Der MTV Video Music Award for Best Cinematography gehört zu den technischen Kategorien. Es ist einer der wenigen Awards, die seit 1984 kontinuierlich vergeben wurden. Lediglich 2007 wurde er einmal ausgesetzt. Von 1984 bis 2006 hieß er Best Cinematography in a Video.
Wie bei allen technischen Kategorien wird auch in diesem Fall sowohl der Künstler, der Manager des Künstlers als auch der eigentliche Ausführende, in diesem Fall der Director of Photography des Videos ausgezeichnet.
Den Rekord hält Harris Savides, der den Award dreimal erhielt. Am häufigsten nominiert (neunmal) wurde Daniel Pearl. In der Künstler-Kategorie gewannen Madonna, und Beyoncé je dreimal den Award. Am Häufigsten nominiert war Madonna, nämlich zehnmal.
Ryan Lewis war für seine Kameraarbeit am Video Can’t Hold Us sowohl als Performer als auch als Director of Photography nominiert.
Übersicht AwardJahrPreisträgerfür das VideoNominierungen1.1984Daniel PearlThe Police – Every Breath You Take David Bowie – China Girl (Kamera: John Metcalf) Billy Idol – Eyes Without a Face (Kamera: Tony Mitchell) Kiss – All Hell’s Breakin’ Loose (Kamera: Tony Mitchell und Jim Crispi) John Mellencamp – Authority Song (Kamera: Daniel Pearl) Stray Cats – (She’s) Sexy + 17 (Kamera: Harry Lake)2.1985Pascal LebègueDon Henley – The Boys of Summer Bryan Adams – Heaven (version 2) (Kamera: Peter MacDonald) Bryan Adams – Run to You (Kamera: Frank Gell) Lindsey Buckingham – Go Insane (Kamera: Oliver Stapleton) Madonna – Like a Virgin (Kamera: Peter Sinclair)3.1986Oliver Stapletona-ha – The Sun Always Shines on T.V. Pat Benatar – Sex as a Weapon (Kamera: Peter Mackay) Joe Walsh – The Confessor (Kamera: Jan Kiesser und Ken Barrows) X – Burning House of Love (Kamera: Ken Barrows) ZZ Top – Rough Boy (Kamera: Chris Nibley)4.1987Mark PlummerRobbie Nevil – C’est La Vie Cyndi Lauper – What’s Going On (Kamera: Juan Ruiz Anchía) Madonna – Papa Don’t Preach (Kamera: Michael Ballhaus) U2 – With or Without You (Kamera: Daniel Pearl und Matt Mahurin) Steve Winwood – Higher Love (Kamera: Peter Kagan)5.1988Bill PopeSting – We’ll Be Together George Michael – Father Figure (Kamera: Peter Mackay) Pink Floyd – Learning to Fly (Kamera: Gordon Minard) Robert Plant – Heaven Knows (Kamera: Steve Tickner) Suzanne Vega – Luka (Kamera: Dariusz Wolski)6.1989Mark PlummerMadonna – Express Yourself Michael Jackson – Smooth Criminal (Kamera: John Hora) Tanita Tikaram – Twist in My Sobriety (Kamera: Jeff Darling) Steve Winwood – Roll with It (Kamera: Mark Plummer)7.1990Pascal LebègueMadonna – Vogue Aerosmith – Janie’s Got a Gun (Kamera: Dariusz Wolski) Don Henley – The End of the Innocence (Kamera: David Bridges) Billy Joel – We Didn’t Start the Fire (Kamera: Sven Kirsten)8.1991Rolf KestermannChris Isaak – Wicked Game (Concept) LL Cool J – Mama Said Knock You Out (Kamera: Stephen Ashley Blake) George Michael – Freedom! ’90 (Kamera: Mike Southon) R.E.M. – Losing My Religion (Kamera: Larry Fong)9.1992 Mike