Executive Overview
The UK Music Video Awards (UKMVAs) has officially announced the nominations for its highly anticipated 19th annual ceremony, setting the stage for a monumental celebration of visual art, direction, and technical craftsmanship in music videos. Scheduled to take place on November 4 at London’s iconic Camden Roundhouse venue, this year’s shortlist reflects an industry undergoing rapid creative evolution, driven by boundary-pushing concepts, cross-genre collaborations, and unprecedented cinematic ambition.
Pop iconoclast Charli xcx commands the field with an astounding nine nominations, demonstrating her supreme dominance across multiple categories—from mainstream pop and cutting-edge dance to rock. Close behind are standout collaborative projects and provocative auteur-driven pieces, including Romain Gavras’s viral phenomenon "Storm" starring Yung Lean and GENER8ION, and Irish rap trio Kneecap’s cinematic triumphs from their landmark album Fenian.
As the countdown to November 4 begins, the global music video community turns its eyes toward London. The event promises not only to honor the technicians, directors, commissioners, and artists who shape modern visual culture but also to crown the ultimate winner of the prestigious Video of the Year award live on stage.
Detailed Chronology and Key Contenders
Charli xcx’s Multi-Genre Sweeps and Visual Dominance
Charli xcx’s remarkable nine-node sweep underlines a prolific and visually daring era for the artist. Eschewing categorization, her work is recognized across a diverse spectrum of genres. In the UK Pop categories, "Camera" secures a nod for Best Pop Video – UK, while her stylistic versatility is further showcased by "Residue" (featuring A.G. Cook) in Best Dance/Electronic Video – UK, and "Rock Music" in Best Rock Video – UK.
Beyond her primary artist nominations, Charli’s footprint extends deep into the technical categories. She appears prominently in the Dazed-associated Best Styling category with "SS26," and picks up further acknowledgements for colour grading, performance, and editing, cementing her status as one of contemporary music’s most influential visual collaborators.
The Viral Sensation: Gavras, Yung Lean, and GENER8ION
When GENER8ION released "Storm," starring Swedish rapper Yung Lean and directed by master of chaos Romain Gavras, it immediately seized public attention. Featuring a frantic, highly synchronized, and wildly viral choreographed dance sequence, the video has successfully translated its internet ubiquity into critical acclaim at the UKMVAs.
"Storm" dominates the nominations list with nods in key craft categories, including Best Performance, Best Casting, Best Cinematography, Best Editing, and—fittingly—Best Choreography, alongside an international nod for Best Dance/Electronic Video. The project represents a masterclass in scale, kinetic energy, and physical performance.
Kneecap’s Cinematic Reckoning
Irish rap trio Kneecap have enjoyed a landmark year, and their visual output has mirrored their cultural ascent following the release of their acclaimed album Fenian. Director Thomas James’s 13-minute epic "Irish Goodbye" (featuring Kae Tempest) has captured the imagination of the voting academy, earning five distinct nominations. These include Best Alternative Video – International, Best Performance, Best Casting, Best Special Visual Project, and Best Colour Grading (Newcomer).
Not to be outdone, their Finn Keenan-directed collaboration "Sayonara" (featuring Paul Hartnoll) secured three additional nominations, proving that the trio’s provocative, narrative-driven storytelling holds profound weight within the international video-making ecosystem.
Supporting Context & Metrics: The Anatomy of the 2025 Nominations
The 19th edition of the UKMVAs showcases a rigorous breakdown of technical and artistic achievement across UK and International markets, as well as dedicated categories for emerging talent and craft disciplines.
Fashion Meets Film: The Dazed Styling Award
Fashion remains a vital narrative vehicle for modern music videos. The Best Styling Award, presented in association with Dazed, highlights visions where wardrobe is inseparable from world-building. The nominees feature:
- ROSALÍA ft. Björk & Yves Tumor – "Berghain"
- Adéla – "KGB"
- JADE – "Church"
- Charli xcx – "SS26"
- Tove Lo – "I’m Your Girl, Right?"
- PinkPantheress + Zara Larsson – "Stateside"
Breakdown of Key Category Headliners
- Best Pop Video (UK): Features heavyweight contenders including Harry Styles ("Aperture"), Charli xcx ("Camera" and "Wink Wink"), MEEK ("Fabulous"), FLO ("Leak It"), and PinkPantheress paired with Zara Larsson ("Stateside").
- Best Hip Hop / Grime / Rap Video (International): Highlights global heavyweights, showcasing A$AP Rocky’s dual entries ("Helicopter" and "Punk Rocky"), alongside Rich The Kid ("Calling My Line"), Mond ("Bzns"), Asinine ("Si le Soleil Existe"), and Tierra Whack ("Wax Paper").
- Craft Excellence (Cinematography & Editing): Technical awards feature masterclasses in visual tone, with Studio RM supporting Best Colour Grading nominations that pit Ariana Grande’s "Petal" against Ezra Collective’s "Only Love," while Shift’s Best Editing category showcases high-velocity cuts in works by A$AP Rocky, Olivia Rodrigo, and GENER8ION.
Official Statements and Industry Impact
The announcement of the 19th UKMVA nominations arrives at a time of significant structural shift for the music video industry. Directors, commissioners, and production companies continue to navigate tightening budgets while pushing the boundaries of what can be achieved with emerging virtual production tools, 16mm/35mm film stock, and innovative choreography.
Industry figures have consistently pointed to the Camden Roundhouse ceremony as the ultimate barometer of creative health within the sector. With production companies like ICONOCLAST, CANADA, Object and Animal, and Anonymous Content represented heavily across the Best Production Company category (in association with Kodak), the shortlist reflects a healthy ecosystem of both boutique creative shops and global powerhouse facilities.
Furthermore, the robust presence of newcomer categories—spanning directors, cinematographers, editors, and colourists—indicates a thriving pipeline of fresh directorial voices injecting new perspectives into pop, alternative, and hip-hop visual landscapes.
Future Outlook
As the industry converges on the Camden Roundhouse on November 4, all eyes will be on how the night’s major races unfold. While statistical frontrunners like Charli xcx and Kneecap hold substantial momentum, the UKMVAs are historically known for last-minute surprises, particularly when the envelope is opened for the fiercely contested Video of the Year award.
Beyond the trophies, the event serves as an invaluable networking nexus for creators, commissioners from major and independent labels (including Polydor, Partisan, Sony Music, and Warp Records), and top-tier talent agents. In an era where music video clips must cut through a deafening digital noise floor on platforms like TikTok and YouTube, the 19th UKMVAs reinforce the enduring cultural power of the three-to-five-minute cinematic art form.
Tickets for the November 4 ceremony at The Roundhouse are available now via the official UKMVA website, promising an unforgettable night celebrating the visionaries who turn sound into sight.
