Each year, the Prism Prize acknowledges accomplishments in Canadian music videos, awarding the winner with top honours and a cash award that was recently doubled to $10,000. Now, the top 20 contenders for this year's prize have been unveiled.
The list was selected by a jury of more than 120 Canadian music, film and media arts professionals (and in the interest of full disclosure, the author of this news story is on said jury). The nominations are based on the criteria of originality, creativity, style, innovation and effective execution.
"This was the best year for Canadian music videos ever, and a Top 10 list just couldn't capture all the talent," said director and founder of the Prism Prize, Louis Calabro, in a press release. "With the Prism Prize Top 20, we are proud to present a diverse group of incredible artists and their remarkable work."
The final 10 nominees will be announced on March 22, with the winner to be announced at a gala on May 15 at the TIFF Bell Lightbox in Toronto.
In addition to the top $10,00 prize, an Audience Award, Special Achievement Award for artistic achievements and exceptional world-wide contribution to music video art, and the Arthur Lipsett Award for innovative and unique approaches to music video art will also be handed out.
Last year's winning title went to Timber Timbre for "Beat the Drum Slowly," but without further ado, you can see who's up for this year's prize by checking out the 20 finalists in the list below. Beyond that, hit play to check out a trailer for the nominees.
2016 Prism Prize Finalists:
A Tribe Called Red "Suplex" (Director: Jon Riera)
Absolutely Free "Vision's" (Directors: Scott Cudmore and Michael LeBlanc)
Aidan Knight "All Clear" (Director: Ft. Langley)
Alessia Cara "Here" (Director: Aaron A)
Braids "Miniskirt" (Director: Kevan Funk)
Daniel Romano "I'm Gonna Teach You" (Director: Chad VanGaalen)
Death From Above 1979 "Virgins" (Director: Eva Michon)
Drake "Hotline Bling" (Director: Director X)
The Elwins "So Down Low" (Director: Alan Poon)
Fast Romantics "Julia" (Director: Matthew Angus)
Grimes "Flesh Without Blood" (Director: Grimes)
Harrison "How Can It Be" (Director: Maxime Lamontagne)
Kalle Mattson "Avalanche" (Director: Philip Sportel)
Monogrenade "Le Fantôme" (Director: Kristof Brandl)
Peaches "Rub" (Directors: Peaches, A.L. Steiner and Lex Vaughn)
PUP "Dark Days" (Director: Jeremy Schaulin-Rioux and Chandler Levack)
Shy Kids "Rockets" (Director: Walter Woodman)
SonReal "For the Town" (Director: Peter Huang)
Spek Won "Black Body" (Director: Mark Valino)
Yukon Blonde "Saturday Night" (Directors: Mac Boucher and Gaya Abdalian)
The list was selected by a jury of more than 120 Canadian music, film and media arts professionals (and in the interest of full disclosure, the author of this news story is on said jury). The nominations are based on the criteria of originality, creativity, style, innovation and effective execution.
"This was the best year for Canadian music videos ever, and a Top 10 list just couldn't capture all the talent," said director and founder of the Prism Prize, Louis Calabro, in a press release. "With the Prism Prize Top 20, we are proud to present a diverse group of incredible artists and their remarkable work."
The final 10 nominees will be announced on March 22, with the winner to be announced at a gala on May 15 at the TIFF Bell Lightbox in Toronto.
In addition to the top $10,00 prize, an Audience Award, Special Achievement Award for artistic achievements and exceptional world-wide contribution to music video art, and the Arthur Lipsett Award for innovative and unique approaches to music video art will also be handed out.
Last year's winning title went to Timber Timbre for "Beat the Drum Slowly," but without further ado, you can see who's up for this year's prize by checking out the 20 finalists in the list below. Beyond that, hit play to check out a trailer for the nominees.
2016 Prism Prize Finalists:
A Tribe Called Red "Suplex" (Director: Jon Riera)
Absolutely Free "Vision's" (Directors: Scott Cudmore and Michael LeBlanc)
Aidan Knight "All Clear" (Director: Ft. Langley)
Alessia Cara "Here" (Director: Aaron A)
Braids "Miniskirt" (Director: Kevan Funk)
Daniel Romano "I'm Gonna Teach You" (Director: Chad VanGaalen)
Death From Above 1979 "Virgins" (Director: Eva Michon)
Drake "Hotline Bling" (Director: Director X)
The Elwins "So Down Low" (Director: Alan Poon)
Fast Romantics "Julia" (Director: Matthew Angus)
Grimes "Flesh Without Blood" (Director: Grimes)
Harrison "How Can It Be" (Director: Maxime Lamontagne)
Kalle Mattson "Avalanche" (Director: Philip Sportel)
Monogrenade "Le Fantôme" (Director: Kristof Brandl)
Peaches "Rub" (Directors: Peaches, A.L. Steiner and Lex Vaughn)
PUP "Dark Days" (Director: Jeremy Schaulin-Rioux and Chandler Levack)
Shy Kids "Rockets" (Director: Walter Woodman)
SonReal "For the Town" (Director: Peter Huang)
Spek Won "Black Body" (Director: Mark Valino)
Yukon Blonde "Saturday Night" (Directors: Mac Boucher and Gaya Abdalian)
2016 Prism Prize Top 20 from Prism Prize on Vimeo.