Southon und Daniel PearlGuns N’ Roses – November Rain Tori Amos – Silent All These Years (Kamera: George Tiffin) Eric Clapton – Tears in Heaven (Performance) (Kamera: David Johnson) En Vogue – My Lovin’ (You’re Never Gonna Get It) (Kamera: Paul Lauter) Genesis – I Can’t Dance (Kamera: Daniel Pearl) Michael Jackson – In the Closet (Kamera: Rolf Kestermann) Madonna – Holiday (Truth or Dare version) (Kamera: Toby Phillips) Marky Mark and the Funky Bunch – Good Vibrations (Kamera: Dave Phillips) Metallica – Enter Sandman (Kamera: Martin Coppen) Red Hot Chili Peppers – Give It Away (Kamera: Marco Mazzei) Vanessa L. Williams – Running Back to You (Kamera: Ralph Ziman)10.1993 Harris SavidesMadonna – Rain Duran Duran – Ordinary World (Kamera: Martin Coppen) En Vogue – Free Your Mind (Kamera: Thomas Kloss) k.d. lang – Constant Craving (Kamera: Marc Reshovsky) Sting – If I Ever Lose My Faith in You (Kamera: Ivan Bartos)11.1994Harris SavidesR.E.M. – Everybody Hurts Aerosmith – Amazing (Kamera: Gabriel Beristain) Deep Forest – Sweet Lullaby (Kamera: Tarsem und Denise Milford) Nirvana – Heart-Shaped Box (Kamera: John Mathieson)12.1995Garry Waller und Michael TrimThe Rolling Stones – Love Is Strong Boyz II Men – Water Runs Dry (Kamera: Daniel Pearl) Green Day – Basket Case (Kamera: Adam Beckman) Michael Jackson and Janet Jackson – Scream (Kamera: Harris Savides) Stone Temple Pilots – Interstate Love Song (Kamera: Kevin Kerslake) TLC – Waterfalls (Kamera: Toby Phillips)13.1996Declan QuinnThe Smashing Pumpkins – Tonight, Tonight Brandy (feat. Wanya Morris) – Brokenhearted (Kamera: Martin Coppen) Eric Clapton – Change the World (Kamera: Peter Nydrle und Marco Mazzei) Madonna – You’ll See (Kamera: Adrian Wild)14.1997Stephen Keith-RoachJamiroquai – Virtual Insanity Eels – Novocaine for the Soul (Kamera: Jeff Cronenweth) Nine Inch Nails – The Perfect Drug (Kamera: Jeff Cronenweth) The Smashing Pumpkins – The End Is the Beginning Is the End (Kamera: Declan Quinn)15.1998Harris SavidesFiona Apple – Criminal Garbage – Push It (Kamera: Max Malkin) Madonna – Ray of Light (Kamera: Henrik Halvarsson) Dave Matthews Band – Don’t Drink the Water (Kamera: Checco Varese) Radiohead – Karma Police (Kamera: Stephen Keith-Roach)16.1999Martin CoppenMarilyn Manson – The Dope Show Hole – Malibu (Kamera: Martin Coppen) Korn – Freak on a Leash (Kamera: Julian Whatley) Madonna – Beautiful Stranger (Kamera: Thomas Kloss) Will Smith – Miami (Kamera: Daniel Pearl)17.2000Jeff CronenwethMacy Gray – Do Something Filter – Take a Picture (Kamera: Daniel Pearl) Madonna – American Pie (Kamera: John Mathieson) Metallica – I Disappear (Kamera: David Rudd) Stone Temple Pilots – Sour Girl (Kamera: Martin Coppen)18.2001Lance AcordFatboy Slim – Weapon of Choice Aerosmith – Jaded (Kamera: Thomas Kloss) Missy Elliott – Get Ur Freak On (Kamera: James Hawkinson) Eminem (featuring Dido) – Stan (Kamera: Dariusz Wolski)19.2002Brad RushingMoby – We Are All Made of Stars Missy