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HMVAs 2026 NOMINATIONS

HONORING THE CREATORS BEHIND THE CURTAINS

FOR THE YEAR OF 2025

LIST VIEW
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GRAND CRAFT

 

BEST DIRECTING

"Berghain" - Rosalía ft. Björk - directed by Nicolás Mendez (prod: CANADA)

"Loser" - Tame Impala - directed by Sam Kristofski (prod: Screens, Iconoclast & GoodWorld Creative)

"NuevaYoL" - Bad Bunny - directed by Renell Medrano (prod: Virgin Soil Pictures)

"Stranger" - Doja Cat - directed by Dave Meyers (prod: freenjoy)

"The Birds Don’t Sing" - Clipse, John Legend, Voices of Fire, Pusha T & Malice - directed by Brendan O’Connor (prod: Shotclock)

BEST INNOVATIVE DIRECTION

"Love" - OK Go - directed by Damian Kulash, Aaron Duffy, Miguel Espada

"Shoot" - Yamê - directed by King She (prod: Henry)

"SWMF" - Labrinth - directed by Brendan Walter (prod: TRESCO)

"TAKITA" - LESRAM - directed by BLEU DESERT (prod: Henry)

"Toxic Romantic" - Duckwrth - directed by Griffin Olis (prod: ArtCamp)

BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY

"Dreamin'- Dom Dolla ft. Daya - cinematography by Tom Black (dir: Kyle Caulfield, Shevin Dissanayake)
"Lonely Avenue"  - Jon Batiste, Randy Newman -- cinematography by Joshua Zucker-Pluda

(dir: David Henry Gerson; prod: Paranoia Productions)

"Loser" Tame Impala - cinematography by Charlie Sarroff (dir: Sam Kristofski; prod: Screens, Iconoclast & GoodWorld Creative)

"NuevaYoL" Bad Bunny  - cinematography by Ryan Marie Helfant (dir: Renell Medrano;

prod: Virgin Soil Pictures)

"Pikito" - Ozuna, Beêle - cinematography by Mike Long (dir: Raymi Paulus; prod: DRKT Studios)

BEST PRODUCTION DESIGN

"Eyes Closed" - JISOO, Zayn - production design by Jonathan Qualtere (dir: Frank Borin, Ivanna Borin; prod: Underwonder)

"Helium" - The Chainsmokers, Anna Sofia - production design by Brittany Porter (dir: Alex Acy;

prod: Bodeyco)

"Pokemon" - Wet Leg -production design by Isaac Aaron (dir: Elliot Arndt; prod: Sura Productions)

"Supernatural" Ariana Grande -  production design by Alex Delgado (dir: Christian Breslauer;

prod: London Alley, Lucky Bastards)

"Tears" - Sabrina Carpenter - production design by Brittany Porter (dir: Bardia Zeinali; prod: freenjoy, Anonymous Content)

 

BEST CHOREOGRAPHY

"Anxiety" - Doechii - choreography by Robbie Blue (dir: James Mackel; prod: Adele Drive, More Avenue)

"Gnarly" - KATESEYE - choreography by Grant Gilmore, Sohey Sugihara, Sienna Lalau  (dir: Cody Critcheloe; prod: Ambience)

"Revolving Door" - Tate McRae - choreography by Robbie Blue (dir: Aerin Moreno; prod: Radiance)

"Tears" - Sabrina Carpenter -choreography by Jasmine Badie (dir: Bardia Zeinali; prod: freenjoy, Anonymous Content)

"Vampire Diaries" - MGK - choreography by Sean Bankhead (dir: Sam Cahill; prod: AJR Films)
 

BEST STYLING

"Cannibalism! " - Slayyyter - styling by Slayyyter (dir: Slayyyter; prod: James Tresco)

"Gone Gone Gone" - David Guetta, Teddy Swims, Tone and I - styling by Christian Stroble, Britt McCamey, Jessica Paster, Rachel Haas (dir: Hannah Lux Davis; prod: London Alley)

"Imaginary Playerz- Cardi B - styling by Kolin Carter (dir: Cardi B, Patience Foster; prod: Vanta, Artifact Content)

