AUGUST 2025 MUSIC VIDEO WINNERS
"We Will We Will Prompt You"- Michael Cole- United States- Best Music Video, Best AI Music--3min
Who is Prompting Whom?
We Will We Will Prompt You by Michael Cole is a witty, well-executed AI music video that embraces its own artificiality with humor and flair. Playing off the iconic Queen anthem, the video begins with a familiar beat and slowly evolves into something stranger, a surreal, AI-generated twist on identity, power, and authorship. The clean visuals, upbeat tempo, and deliberate lyric absurdity create a cohesive, entertaining experience. By openly questioning who’s really prompting whom ... human or machine... the piece invites deeper reflection beneath its playful surface.
This one walks the line well: it knows it’s absurd, and it celebrates it, with enough polish to make it enjoyable and just enough weird to make it memorable.
the Queen reference is clear, cheeky, and absolutely intentional.
And the visuals are clean, clever, concept-driven. Not overdone. You can tell the artist has a steady hand in curation
"We Try Not To Think About It Now " - Roxanne Ducharme- Panama- Best Art Direction- 5min
What's the underbelly of Los Angeles like?
We Try Not To Think About It Now by Roxane Ducharme is a visually poetic journey through a dream-distorted Los Angeles, rich with creative compositions and Roxane’s signature otherworldly aesthetic. The film pairs surreal, often aquatic or celestial visuals with Sukie Smith’s haunting track, creating a mood that is both nostalgic and unsettling.
Its overall atmosphere, eclectic character presence, and emotional tone are immersive and striking. A beautifully strange meditation on memory, perception, and the shadows of place.
"Witness Me" - Paul Baraka - Canada- Best AI Vocal Performance- 4min
What would inspire the forgotten to rise up?
Witness Me by Paul Baraka is a defiant and emotionally charged music video that blends music, spoken word, and symbolic AI visuals into a collective soul-call.
The narrative shifts to embrace all who feel unseen, turning personal trauma into shared empowerment. The consistent visual style, even with shifts in animation, supports the message effectively. However, the recurring triangle-circle symbols tread a fine line between spiritual awakening and potentially polarizing iconography, leaving interpretation open; a strength for some, a concern for others. The music’s urgency and inclusivity make it resonate deeply in the climate of our times.
"The Pirates in Disguise " - Jay Lorenz - United States - Best Childrens Music Video- 5min
What if those around us are Pirates in Disguise?
The Pirates in Disguise by Jay Lorenz stands out among his submissions as a successful children’s music video. With consistent animation, a playful pirate theme, and music that aligns well with visual beats, the piece feels cohesive and entertaining. The candy-ship concept and magical bedtime imagery spark imagination without overwhelming the viewer.
The consistent animation style keeps us anchored, and the visuals and beats move in sync instead of battling for attention.