Misdemeanor Elliott (feat. Ludacris & Trina) – One Minute Man (Kamera: Karsten Crash Gopinath) Alicia Keys – A Woman’s Worth (Kamera: John Perez) Shakira – Whenever, Wherever (Kamera: Pascal Lebègue)20.2003Jean-Yves EscoffierJohnny Cash – Hurt Missy Elliott – Work It (Kamera: Michael Bernard) No Doubt (feat. Lady Saw) – Underneath It All (Kamera: Karsten „Crash“ Gopinath) Radiohead – There There (Kamera: Fred Reed)21.2004Joaquín Baca-AsayJay-Z – 99 Problems Christina Aguilera – The Voice Within (Kamera: Jeff Cronenweth) Beyoncé – Naughty Girl (Kamera: James Hawkinson) No Doubt – It’s My Life (Kamera: Jeff Cronenweth) Yeah Yeah Yeahs – Maps (Kamera: Shawn Kim)22.2005Samuel BayerGreen Day – Boulevard of Broken Dreams Coldplay – Speed of Sound (Kamera: Harris Savides) Modest Mouse – Ocean Breathes Salty (Kamera: Danny Hiele) Simple Plan – Untitled (Kamera: Michael Bernard) U2 – Vertigo (Kamera: Omer Ganai) The White Stripes – Blue Orchid (Kamera: Chris Soos)23.2006Robbie RyanJames Blunt – You’re Beautiful AFI – Miss Murder (Kamera: Welles Hackett) Prince – Black Sweat (Kamera: Checco Varese) Red Hot Chili Peppers – Dani California (Kamera: Tony Kaye) Ashlee Simpson – Invisible (Kamera: Jeff Cutter)–2007nicht vergeben26.2008Wyatt TrollThe White Stripes – Conquest Erykah Badu – Honey (Kamera: Karsten „Crash“ Gopinath) Death Cab for Cutie – I Will Possess Your Heart (Kamera: Aaron Stewart-Ahn und Shawn Kim) Katy Perry – I Kissed a Girl (Kamera: Simon Thirlaway) Pussycat Dolls – When I Grow Up (Kamera: Christopher Probst)27.2009 Jonathan SelaGreen Day – 21 GunsJason Hamilton Beyoncé – Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It) (Kamera: Jim Fealy) Coldplay – Viva la Vida (Kamera: John Perez) Lady Gaga – Paparazzi (Kamera: Eric Broms) Britney Spears – Circus (Kamera: Thomas Kloss)28.2010John PerezJay-Z und Alicia Keys – Empire State of Mind Eminem – Not Afraid (Kamera: Chris Probst) Florence + the Machine – Dog Days Are Over (Kamera: Adam Frisch) Lady Gaga – Bad Romance (Kamera: Thomas Kloss) Mumford & Sons – Little Lion Man (Kamera: Ben Magahy)29.2011Tom TownendAdele – Rolling in the Deep 30 Seconds to Mars – Hurricane (Kamera: Benoît Debie, Jared Leto, Rob Witt und Daniel Carberry) Beyoncé – Run the World (Girls) (Kamera: Jeffrey Kimball) Eminem (featuring Rihanna) – Love the Way You Lie (Kamera: Christopher Probst) Katy Perry – Teenage Dream (Kamera: Paul Laufer)30.2012André ChemetoffM.I.A. – Bad Girls Adele – Someone like You (Kamera: David Johnson) Coldplay (featuring Rihanna) – Princess of China (Kamera: Stéphane Vallée) Lana Del Rey – Born to Die (Kamera: André Chemetoff) Drake (featuring Rihanna) – Take Care (Kamera: Kasper Tuxen)31.2013Jason Koenig, Ryan Lewis und Mego LinMacklemore & Ryan Lewis (featuring Ray Dalton) – Can’t Hold Us 30 Seconds to Mars – Up in the Air (Kamera: David Devlin) A-Trak und Tommy Trash – Tuna Melt (Kamera: TS Pfeffer und Robert McHugh) Lana Del Rey – Ride (Kamera: Malik