"Jealous Type" - Doja Cat - styling by Brett Alan Nelson (dir: Boni Mata; prod: freenjoy)

"Sports Car" - Tate McRae - styling by Brett Alan Nelson (dir: Bardia Zeinali; prod: Anonymous Content)

BEST HAIR & MAKEUP

"Cuntissimo" - Maria - hair & makeup by Gregg Lennon Jr, Nick Lennon, Kandi Hernandez (dir: Olivia de Camps; prod: CANADA)

"Dancing2" - Keli Holiday - hair & makeup by Meg McConville (dir: Ryan Sauer)

"Gone Gone Gone" David Guetta, Teddy Swims, Tone and I - hair & makeup by Kimberly Esther, Natalia, Tessa Antoinette (dir: Hannah Lux Davis; prod: London Alley)

"Gorgeous" - Doja Cat - hair & makeup by Jawara Wauchope, Sam Visser (dir: Bardia Zeinali; 

prod: freenjoy)

"Muddy" - Sophie Powers - hair & makeup by Nikki Carmella, Allie Elizabeth (dir: Logan Rice, Sophie Powers; prod: Typeface Studios)

 

BEST ACTING

"Little Bit Closer" - Sam Fender  - starring Owen Cooper (dir: Philip Barantini; prod: Blindeye Films)

"Loser" - Tame Impala - starring Joe Keery (dir: Sam Kristofski; prod: Screens, Iconoclast & GoodWorld Creative)

"Psycho Killer" - Talking Heads - starring Saoirse Ronan dir: Mike Mills; prod: MJZ)

"Watch Me Go" - Lord Huron - starring Jongman Kim (dir: Jackie Zhou; prod: exgirlfriend)

"Zombie" - Yungblud - starring Florence Pugh (dir: Charlie Sarsfield; prod: Untold Studios)

BEST CASTING

"Chains & Whips" - Clipse, Kendrick Lamar, Pusha T, Malice - casting by Copelan Cash, Esprit Casting (dir: Gabriel Moses; prod: Division)

"Eatin Big Time" - Tyler Childers - casting by Casey Campbell (dir: James Mackel; prod: Adele Drive, More Avenue)

"Gorgeous" - Doja Cat - casting by Ignacio Murillo, Kathryn Costigan & Morgan Sensei (dir: Bardia Zeinali; prod: freenjoy)

"Little Bit Closer" - Sam Fender - casting by Blindeye Films (dir: Philip Barantini; prod: Blindeye Films)

"Sugar On My Tongue" - Tyler, The Creator - casting by Copelan Cash, Esprit Casting (dir: Tyler, The Creator; prod: Happy Place)

BEST EDITING

"A Plea" - Flea - edited by Sid Williams, Cabin Edit (dir: Clara Balzary; prod: First Matter)

"Luther" - Kendrick Lamar ft. SZA - edited by Kat Webber, Sunset Edit (dir: Karena Evans; prod: Fela)

"Not OK" - 5 Seconds of Summer -edited by Ally Gondeck, Nomad Edit (dir: Hannah Lux Davis; prod: London Alley)

"Sports Car" - Tate McRae - edited by William Town, Modern Post (dir: Bardia Zeinali; prod: Anonymous Content)

"Tears" - Sabrina Carpenter - edited by Sofia Kerpan, Modern Post (dir: Bardia Zeinali; prod: freenjoy, Anonymous Content)

 

BEST VISUAL EFFECTS

"Lose My Mind" - Don Toliver x Doja Cat - visual effects by Mathematic (dir: Christian Breslauer; prod: London Alley, Lucky Bastards)

"Luther" - Kendrick Lamar ft. SZA - visual effects by Sunset Edit (dir: Karena Evans; prod: Fela)

"Supernatural" - Ariana Grande - visual effects by Mathematic (dir: Christian Breslauer; prod: London Alley, Lucky Bastards)

"Shoot" - Yamê - visual effects by Monumental FX (dir: King She; prod: Henry)

