcement under the new scheme recognises women who have made a significant contribution to IMPALA's work in the...more
Atlantic Screen Group Names Rupert Hollier as COO, Elevates Rosie Hill to President of Nightjar, it’s creative services and frontline publishing division
Company also unveils exclusive creative publishing partnership with 5DB Studios Leading independent multi-disciplined music and media organisation Atlantic Screen Group (ASG) today announces a significant expansion of its music publishing and sync operations, supported by a series of strategic appointments and new...more
Notting Hill Music Signs Scottish Songwriter Declan Welsh
Notting Hill Music is proud to announce the signing of acclaimed Scottish songwriter Declan Welsh (Declan Welsh and The Decadent West). Emerging from East Kilbride, Scotland, Welsh has established himself as one of the nation’s most compelling contemporary voices, earning...more
Universal Music Group UK launches art and video studio ‘Pause’
PAUSE PRODUCES PREMIUM, LIMITED-EDITION PRINTS THAT ALLOW FANS TO OWN UNIQUE MOMENTS OF VISUAL MUSIC HISTORY ANNOUNCEMENT OF PAUSE STUDIO ACCOMPANIED BY LAUNCH OF AMY WINEHOUSEYOU KNOW I’M NO GOOD COLLECTION Fans can own a single frame from Amy Winehouse’s iconic music video,...more
2025 Budget statement from AIF CEO John Rostron
"The UK's independent festival sector is one built by entrepreneurs and so we welcome The Chancellor's announcement of a consultation on how the tax system can better back business founders and investors. We look forward to seeing how this government...more
Autumn Budget: Comment from Association of Independent Music
Gee Davy, CEO at AIM, said: “We welcome the Chancellor’s clear commitment to improving conditions for workers, especially young people. But SMEs – the talent engines of the UK - including those in the hugely diverse independent music sector, risk...more
Budget Hammerblow: Chancellor Dismisses Night-Time Economy Asks Says NTIA
Statement from Michael Kill, CEO, Night Time Industries Association"This Budget is a hammer blow to an already fragile night-time economy. Its impact will be felt across every high street and town centre in the UK. With inflation now higher than...more
Oasis Live ‘25 end of tour stores to open in London & Dublin
London store will feature a visual content room showcasing highlights from the Oasis Live ‘25 global tour Product personalisation offered in-store on select days New and exclusive merchandise, a restocked adidas Originals range, gifting, vinyl and much more ...more
UK Budget - A Statement from Mark Davyd, CEO of Music Venue Trust
"This Budget is yet another episode in the long running saga of failures to seize opportunities to support Grassroots Music Venues. The Government's rhetoric on their support for this vital sector is completely undone by the reality of their business...more
Record Store Day Black Friday: Exclusive releases land in independent shops
Record Store Day’s annual Black Friday celebration returns this Friday, bringing a brand-new selection of exclusive, limited-edition vinyl titles to independent record stores across the UK. Available from 8am on Friday 28th November, this year’s collection features standout releases from Sam...more
THE HEADLINES
Daddy Yankee files lawsuit against former manager and third parties for alleged royalty scheme (see News)
EU touring: Impact of Brexit worsening, says UK Music report (see Reports)
ORCA released a report analysing the economic investments and social impact of nine leading independent record labels (see Reports)
Jorja Smith’s label requests share of royalties from ‘AI-cloned’ song (see News)
A creative nation is a thriving nation (see Opinion)
Australian report also highlights how other non-US English-speaking countries are hit by algorithms (see Reports)
AI slop: Spotify, Tunecore, and credibility (see Comment)
Warner Music signs deal with Suno, settles lawsuit (see News)
EC sends UMG its statement of objections to Downtown acquisition (see News)
20 years of Spotify — who’s winning, losing and making money? (see Features)
The future of labels: Shifting sands (see Comment)
Robert Kyncl on Udio deal: Growing the value of music for artists and songwriters (see News)
Ticket touts’ worst nightmare has finally come true (see Comment)