Little Simz, Dua Lipa, Celeste, Joy Crookes, James Blake, Kano, Berwyn, Pa Salieu, Bicep and Wolf Alice are among the artists notching up multiple nominations for their music videos and film projects at this year’s UK Music Video Awards, in the shortlists announced on 29th September. International artists Lil Nas X, Megan Thee Stallion, Beyoncé, The Weeknd, Doja Cat, Skrillex, Duck Sauce and Salvatore Ganacci also feature with multiple nominations in this year’s list.
The UK Music Video Awards, the premier global awards programme for music video creativity, returns to London’s Roundhouse on November 4th for a fully live celebration of the past year’s crop of music videos and music films in what promises to be a big night for the music filmmaking industry.
Little Simz leads the nominations with five nods for her videos, three for Introvert and two for Woman. The collaboration of Skrillex, Starrah and Four Tet wins four nominations for their video for Butterflies, followed closely, in a strong year for electronic artists, by Bicep, Duck Sauce and Salvatore Ganacci with three nominations apiece.
More UK success comes in the form of Dua Lipa with three nominations - for her videos Love Again, and Fever (with Angele), as well as the Studio 2054 livestream – alongside Kano’s triple-nominated Teardrops and Joy Crookes’ three mentions for Feet Don’t Fail Me Now. Wolf Alice notch up their 3 nominations for both live and narrative music videos. Their tallies are matched by the boundary-pushing Lil Nas X (Montero (Call Me By Your Name) and Industry Baby) and Megan Thee Stallion for Thot Shit.
As the pandemic continued to pose challenges for artists and production, filmmakers demonstrated their resilience and creativity with this year’s bounty of music videos, and the 2021 shortlists see a plethora of burgeoning directing talent making their debut among the nominations, as well as honouring the skills displayed in numerous film departments, including Cinematography, Production Design, Editing and VFX.
French director Aube Perrie, leads the pack with five nominations overall, for videos for Megan Thee Stallion, MK, and a place on the Best New Director shortlist. US director Christian Breslauer, makes his first appearance in the shortlists with four nominations. British directors Ben Strebel (Skrillex) and Brock Neal-Roberts (Sam Fender, Jeshi, Eli Brown) also have four nominations apiece.
Brock Neal-Roberts is also nominated for the first time in the Best Director shortlist, joining KID. Studio, also nominated for videos for Disclosure and Bryon Tiller, Arnaud Bresson (Beabadoobee), Dave Meyers (Ed Sheeran) and Tanu Muino (Lil Nas X, Normani ft Cardi B), as well as prolific British director KC Locke who wins additional nominations for his videos for Aitch and Little Mix.
UK-based filmmaking talent with multiple nominations includes previous Pop Newcomer Video winner Lucrecia Taormina (Bree Runway, Stephen Wilson ft Elton John) who this year wins a nomination for Best New Director. Joining her on the New Director list is British Nigerian director Femi Ladi, double-nominated for Pa Salieu ft Backroad Gee’s My Family, and Jordan Hemingway who is recognised for a suite of films for Wolf Alice. They vie for the title against British duo bedroom, Spanish-born Nono, and Perrie.
For the first time at the UKMVAs, a new award for the Best Performance in a Video is designed to spotlight outstanding on-camera performances by artists, actors and dancers in music videos. The shortlist features hard-hitting performances by Kano and Berwyn, alongside comedic turns by Salvatore Ganacci, James Blake and Jerome Farrah – and celebrated actor Michael Sheen in his debut music video appearance for Kelly Lee Owens.
The UK Music Video Awards also recognises work in short form live video, special video projects and longform music film. In the Live Video category, performances by Fontaines DC, Michael Kiwanuka, Pa Salieu and Wolf Alice go head-to-head with turns by Lous and the Yakuzas and last year’s winner, The Weeknd. The Best Music Film shortlist features live streamed concerts for Andrea Bocelli, Dua Lipa, Glass Animals and Liam Gallagher alongside a theatrical collaboration between Rone and La(Horde) and the touching documentary Imogen.
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 once again saw entries from over 30 different territories. Tickets for the awards show at London’s Roundhouse on November 4th are on sale now at www.ukmva.com.