"Time" - Yoga Lin x Ng KiPin - visual effects by Fukupoly, Strobolights (dir: Yashuiro Arafune)

 

BEST ANIMATION

"Burn" - Izzy Spears - animation by ZheeShee (dir: Ataka; prod: Henry)

"FUTW" - Lisa - animation by Jaime Restepo (dir: Christian Breslauer; prod: London Alley, Lucky Bastards)

"Give Me Love" - George Harrison - animation by Akash Jones, Nikolas Radulovich, Edwin Alvarenga, Colin Lepper, Abbey Collings (dir: Finn Wolfhard)

"Requin" - Lil Supa & Benjamin Epps - animation by Nicholas Cravedi (dir: Daniel Alpernia; prod: Always Busy)

"Sideways" - Daffo - animation by Anne Douris (dir: Anne Douris; prod: Fuzz Boy Inc)

 

BEST COLOR GRADING

"High Fashion" - Addison Rae - color by Myles Bevan (dir: Mitch Ryan; prod: Cadence Films)

"Loser" - Tame Impala - color by Connor Bailey (dir: Sam Kristofski; prod: Screens, Iconoclast & GoodWorld Creative)

"NuevaYoL" - Bad Bunny - color by Dante Pasquinelli (dir: Renell Medrano; prod: Virgin Soil Pictures)

"Ripple" - Good Neighbours - color by Joseph Bicknell (dir: Alex Lockett; prod: Farago Projects)

"Silver Lining" - Laufey - color by Myles Bevan (dir: Jason Lester; prod: Ted & Jane)


 

MUSIC GENRE

 

BEST POP

"12 to 12" - sombr  - directed by Gus Black (prod: American Film Corporation)

"Abracadabra" - Lady Gaga - directed by Bethany Vargas (prod: LoveSong Films)

"FUTW" - LISA - directed by Christian Breslauer (prod: London Alley, Lucky Bastards)

"Revolving Door" - Tate McRae - directed by Aerin Moreno (prod: Radiance)

"Tears" - Sabrina Carpenter - directed by Bardia Zeinali (prod: freenjoy, Anonymous Content)

BEST RAP

"Beat A Bitch Up" - Alameda & Doechii - directed by Omar Jones (prod: TDE)

"Lover Girl" - Megan thee Stallion - directed by Alfred Marroquín (prod: Somesuch)

"March" - Glo Rilla - directed by Troy Roscoe (prod: UnderWonder)

"The Birds Don't Sing" - Clipse, John Legend, Voices of Fire, Pusha T & Malice - directed by Brendan O’Connor (prod: Shotclock)

"Whenever" - Megan the Stallion - directed by Zav Dov Weisel (prod: Pulse Films)

 

BEST R&B

"Bliss" - Tyla - directed by Director X (prod: UnderWonder)

"Cry For Me" - The Weeknd - directed by CLIQUA (prod: Somesuch)

"FMT" - Summer Walker  - directed by child.  (prod: Agüita)

"Sugar On My Tongue" - Tyler, the Creator - directed by Tyler the Creator (prod: Happy Place)

"Twenties" - Giveon - directed by Loris Russier (prod: Lotumn)

BEST COUNTRY

"Cold" - BigXThaPlug x Post Malone - directed by JakeTheShooter (prod: ShooterCo)

"Drift Away" - Orville Peck - directed by Tilly Robba & Steph Jowett (prod: Studio Antics)

"Eatin Big Time" - Tyler Childers - directed by James Mackel (prod: Adele Drive, More Avenue)

"Mean To Me" - Kashus Culpepper - directed by Lewis Cater (prod: Tuff)

"Stay Country Or Die Tryin" - Blake Shelton - directed by Adam Rothlein & Jennifer Ansell (prod: Tiny Terror Productions)

 

BEST ROCK

"Cruising To Self Soothe" - Ecca Vandal - directed by Ecca Vandal & Richie Buxton

"For I Am Death / Life Evermore" - The Pretty Reckless - directed by Lewis Cater (prod: Tuff)

"Not OK" - 5 Seconds of Summer - directed by Hannah Lux Davis (prod: London Alley)"

