What Is 2009 UK Music Video Awards

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2009 UK Music Video Awards was the inaugural edition of the ceremony, held on November 5, 2009, at the Odeon Leicester Square in London, honoring the best in British and international music video production from the previous year.

Key Facts

The 2009 UK Music Video Awards took place on November 5, 2009.
The ceremony was held at the Odeon Leicester Square in London.
It was the first edition of the awards, establishing a new annual event.
Videos released between October 1, 2008, and September 30, 2009, were eligible.
'Paparazzi' by Lady Gaga won Best International Video.

Overview

The 2009 UK Music Video Awards marked the first official ceremony dedicated exclusively to celebrating excellence in music video production within the United Kingdom and beyond. Held on November 5, 2009, at the Odeon Leicester Square in London, the event recognized creative achievements across various genres and formats, highlighting the growing importance of the music video as an artistic medium.

Organized by the UK Music Video Awards team, the inaugural event aimed to elevate the profile of directors, producers, and visual artists who contribute to the music industry’s visual identity. The awards were open to videos released between October 1, 2008, and September 30, 2009, ensuring a broad and competitive field.

First ceremony: The 2009 event was the inaugural edition of the UK Music Video Awards, setting a precedent for future annual celebrations of music video artistry.
Venue: The awards were hosted at the Odeon Leicester Square, a prestigious London cinema venue known for major film premieres and industry events.
Eligibility period: Music videos released between October 1, 2008, and September 30, 2009, were considered, capturing a full year of creative output.
Categories: The event featured over 20 award categories, including Best Pop Video, Best Urban Video, and Best International Video.
Notable winner: Lady Gaga’s 'Paparazzi' won Best International Video, cementing her status as a visual innovator in pop music.

How It Works

The UK Music Video Awards operate through a structured nomination and judging process involving industry professionals, ensuring credibility and artistic recognition. Submissions are evaluated based on creativity, technical execution, and cultural impact, with winners selected by a panel of experts in music, film, and digital media.

Nomination Process: Eligible videos are submitted by record labels, directors, or production companies, with entries verified for release date compliance and format standards.
Judging Panel: A panel of over 30 industry professionals, including directors, producers, and music executives, reviews submissions to determine shortlists and winners.
Categories: Awards are divided into genre-specific and technical categories, such as Best Rock Video, Best Cinematography, and Best Animation.
Voting System: Initial shortlisting is done via peer review, followed by final voting among judges to determine the winners in each category.
Eligibility Rules: Only music videos directed or co-directed by UK residents are eligible for domestic categories, while international entries are judged separately.
Award Production: The ceremony is produced with live performances and video screenings, combining entertainment with industry recognition.

Comparison at a Glance

The following table compares the 2009 UK Music Video Awards with similar events and previous years’ milestones in music video recognition.

Award Event	First Held	Location	Notable 2009 Winner	Key Focus
UK Music Video Awards	2009	London, UK	Lady Gaga – 'Paparazzi'	UK and international music video artistry
MTV Video Music Awards	1984	New York, USA	Kanye West – 'Love Lockdown'	Mainstream pop culture and celebrity
UK Music Video Awards 2010	2010	London, UK	Arcade Fire – 'The Suburbs'	Continuation of UK-based video excellence
Grammy Awards – Best Music Video	1982	Los Angeles, USA	Bob Dylan – 'Together Through Life'	Musical and lyrical content with visual artistry
BRIT Awards – Best Video	1985	London, UK	Take That – 'Greatest Day'	UK pop and commercial success

This comparison highlights how the 2009 UK Music Video Awards filled a niche by focusing specifically on the craft of music video production, distinct from broader music awards. While events like the BRITs and Grammys include video categories, the UK Music Video Awards dedicated the entire ceremony to visual innovation, giving directors and cinematographers center stage.

Why It Matters

The 2009 UK Music Video Awards played a crucial role in legitimizing music videos as a serious art form and career path for filmmakers and visual artists. By creating a dedicated platform for recognition, the awards helped elevate the status of video directors and encouraged investment in high-quality visual storytelling.

Industry recognition: The awards provided formal acknowledgment for directors and crews whose work often goes unnoticed outside niche circles.
Career advancement: Winning or being nominated boosted the professional profiles of emerging directors like Adam Smith and Daniel Wolfe.
Artistic validation: The ceremony affirmed that music videos are creative works deserving of critical analysis and awards, not just promotional tools.
International exposure: UK-based talent gained visibility on a global scale, competing with and influencing international trends.
Preservation of craft: The awards encouraged the use of innovative techniques in animation, cinematography, and narrative structure.
Cultural impact: By honoring videos like 'Paparazzi', the event highlighted how music visuals shape public discourse and fashion.

The 2009 ceremony laid the foundation for a lasting tradition that continues to spotlight the evolving relationship between music and visual media, proving that a three-minute video can be as impactful as the song it accompanies.