Awards & Winners

MTV Video Music Award for Best Direction

MTV Video Music Award

The following is a list of MTV Video Music Awards winners for Best Direction in a Video. In 2007, the award was briefly renamed Best Director, but it returned to its original name for the 2008 awards. The category's biggest winner, on the side of the artists, is Madonna, who won all three of her nominations in this category. Meanwhile, for the directors, Spike Jonze and David Fincher are the biggest winners with three wins, Spike Jonze won once credited as the "Torrance Community Dance Group". As for nominations, the most nominated artist is Eminem, who has seven nominations, while the most nominated is David Fincher, with eight nominations. Remarkably, Fincher's nominations were achieved mostly in three years, as in each year of 1989 and 1990 he was nominated a record three times. Fincher's latest nomination, though, occurred over twenty years later, as he received a nomination in 2013 for his video for "Suit & Tie, which he won." Francis Lawrence is the second biggest nominee in this category, receiving six nominations from 2002 to 2010. Hype Williams is the director with most nominations and no wins.
Date Established : 1984

Check all the winners of MTV Video Music Award for Best Direction presented under MTV Video Music Award since 1984 .


DJ Snake, Lil Jon

Honored for : Turn Down For What
(Directors: DANIELS)

Nominations 2014 »

Nominee Nominated Work
Beyoncé Knowles Pretty Hurts
Director: Melina Matsoukas
DJ Snake Turn Down For What
Directors: DANIELS
Lil Jon Turn Down For What
Directors: DANIELS
Eminem The Monster
Director: Rich Lee
Rihanna The Monster
Director: Rich Lee
Miley Cyrus Wrecking Ball
Director: Terry Richardson
OK Go The Writing\u2019s On The Wall
Directors: Damian Kulash, Aaron Duffy & Bob Partington

Justin Timberlake, Jay-Z, David Fincher

Honored for : Suit & Tie
(Director: David Fincher)

Nominations 2013 »

Nominee Nominated Work
Drake Started from the Bottom
Directors: Director X and Drake
Director X Started from the Bottom
Directors: Director X and Drake
Fun Carry On
Director: Anthony Mandler
Anthony Mandler Carry On
Director: Anthony Mandler
Macklemore Can't Hold Us
Directors: Ryan Lewis, Jason Koenig and Jon Jon Augustavo
Ryan Lewis Can't Hold Us
Directors: Ryan Lewis, Jason Koenig and Jon Jon Augustavo
Ray Dalton Can't Hold Us
Directors: Ryan Lewis, Jason Koenig and Jon Jon Augustavo
Jason Koenig Can't Hold Us
Directors: Ryan Lewis, Jason Koenig and Jon Jon Augustavo
Jon Jon Augustavo Can't Hold Us
Directors: Ryan Lewis, Jason Koenig and Jon Jon Augustavo
Yeah Yeah Yeahs Sacrilege
Director: Megaforce
Megaforce Sacrilege
Director: Megaforce
Justin Timberlake Suit & Tie
Director: David Fincher
Jay-Z Suit & Tie
Director: David Fincher
David Fincher Suit & Tie
Director: David Fincher

M.I.A.

Honored for : Bad Girls
(Director: Romain Gavras)

Nominations 2012 »

Nominee Nominated Work
M.I.A. Bad Girls
Director: Romain Gavras
Coldplay Princess of China
Directors: Adria Petty and Alan Bibby
Rihanna Princess of China
Directors: Adria Petty and Alan Bibby
Duck Sauce Big Bad Wolf
Director: Keith Schofield
Frank Ocean Swim Good
Director: Nabil Elderkin
Jay-Z Otis
Director: Spike Jonze
Kanye West Otis
Director: Spike Jonze
Otis Redding Otis
Director: Spike Jonze

Beastie Boys

Honored for : Make Some Noise
(Director: Adam Yauch)

Nominations 2011 »

Nominee Nominated Work
Beastie Boys Make Some Noise
Director: Adam Yauch
Adele Rolling In The Deep
Director: Sam Brown
Eminem Love the Way You Lie
Director: Joseph Kahn
Katy Perry E.T.
Director: Floria Sigismondi
30 Seconds to Mars Hurricane
Director: Bartholomew Cubbins

Lady Gaga

Honored for : Bad Romance
(Director: Francis Lawrence)

Nominations 2010 »

Nominee Nominated Work
Eminem Not Afraid
Director: Rich Lee
Lady Gaga Bad Romance
Director: Francis Lawrence
P!nk Funhouse
Director: Dave Meyers
30 Seconds to Mars Kings and Queens
Director: Bartholomew Cubbins
Jay-Z Empire State of Mind
Director: Hype Williams
Alicia Keys Empire State of Mind
Director: Hype Williams

Green Day

Honored for : 21 Guns
(Director: Marc Webb)

Nominations 2009 »

Nominee Nominated Work
Cobra Starship Good Girls Go Bad
Director: Kai Regan
Leighton Meester Good Girls Go Bad
Director: Kai Regan
Green Day 21 Guns
Director: Marc Webb
Beyoncé Knowles Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It)
Director: Jake Nava
Lady Gaga Paparazzi
Director: Jonas Åkerlund
Britney Spears Circus
Director: Francis Lawrence