"The Contract" - Twenty One Pilots - directed by Frédéric De Pontcharra (prod: Wanda)

"Zombie" - Yungblud - directed by Charlie Sarsfield (prod: Untold Studios)

BEST ALTERNATIVE

"back to friends" - sombr - directed by Gus Black (prod: American Film Corporation)

"Glum" - Hayley Williams - directed by AJ Gibboney & Zac Farro (prod: Creative Team Studios)

"Nothing I Need" - Lord Huron - directed by Jackie Zhou

"Psycho Killer" - Talking Heads - directed by Mike Mills (prod: MJZ)

"Ripple" - Good Neighbours - directed by Alex Lockett (prod: Farago Projects)

 

BEST INDIE

"A Bug's Life" - Sudan Archives - directed by Alexa Carrasco

"Au Pays Du Cocaine" Geese - directed by Milo Hume (prod: Pulse Films)

"Die Your Daughter" - Susannah Joffe - directed by Madeline Leary

"thought i knew you better" - glittr - directed by David Helman (prod: Freenjoy)

"Pokemon" - Wet Leg - directed by Elliot Arndt

BEST METAL

"Dance, Kid Dance" - Shinedown - directed by Lewis Cater (prod: Tuff)

"God Is A Weapon" - Falling in Reverse ft. Marilyn Manson - directed by Jensen Noen (prod: Blesscode, UnderWonder)

"Milk of the Madonna" - Deftones -directed by David Heofs (prod: Bandiz)

"Left For Good" - Bad Omens - directed by Nico & Noah Sebastian (prod: The Machine Shop)

"Winona" - Deafheaven - directed by Nico & Noah Sebastian (prod: Pulse Films, Gold Theory Artists)

BEST ELECTRONIC & DANCE

"Catch Me" - Apashe - directed by Adrian Villagomez (prod: Consulat)

"Dreamin'" - Dom Dolla ft. Daya - directed by Kyle Caulfield & Shevin Dissanayake

"Helium" - The Chainsmokers, Anna Sofia  - directed by Alex Acy (prod: Bodeyco)

"Here All Night" - Demi Lovato - directed by Hannah Lux Davis (prod: London Alley)

"YOLO" - Horsegiirl - directed by Tsarina Merrin (prod: Somesuch)

 

BEST LATIN

"Da Me" - Bad Gyal - directed by Torso (prod: Division)

"Ivonny Bonita" - KAROL G - directed by Pedro Artola & Stillz

"Marik Ya!" - Mari La Carajita - directed by Stefania Chehade, Edwin Corona (prod: Marginal Studios, Casivache)

"NuevaYoL" - Bad Bunny - directed by Renell Medrano (prod: Virgin Soil Pictures)

"Pikito" - Ozuna, Beêle - directed by Raymi Paulus (prod: DRKT Studios)

 

BEST INTERNATIONAL

"Catch Me" - Apashe - directed by Adrian Villagomez (prod: Consulat)

"Presso" - Dzsúdlo - directed by Viktor Horvath

"Shoot" - Yamê -directed by King She (prod: Henry)

"Sundiata" - Fuse ODG ft. Suli Breaks - directed by Christian Saint (Prod: New Saint Motion Picture)  

"Sweet Danger" - Obongjayar - directed by Sophie Jones (Prod: Somesuch)

CINEMA STYLE


BEST COMEDY

"Bandaids" - Katy Perry - directed by Christian Breslauer (prod: London Alley)

"Eatin Big Time" Tyler Childers - directed by James Mackel (prod: Adele Drive, More Avenue)

"London Bridge" - Fergie x Too Much - directed by Mia Barnes (prod: RadicalMedia)

"Love Myself" - Jeff Hilliard - directed by Jeff Hilliard

"Sue Me" - Audrey Hobert - directed by Audrey Hobert

 

BEST ACTION

"Catch Me" - Apashe - directed by Adrian Villagomez (prod: Consulat)

"Drive" - Ed Sheeran  - directed by Chris Villa (prod: London Alley)

