What is a music video? We raise this question every year, and every year we discover something we never thought of before. However, the essence of the answer does not change: a music video is an audiovisual event that must be experienced together. Sometimes it can be a space for bold experiments, at other times the format can reach new technical peaks and redefine the possibilities of the genre. And then there are those videos that, although they use a familiar audiovisual language, manage to say something completely unexpected. In this festival section, we want to explore and get to know this ever-changing field and the unique interaction of image and music.
The BALTIC MUSIC VIDEO Competition screening invites viewers, festival guests, filmmakers, and musicians to come together and experience music videos in all their glory and uniqueness. A screening you are sure to remember!
The BALTIC MUSIC VIDEO Competition (BMV) endeavours to uphold the belief that the music video is an independent and powerful short format in its own right. The RIGA IFF curators look for videos that challenge the audience and push the boundaries of format, contents, and artistic expression.
The screening of this programme is designed as a special event in itself – it is a lively meeting between music video creators, musicians and composers, curators, the members of the international jury, and the audience.
BMV seeks out videos that are daring, innovative, and experimental. To be eligible for submission, the music video must meet one of the following criteria: the director, the artist, or the production must originate from Estonia, Latvia, or Lithuania. Only official music videos are accepted. There are no restrictions on length. Videos must have been completed after 1 June 2024. Both the creative team and the musicians featured in the selected videos will be invited to attend the festival. RIGA IFF especially welcomes submissions that have not yet had their world premiere.
A specially designed award and a monetary prize of EUR 1,000 will be presented to the winner of the competition during the RIGA IFF Award Ceremony, which takes place on the second Saturday of the festival. The international jury is made up of music video creators, music video curators from international film festivals, musicians, music journalists and professional music event managers. All participants are invited to attend the jury’s official screening giving them an additional opportunity to receive feedback. Additionally, one of the music videos will be awarded the Public’s Award, which will be determined through voting.
The call for submissions opens on 25 March 2025 and closes on 30 June 2025. The results will be announced by 10 September 2025.
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