Sayeed) Yeah Yeah Yeahs – Sacrilege (Kamera: Alexis Zabé)32.2014Darren Lew und Jackson HuntBeyoncé – Pretty Hurts Arcade Fire – Afterlife (Kamera: Evan Prosofsky) Lana Del Rey – West Coast (Kamera: Evan Prosofsky) Gesaffelstein – Hate or Glory (Kamera: Michael Ragen) 30 Seconds to Mars – City of Angels (Kamera: David Devlin)33.2015Larkin SiepleFlying Lotus (featuring Kendrick Lamar) – Never Catch Me Alt-J – Left Hand Free (Kamera: Mike Simpson) FKA Twigs – Two Weeks (Kamera: Justin Brown) Ed Sheeran – Thinking Out Loud (Kamera: Daniel Pearl) Taylor Swift (featuring Kendrick Lamar) – Bad Blood (Kamera: Christopher Probst)34.2016Malik SayeedBeyoncé – Formation Adele – Hello (Kamera: André Turpin) Alesso – I Wanna Know (Kamera: Corey Jennings) David Bowie – Lazarus (Kamera: Crille Forsberg) Ariana Grande – Into You (Kamera: Paul Laufer)35.2017Scott CunninghamKendrick Lamar – Humble Imagine Dragons – Thunder (Kamera: Matthew Wise) Ed Sheeran – Castle on the Hill (Kamera: Steve Annis) DJ Shadow (featuring Run the Jewels) – Nobody Speak (Kamera: David Proctor) Halsey – Now or Never (Kamera: Kristof Brandl)36.2018Benoît DebieThe Carters – Apeshit Alessia Cara – Growing Pains (Kamera: Pau Castejón) Childish Gambino – This Is America (Kamera: Larkin Seiple) Eminem (featuring Ed Sheeran) – River (Kamera: Frank Mobilio und Patrick Meller) Ariana Grande – No Tears Left to Cry (Kamera: Scott Cunningham) Shawn Mendes – In My Blood (Kamera: Jonathan Sela)37.2019Scott CunninghamShawn Mendes and Camila Cabello – Señorita Billie Eilish – Hostage (Kamera: Pau Castejón) Ariana Grande – Thank U, Next (Kamera: Christopher Probst) Anderson .Paak (feat. Kendrick Lamar) – Tints (Kamera: Elias Talbot) Solange – Almeda (Kamera: Chayse Irvin, Ryan Marie Helfant und Justin Hamilton) Taylor Swift (feat. Brendon Urie of Panic! at the Disco) – Me! (Kamera:: Starr Whitesides)38.2020Michael MerrimanLady Gaga with Ariana Grande – Rain on Me 5 Seconds of Summer – Old Me (Kamera: Kieran Fowler) Camila Cabello (featuring DaBaby) – My Oh My (Kamera: Scott Cunningham) Billie Eilish – all the good girls go to hell (Kamera: Christopher Probst) Katy Perry – Harleys in Hawaii (Kamera: Arnau Valls) The Weeknd – Blinding Lights (Kamera: Oliver Millar)39.2021Benoit Soler, Malik H. Sayeed, Mohammaed Atta Ahmed, Santiago Gonzalez und Ryan HelfantBeyoncé, Blue Ivy Carter, Saint Jhn and Wizkid – Brown Skin Girl Billie Eilish – Therefore I Am (Kamera: Rob Witt) Foo Fighters – Shame Shame (Kamera: Santiago Gonzalez) Justin Bieber (featuring Chance the Rapper) – Holy (Kamera: Elias Talbot) Lady Gaga – 911 (Kamera: Jeff Cronenweth) Lorde – Solar Power (Kamera: Andrew Stroud)40.2022Nikita KuzmenkoHarry Styles – As It Was Baby Keem and Kendrick Lamar – Family Ties (Kamera: Bruce Cole) Camila Cabello (featuring Ed Sheeran) – Bam Bam (Kamera: Mia Barnes) Kendrick Lamar – N95 (Kamera: Adam Newport-Berra) Normani (featuring Cardi B) – Wild Side (Kamera: Nikita Kuzmenko)