"Stranger" - Doja Cat - directed by Dave Meyers (prod: freenjoy)

"Supernatural" - Ariana Grande  - directed by Christian Breslauer (prod: London Alley, Lucky Bastards)

"Time" - Yoga Lin x Ng KiPin - directed by Yashuiro Arafune

BEST SCI-FI / THRILLER / HORROR

"Cannibalism!" - Slayyyter -directed by Slayyyter (prod: TRESCO)

"Human" - Brandi Carlile - directed by Floria Sigismondi (prod: Scheme Engine)

"Leeches" - Melanie Martinez - directed by Melanie Martinez (prod: Dojohouse)

"Left For Good" - Bad Omens - directed by Nico & Noah Sebastian (prod: The Machine Shop)

"Tears" - Sabrina Carpenter - directed by Bardia Zeinali (prod: freenjoy, Anonymous Content)

BEST CONCEPT

"3AM" - Loe Shimmy ft. Don Toliver - directed by Justice Silvera, Christian Breslauer (prod: Lucky Bastards)

"Berghain" - Rosalía ft. Björk  - directed by Nicolás Méndez (prod: CANADA)

"Psycho Killer" - Talking Heads - directed by Mike Mills (prod: MJZ)

"The Birds Don't Sing" Clipse, John Legend, Voices of Fire, Pusha T & Malice - directed by Brendan O’Connor (prod: Shotclock)

"Whenever" - Megan Thee Stallion - directed by Zav Dov Weisel (prod: Pulse Films)
 

BEST NARRATIVE

"Denial Is A River" - Doechii - directed by James Mackel & Carlos Acosta (prod: Lotumn)

"Is It A Crime" - Mariah The Scientist ft. Kali Uchis - directed by Claire Bishara (prod: Lotumn)

"Past Won't Leave My Bed" - Joji - directed by Ethan Eng

"Psycho Killer" - Talking Heads - directed by Mike Mills (prod: MJZ)

"Watch Me Go" - Lord Huron - directed by Jackie Zhou (prod: exgirlfriend)

 

BEST LIVE PERFORMANCE

"Hotbox" - Lil Nas X - directed by Elias Talbot (prod: TRESCO)

"Hurry Up Tomorrow" - The Weeknd - directed by Trey Shults (prod: Virgin Soil Pictures)

"My Full Name" - Madison Cunningham - directed by Sean Stout, creative direction by Nick Steinhardt

"Residuals" - Chris Brown - directed by Travis Colbert (prod: Projekt Studios)

"Survive" - Lewis Capaldi - directed by Charlie Sarsfield (prod: Untold Studios)

 

BEST ONLINE VIRALITY

"Burning Blue" - Mariah The Scientist - directed by Claire Bishara (prod: Lotumn)

"London Bridge" - Fergie x Too Much - directed by Mia Barnes (prod: RadicalMedia)

"Sally, When The Wine Runs Out" - Role Model - directed by Neema Sadeghi & Tucker Pillsbury (prod: Typeface Studios)

"Sugar On My Tongue" - Tyler the Creator - directed by Tyler the Creator (prod: Happy Place)

"Tears" - Sabrina Carpenter - directed by Bardia Zeinali (prod: freenjoy, Anonymous Content)

 

BEST SHORT FORM VISUALIZER

"Am I The Drama?" Cardi B - directed by Jora Frantzis (prod: Artifact Content)

"Cut Hands" - Deftones - directed by Ed Carr

"Reruns" - Woven Hollow - directed by Sam Blakesberg & Van Wampler (prod: CinemaRaven)

"Vacancy" - Ari Lennox - directed by Alex Oh (prod: TreNative)

"What Happened To The Streets?" 21 Savage - directed by Pau Carreté (prod: CANADA)
 

BEST LOW BUDGET

"Au Pays Du Cocaine" - Geese - directed by Milo Hume (prod: Pulse Films)

"Cruising To Self Soothe" - Ecca Vandal - directed by Ecca Vandal & Richie Buxton

"De Guerre" - spill tab - directed by Neema Sadeghi & Tucker Pillsbury (prod: ANNO)