The nominations are:
Best Pop Video – UK
- Joy Crookes - Feet Don't Fail Me Now
- Arlo Parks - Hope
- Mabel - Let Them Know
- Dua Lipa - Love Again
- Maisie Peters - Psycho
- Little Mix - Sweet Melody
Best R&B/Soul Video - UK
- Samm Henshaw - All Good
- Disclosure - Birthday
- Jorja Smith ft Shaybo - Bussdown
- Tendai - Not Around
- Wesley Joseph ft Jorja Smith - Patience
- Celeste - Tonight Tonight
Best Dance/Electronic Video – UK
- Good Boys & Imanbek - Goodbye
- Jungle - Keep Moving
- Public Service Broadcasting ft EERA - People, Let's Dance
- Rudimental x Skream - So Sorry
- Hot Chip, Jarvis Cocker - Straight To The Morning
- Eli Brown – Trouble
Best Rock Video – UK
- Sam Fender - 17 Going Under
- Doves - Broken Eyes
- Frank Carter & The Rattlesnakes ft Lynks - Go Get A Tattoo
- Wolf Alice - How Can I Make It OK
- Beebadoobee - Last Day On Earth
- Shame - Nigel Hitter Best
Alternative Video – UK
- Kelly Lee Owens ft John Cale - Corner of My Sky
- Paul McCartney ft Beck - Find My Way
- Texas ft Wu Tang - Hi
- Bakar - Noun
- Steven Wilson ft Elton John - Personal Shopper
- James Blake - Say What You Will
Best Hip Hop / Grime / Rap Video – UK
- Bree Runway ft Missy Elliott - ATM
- slowthai ft James Blake & Mount Kimbie - feel away
- Little Simz - Introvert
- Aitch - Learning Curve
- Pa Salieu ft Backroad Gee - My Family
- Kano – Teardrops
Best Pop Video - International
- Saweetie - (Fast) Motion
- Selena Gomez, Rauw Alejandro - Baila Conmigo
- Bella Poarch - Build a B*tch
- Lolo Zouaï - Galipette
- Lil Nas X ft Jack Harlow - Industry Baby
- Lil Nas X - Montero (Call Me By Your Name)
Best R&B/Soul Video – International
- Bryson Tiller - Always Forever
- Beyoncé, Blue Ivy, SAINt JHN, WizKid - Brown Skin Girl
- Doja Cat - Streets
- The Weeknd - Take My Breath
- Witch Prophet - Tesfay
- Normani x Cardi B - Wild Side
Best Dance/Electronic Video – International
- Skrillex, Starrah & Four Tet - Butterflies
- MK - Chemical
- Salvatore Ganacci - Fight Dirty
- Rysy - Kilo
- Duck Sauce - Mesmerize Salvatore
- Ganacci - Step-Grandma
Best Rock Video – International
- Hedgehog - Bat
- Biting Elbows - Boy Is Dead
- The Academic - Kids (Don't End Up Like Me)
- The Parrots, C Tangana - Maldito
- Space Chaser - Remnants of Technology
- Trash Talk - Something Wicked
Best Alternative Video – International
- Eels - Are We Alright Again
- BadBadNotGood - Beside
- April Cuco - Forevermore
- Phoebe Bridgers - I Know The End
- MCHT - Unknown World
- Sansara - We will become better
Best Hip Hop / Grime / Rap Video – International
- Vladimir Cauchemar - Brrr
- Tyler, The Creator - Corso
- Pharrell ft Jay-Z - Entrepreneur (Official Video)
- Travis Scott ft Young Thug & MIA - Franchise
- Tommy Cash - Racked
- Megan Thee Stallion - Thot Shit
Best Pop Video – Newcomer
- Drew Sycamore - 45 Fahrenheit Girl
- Elsa y Elmar - Corazones Negros
- Nick Wilson - Lead Me To The Water
- Between Friends - Lonely
- Terno Rei - Medo
- YMA - White Peacock
Best R&B/Soul Video – Newcomer
- Odeal - 24/48
- Preditah ft WTSRN - Distant Memory
- Mykki Blanco - Free Ride
- Bamao Yendé & Le Diouck - Marvin Gueye
- Mansur Brown - My Prayer
- Eddy Luna - Still Breathing
Best Dance/Electronic Video – Newcomer
- Welshy - All For You Fred Again.. - Dermot (See Yourself In My Eyes)
- Jimothy Lacoste - Describe My Life
- Not Waving ft Marie Davidson - Hold on
- Modeselektor - Mean Friend
- Elderbrook - Why Do We Shake In The Cold
Best Rock Video – Newcomer
- The Bluestocking - Never Ready
- TV Priest - Press Gang
- Middle Kids - R U 4 Me?