Erykah Badu

Honored for : Honey
(Directed by Erykah Badu and Mr. Roboto)

Nominations 2008 »

Nominee Nominated Work
Linkin Park Shadow of the Day
Directed by Joe Hahn
Panic! at the Disco Nine in the Afternoon
Directed by Shane Drake
The Pussycat Dolls When I Grow Up
Directed by Joseph Kahn
Rihanna Take a Bow
Directed by Anthony Mandler
Erykah Badu Honey
Directed by Erykah Badu and Mr. Roboto

Justin Timberlake

Honored for : What Goes Around.../...Comes Around
(Directed by Samuel Bayer)

Nominations 2007 »

Nominee Nominated Work
Justin Timberlake What Goes Around.../...Comes Around
Directed by Samuel Bayer
Beyoncé Knowles Beautiful Liar
Directed by Jake Nava
Shakira Beautiful Liar
Directed by Jake Nava
Rihanna Umbrella
Directed by Chris Applebaum
Jay-Z Umbrella
Directed by Chris Applebaum
Linkin Park What I've Done
Directed by Joseph Hahn
Kanye West Stronger
Directed by Hype Williams
Christina Aguilera Candyman
Directed by Matthew Rolston and Christina Aguilera

Gnarls Barkley

Honored for : Crazy
(Directed by Robert Hales)

Nominations 2006 »

Nominee Nominated Work
10 Years Wasteland
Directed by Kevin Kerslake
Common Testify
Directed by Anthony Mandler
Gnarls Barkley Crazy
Directed by Robert Hales
AFI Miss Murder
Directed by Marc Webb
Red Hot Chili Peppers Dani California
Directed by Tony Kaye

Green Day

Honored for : Boulevard of Broken Dreams
(Directed by Samuel Bayer)

Nominations 2005 »

Nominee Nominated Work
U2 Vertigo
Directors: Alex and Martin
The White Stripes Blue Orchid
Director: Floria Sigismondi
Green Day Boulevard of Broken Dreams
Directed by Samuel Bayer
Jennifer Lopez Get Right
Directors: Francis Lawrence and Diane Martel
Missy Elliott Lose Control
Directors: Dave Meyers and Missy Elliott
Ciara Lose Control
Directors: Dave Meyers and Missy Elliott
Fatman Scoop Lose Control
Directors: Dave Meyers and Missy Elliott

Jay-Z

Honored for : 99 Problems
(Director: Mark Romanek)

Nominations 2004 »

Nominee Nominated Work
Jay-Z 99 Problems
Director: Mark Romanek
No Doubt It's My Life
Director: David LaChapelle
Steriogram Walkie Talkie Man
Director: Michel Gondry
Outkast Hey Ya!
Director: Bryan Barber
The White Stripes The Hardest Button to Button
Director: Michel Gondry

Coldplay

Honored for : The Scientist
(Director: Jamie Thraves)

Nominations 2003 »

Nominee Nominated Work
Sum 41 The Hell Song
Director: Marc Klasfeld
Justin Timberlake Cry Me a River
Director: Francis Lawrence
Missy Elliott Work It
Director: Dave Meyers and Missy Elliott
Coldplay The Scientist
Director: Jamie Thraves
Johnny Cash Hurt
Director: Mark Romanek

Eminem

Honored for : Without Me
(Director: Joseph Kahn)

Nominations 2002 »

Nominee Nominated Work
Elton John This Train Don't Stop There Anymore
Director: David LaChapelle
Red Hot Chili Peppers By the Way
Directors: Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris
P.O.D. Alive
Director: Francis Lawrence
Missy Elliott One Minute Man
Director: Dave Meyers
Ludacris One Minute Man
Director: Dave Meyers
Trina One Minute Man
Director: Dave Meyers
Eminem Without Me
Director: Joseph Kahn

Fatboy Slim

Honored for : Weapon of Choice
(Director: Spike Jonze)

Nominations 2001 »

Nominee Nominated Work
R.E.M. Imitation of Life
Director: Garth Jennings
Fatboy Slim Weapon of Choice
Director: Spike Jonze
Dido Stan
Directors: Dr. Dre and Phillip Atwell
Eminem Stan
Directors: Dr. Dre and Phillip Atwell
Outkast Ms. Jackson
Director: F. Gary Gray
Linkin Park Crawling
Directors: Brothers Strause

Red Hot Chili Peppers

Honored for : Californication
(Directors: Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris)

Nominations 2000 »

Nominee Nominated Work
Eminem The Real Slim Shady
Directors: Dr. Dre and Phillip Atwell
D'Angelo Untitled (How Does It Feel)
Directors: Paul Hunter and Dominique Trenier
Red Hot Chili Peppers Californication
Directors: Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris
Foo Fighters Learn To Fly
Director: Jesse Peretz
Lauryn Hill Everything Is Everything
Director: Sanji

Fatboy Slim

Honored for : Praise You
(Director: Torrance Community Dance Group)

Nominations 1999 »