"paper doll" - quinnie - directed by Alejandra Demers

"WOW" - Seb Torgus - directed by Sam Kfare (prod: Requiem Studios, THUNK Productions)

 

BEST SHOT ON PHONE

"Armament" - Luwi - directed by Akhabue Evans

"A Stone Only Rolls Downhill" - OK Go - directed by Damian Kulash and Collin Citron

"Cherry Cola" - Devon Again - directed by Justin Nguyen & Eliot Lee (prod: No Storage)

"I Can't Lose" - Jonas Brothers - directed by Anthony Mandler

"Let Loose" - Jackson Wang - directed by OJun Kwon

MUSIC VIDEO OF THE YEAR

"12 to 12" - sombr - directed by Gus Black (prod: American Film Corporation)

"Abracadabra" - Lady Gaga - directed by Bethany Vargas (prod: LoveSong Films)

"Berghain" - Rosalía ft. Björk - directed by Nicolás Méndez (prod: CANADA)

"Denial Is A River" - Doechii - directed by James Mackel & Carlos Acosta (prod: Lotumn)

"Jealous Type" - Doja Cat - directed by Boni Mata (prod: freenjoy)

"Love" - OK Go - directed by Damian Kulash, Aaron Duffy, Miguel Espada

"NuevaYoL" - Bad Bunny - directed by Renell Medrano (prod: Virgil Soil Pictures)

"Revolving Door" - Tate McRae - directed by Aerin Moreno (prod: Radiance)

"Tears" - Sabrina Carpenter - directed by Bardia Zeinali (prod: freenjoy, Anonymous Content)

"The Birds Don't Sing" - Clipse, John Legend, Voices of Fire, Pusha T & Malice - directed by Brendan O’Connor (prod: Shotclock)

 

DIRECTOR OF THE YEAR

Christian Breslauer

Renell Medrano

Gus Black

Loris Russier

JakeTheShooter

 

BREAKOUT DIRECTOR OF THE YEAR

Luke Orlando

Justice Silvera

Jackie Zhou

BK Barone

Claire Bishara

 

CREATIVE OF THE YEAR

Clare Gillen

Lauren Dunn

Brett Alan Nelson

Sam Cahill

Nick Steinhardt

 

PRODUCER OF THE YEAR 

Collin Druz

Autumn Maschi 

Jason Baum

Lukas Lennon

Farah Idrees 

EXECUTIVE PRODUCER OF THE YEAR

Luga Podesta, London Alley

Tara Sheree, freenjoy

Frank Borin, UnderWonder Content

Missy Galanida, Hound Content

Malcolm Duncan, Virgin Soil Pictures

 

PRODUCTION COMPANY OF THE YEAR

Freenjoy 

London Alley

UnderWonder

Hound Content 

Henry

Lotumn

 

POST-PRODUCTION COMPANY OF THE YEAR

Sunset Edit

Nomad Edit

FRENDER

Modern Post

The Machine Shop

 

EDITOR OF THE YEAR
William Town

Luis Caraza Peimbert

Ally Gondeck

Jacob Giessmann

Sofia Kerpan


CINEMATOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR

Neema Sadeghi

Joshua Zucker-Pluda

Powell Robinson

Brian Beckwith

Scott Siracusano

PRODUCTION DESIGNER OF THE YEAR

Brittany Porter

Elizabet Puksto

Alex Delgado

NuCalifornia

Andrew Caso

 

CHOREOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR

Robbie Blue

Sean Bankhead

Jasmine Badie

JaQuel Knight

Mandy Moore
 

STYLIST OF THE YEAR

Brett Alan Nelson

Orchid Satellite

Ariel Tinsey

Margarita Shekel

Lizzy Arroyo

 

ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF THE YEAR

Robert Blair II

Daniel Ben

Harry Guest

Kelo Thompson

Ryan Owens

 

COMMISSIONER OF THE YEAR

Sam Houston, RCA Records

Devin Sarno, Warner Records

Steven Gottlieb, ContentVideo

Andrew Reid, Atlantic Records

Emily Simon, Republic Records

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