- Dry Cleaning - Scratchcard Lanyard
- El Columpio Asesino - Sirenas de Mediodía
- Jeremy Ivey - Someone Else's Problem
Best Alternative Video – Newcomer
- Tiberius B - Big Deal
- Tycho Jones - Don't Be Afraid
- Califato ¾ - Fandangô de carmen porter
- Memorial - Hero's Death (cover)
- Audio Books - Lalala It's The Good Life
- Lava La Rue – Magpie
Best Hip Hop / Grime / Rap Video – Newcomer
- KAM-BU x Knucks - Call Me Back
- Kaydy Cain - Hollywood
- Jeshi - Look Like Trouble
- Ichon ft Yseult - Mélange
- Homeboy Sandman - Monument
- ENNY ft Amia Brave - Peng Black Girls
Best Performance in a Video
- Jerome Farah - Concrete Jungle Fever
- Kelly Lee Owens ft John Cale - Corner of My Sky
- Berwyn - I'd Rather Die Than Be Deported
- James Blake - Say What You Will
- Salvatore Ganacci - Step-Grandma
- Kano - Teardrops
Best Production Design in a Video
- Rag N Bone Man - All You Ever Wanted
- Disclosure, Kehlani, Syd - Birthday
- London Grammar - Lose Your Head
- DJ Snake & Selena Gomez - Selfish Love
- Celeste - Tonight Tonight
- Loyle Carner - Yesterday
Best Choreography in a Video
- FKA twigs, Headie One, Fred again.. - Don't Judge Me
- Purple Disco Machine ft Moss Kena & The Knocks - Fireworks
- Lil Nas X ft Jack Harlow - Industry Baby
- Little Simz - introvert
- Black Midi - John L
- S+C+A+R+R - Never Give Up
Best Wardrobe Styling in a Video in association with i-D
- Beyoncé, Blue Ivy, SAINt JHN, WizKid - Brown Skin Girl
- Priya Ragu - Chicken Lemon Rice
- Joy Crookes - Feet Don't Fail Me Now
- Trouble Wanted - Lonely Cowgirl
- Tommy Cash - Racked
- Little Simz ft Cleo Sol – Woman
Best Hair & Make-up in a Video in association with Loop Talent
- Biting Elbows - Boy Is Dead
- Anaiis ft Topaz Jones - Chuu
- Ashnikko - Deal With It
- Joy Crookes - Feet Don't Fail Me Now
- Rachel Chinouriri - Plain Jane
- Little Simz ft Cleo Sol - Woman
Best Cinematography in a Video in association with Panalux
- Skrillex, Starrah & Four Tet - Butterflies
- Califato ¾ - Fandangô de carmen porter
- Simon Leoza - La Nuée
- Pa Salieu ft Backroad Gee - My Family
- Bicep ft Clara La San - Saku
- MCHT - Unknown World
Best Colour Grading in a Video in association with CHEAT
- Jerome Farah - Concrete Jungle Fever
- Bastille - Distorted Light Beam
- Dua Lipa ft Angele - Fever
- Eli Brown - In Trouble Now
- The Academic - Kids (Don't End Up Like Me)
- Megan Thee Stallion - Thot Shit
Best Editing in a Video in association with Homespun
- Skrillex, Starrah & Four Tet - Butterflies
- Little Simz - Introvert
- Duck Sauce - Mesmerize
- Bicep ft Clara La San - Saku
- Megan Thee Stallion - Thot Shit
- Enfant Sauvage - Time to Fall
Best Animation in a Video
- Easy Life - A Message To Myself
- L'Impératrice - Hématome
- Duck Sauce - Mesmerize
- Squid - Pamphlets
- Iron Maiden - The Writing on The Wall
- Run The Jewels - Walking In The Snow
Best Visual Effects in a Video
- Ed Sheeran - Bad Habits
- Belly and The Weeknd and Young Thug - Better Believe
- Skrillex ft Starrah and Four Tet - Butterflies
- Darius ft Duñe - Feels Right
- Fuel Fandango - Mi huella
- Bicep ft Clara La San - Saku
Best Live Video
- Lous And The Yakuza - Amigo (Live From The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon)
- Pa Salieu - Frontline (live on Jimmy Fallon)
- Fontaines DC - Hero's Death (Jimmy Fallon)
- Wolf Alice - Lipstick On The Glass
- The Weeknd - Save Your Tears
- Michael Kiwanuka - Solid Ground (Live at the V&A)
Best Special Video Project
- Berwyn - Berwyn Video Series
- Wolf Alice - Blue Weekend
- Topaz Jones - Don’t Go Tellin’ Your Momma
- Sam Dew - Moonlit Fools
- Olivia Rodrigo - Sour
- Prom Kano – Teardrops
Best Music Film
- Andrea Bocelli & Guests - Believe in Christmas
- Liam Gallagher - Down By The River Thames
- Glass Animals - Glass Animals: Live in the Internet
- Imogen Rone & (LA)HORDE - Room With a View
- Dua Lipa - Studio 2054
Best Director in association with Electric Theatre Collective
- Arnaud Bresson
- Brock Neal-Roberts
- Dave Meyers
- KC Locke KID. Studio
- Tanu Muino
Best New Director in association with Time Based Arts
- Aube Perrie
- bedroom
- Femi Ladi
- Jordan Hemingway
- Lucrecia Taormina Nono
Best Producer in association with WPA UK
- Elizabeth Doonan
- Ersan Beskardes
- Joseph J Goldman
- Maurizio Von Trapp
- Mayling Wong
- Precious Mahaga
Best Agent
- Alexa Haywood (Free Agent)
- Claire Stubbs (Mouthpiece)
- Estere Sulca (WPA)
- Lee Fairweather (COMPULSORY)
- Sam Davey (OB Management)
- Sarah Boardman (HANDS LDN)
Best Commissioner
- Daniel Millar
- Elena Argiros
- Kat Cattaneo
- Kim Jarrett
- Marco Grey
- Sam Seager
Best Production Company
- Agile Films
- CANADA
- London Alley
- Object & Animal
- Pulse Films
- Somesuch
Best Post Production Company in association with Studio RM
- CHEAT
- Electric Theatre Collective
- Ingenuity Studios
- MPC
- Stitch/Homespun
- TRIM