The synergy between music and film reached its zenith at the Berlin Music Video Awards 2024. This 12th edition, held at Berlin’s renowned Club Gretchen, saw a flood of creatives descending upon the city, fashionably attired as if gracing Billy Idol’s “White Wedding”. More than a festival, BMVAs is the pulsating heart of Europe’s indie music video scene, uniting a vibrant mix of musicians, filmmakers, producers, writers, and artists. It’s a veritable oasis in the creative desert, a sanctuary where innovation blooms unbridled by commercial constraints.
Big Surprises Abound as Gennre Snags Top Spot with Debut Music Video!
In the 2024 edition, Gennre emerged as the event’s sensation, clinching the coveted final prize with her maiden music video. This festival is the epitome of unbridled creativity, championing raw talent over big-budget productions. Club Gretchen, housed in the historic Prussian 1st Guards’ stables dating back to 1854, provided a fittingly iconic backdrop.
Special thanks to Unsigned Berlin, it is a podcast crew that filmed all full interviews
www.berlinmva.com
@berlinmusicvideoawards
@clubgretchen
Aviel Silook, the visionary behind BMVAs, honoured the venue’s uniqueness:
“The Gretchen is a fantastic location, not only for the great sound system but also because of the owners and the staff, really incredible people. The place is not only historical because it is a historical building but it’s historical because it makes history these days. I love working with people who think about legacy, that’s the next level. Besides all that, it is also a wonderful venue for events like ours because we have several spaces to project different videos, stage talks, and DJs at the same time.”
This year’s opening night outshone all previous editions, launching a multi-day euphoria filled with groundbreaking films and music. From fresh-faced creatives to seasoned professionals, all vied for recognition in an atmosphere drenched in Berlin’s DIY ethos and punk spirit—echoing a love for art that blossoms from nothingness.
Silook emphasizes the festival’s authenticity:
“I think that the main thing that makes people like the festival is the fact that it is independent. People in Berlin and also the filmmakers, are very good when it comes to smelling a commercial production. They can see that it is a passion project by the selection of the videos or the laid-back atmosphere. It’s easy to see that we have no sponsors to please or government funds that dictate our policies. That’s part of the concept of originality; the freedom of art and expression can’t exist with restrictions that these entities impose.”
The BMVAs showcased a dynamic program across three versatile spaces, offering an array of opportunities for guests. The main stage featured top-tier international music videos, celebrating triumphs across 16 categories. Box 2 kept the energy alive with Silver Screenings of commendable non-nominated videos, intersected by expert panel talks including Yonatan Dor’s insights on AI and music videos. The convivial vibe extended outdoors with exhilarating DJ sets from talents like Lawya, Jacques, and a host of local DJs, alongside Ari Denaro’s Kamasutra Ninja display.
Several nominated artists lit up the stage with powerhouse performances of their nominated tracks, including standout acts like Malina Scar, Thunder Bae, SIIE, and Adan Cruz. Words fall short in capturing their electrifying shows—experience them through our highlights video.
Showstopping Victory for Gennre
Gennre’s star ascended at this year’s BMVAs. A band from Paris, accompanied by lead singer Anna Sofia, guitarist Etienne Baret and drummer Alex Ratier, culminated in a dazzling win. Day 3 of the festival marked the band’s breakthrough as they performed “WYNONA” and swept the Best Song category, finally crowned with the Best Music Video! The video was directed by Samuel Kaperski, who is one of the most sought-after music video directors in France. He directed the winning video along with his co-director Celia Pyamootoo. Their duo is called Phantom Directors.
The final round, featuring category winners and three special “golden passes,” once again testified to the festival’s unpredictability and open ethos.
This Year’s Victors
Here’s a list of the Berlin Music Video Awards 2024 winners across all categories:
● Best Animation: CHINESE MAN – TOO LATE FEAT. STOGIE T, KT GORIQUE & FP
○ Jury Comment: “So much hard work went into this and it shows but the video still feels
lighthearted, bouncy, and self-aware in a playful way.”
○ Director: Victor Haegelin
○ Produced by: Quad
● Best VFX: REEVE – WAX ON YOU
○ Jury Comment: “This is damn awesome. Visual effects support the story so well. One cut
and she melts. I love this one.”
○ Post Production and VFX by Orage
● Best Experimental: CARLA MASSOLINI – TO THE BODY
○ Jury Comment: “Amazing storytelling, wonderful choreography, great acting, exciting in
every single second. Great style, modern, personal, outstanding edit and camera… all in
all brilliant!”
● Most Bizarre: THE HIVES – BOGUS OPERANDI
○ Jury Comment: “Exactly when we stated that we are tired of bloody videos, Joel Hördegård proved us not to quit too early! He brought the Bizarre/ horror music video genre up to a new level this time. It’s not too much and right on point. The combination of horror and original cinematography is a winning card.”
○ Director: Joel Hördegård
● Most Trashy: DILLON FRANCIS – LA ON ACID
○ Jury Comment: “Comic videos always get better scores.”
○ Director: Parker Seaman
● Best Editor: METTE – MAMA’S EYES
○ Editor: Vid Price
● Best Performer: GUILLAUME PONCELET – YAKI IMO
○ Performer: Sarah Abricht
● Best Concept: THE CHEMICAL BROTHERS, BECK – SKIPPING LIKE A STONE
○ Director: Pensacola
○ DOP: Christopher Ripley
● Best Art Director: MASSTOR – SELF CONTROL
● Best Song: GENNRE – WYNONA
● Best Narrative: ELSE – OCEAN
● Best Low Budget: ALEX VS ALEX – SEE ME 4 THE FIRST TIME
○ aLex vs aLex, aka Sofia Insua
● Best Cinematography: HOZIER – DE SELBY (PART 2)
○ Actor: Domhnall Gleeson
● Best Director: KALTE LIEBE – TRÄUME OHNE WERT
○ Director: Florian Christopher
● Best Production Company: Dissidence
○ Videos: “Halsey, Suga – Lilith (Diablo IV Anthem)” and “DALTON JOHN – PAYBACK”
The creative enthusiasm is already palpable for 2025—see you at next year’s Berlin Music Video Awards, where the spirit of the underdog always wins!