Nominee Nominated Work
Busta Rhymes What's It Gonna Be?!
Directors: Hype Williams and Busta Rhymes
Janet Jackson What's It Gonna Be?!
Directors: Hype Williams and Busta Rhymes
TLC No Scrubs
Director: Hype Williams
Korn Freak On A Leash
Directors: Todd McFarlane, Graham Morris, Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris
Fatboy Slim Praise You
Director: Torrance Community Dance Group
Eminem My Name Is
Directors: Dr. Dre and Phillip Atwell

Madonna

Honored for : Ray of Light
(Director: Jonas Åkerlund)

Nominations 1998 »

Nominee Nominated Work
Wyclef Jean Gone Till November
Director: Francis Lawrence
Refugee Camp Allstars Gone Till November
Director: Francis Lawrence
Madonna Ray of Light
Director: Jonas Åkerlund
Garbage Push It
Director: Andrea Giacobbe
The Prodigy Smack My Bitch Up
Director: Jonas Åkerlund
Radiohead Karma Police
Director: Jonathan Glazer

Beck Hansen

Honored for : The New Pollution
(Director: Beck Hansen)

Nominations 1997 »

Nominee Nominated Work
Nine Inch Nails The Perfect Drug
Director: Mark Romanek
Beck Hansen The New Pollution
Director: Beck Hansen
Jamiroquai Virtual Insanity
Director: Jonathan Glazer
Missy Elliott The Rain (Supa Dupa Fly)
Director: Hype Williams
The Smashing Pumpkins The End Is The Beginning Is The End
Directors: Joel Schumacher, Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris

The Smashing Pumpkins

Honored for : Tonight, Tonight
(Directors: Valerie Faris and Jonathan Dayton)

Nominations 1996 »

Nominee Nominated Work
The Smashing Pumpkins Tonight, Tonight
Directors: Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris
Alanis Morissette Ironic
Direction: Stéphane Sednaoui
Björk It's Oh So Quiet
Director: Spike Jonze
Foo Fighters Big Me
Director: Jesse Peretz

Weezer

Honored for : Buddy Holly
(Director: Spike Jonze)

Nominations 1995 »

Nominee Nominated Work
TLC Waterfalls
Director: F. Gary Gray
Janet Jackson Scream
Director: Mark Romanek
Michael Jackson Scream
Director: Mark Romanek
Green Day Basket Case
Director: Mark Kohr
Weezer Buddy Holly
Director: Spike Jonze

R.E.M.

Honored for : Everybody Hurts
(Director: Jake Scott)

Nominations 1994 »

Nominee Nominated Work
Aerosmith Amazing
Director: Marty Callner
R.E.M. Everybody Hurts
Director: Jake Scott)
Beastie Boys Sabotage
Director: Spike Jonze
Deep Forest Sweet Lullaby
Director: Tarsem

Pearl Jam

Honored for : Jeremy
(Director: Mark Pellington)

Nominations 1993 »

Nominee Nominated Work
En Vogue Free Your Mind
Director: Mark Romanek
Pearl Jam Jeremy
Director: Mark Pellington
Los Lobos Kiko and the Lavender Moon
Director: Ondrej Rudavsky
R.E.M. Man on the Moon
Director: Peter Care

Van Halen

Honored for : Right Now
(Director: Mark Fenske)

Nominations 1992 »

Nominee Nominated Work
Van Halen Right Now
Director: Mark Fenske
Red Hot Chili Peppers Give It Away
Director: Stéphane Sednaoui
Sir Mix-a-Lot Baby Got Back
Director: Adam Bernstein
En Vogue My Lovin' (You're Never Gonna Get It)
Director: Matthew Rolston

R.E.M.

Honored for : Losing My Religion
(Director: Tarsem)

Nominations 1991 »

Nominee Nominated Work
Chris Isaak Wicked Game
Director: Herb Ritts
George Michael Freedom! '90
Director: David Fincher
Queensrÿche Silent Lucidity
Director: Matt Mahurin
R.E.M. Losing My Religion
Director: Tarsem

Madonna

Honored for : Vogue
(Director: David Fincher)

Nominations 1990 »

Nominee Nominated Work
Aerosmith Janie's Got A Gun
Director: David Fincher
Madonna Vogue
Director: David Fincher
Don Henley The End of the Innocence
Director: David Fincher
Paula Abdul Opposites Attract
Directors: Michael Patterson and Candace Reckinger

Madonna

Honored for : Express Yourself
(Director: David Fincher)

Nominations 1989 »

Nominee Nominated Work
Madonna Express Yourself
Director: David Fincher
Jody Watley Real Love
Director: David Fincher
Steve Winwood Roll With It
Director: David Fincher
Van Halen Finish What Ya Started
Director: Andy Morahan
DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince Parents Just Don't Understand
Director: Scott Kalvert

George Michael

Honored for : Father Figure
(Directors: Andy Morahan and George Michael)

Nominations 1988 »

Nominee Nominated Work
Eurythmics You Have Placed A Chill In My Heart
Director: Sophie Muller
XTC Dear God
Director: Nicholas Brandt
Pink Floyd Learning to Fly
Director: Storm Thorgerson
R.E.M. The One I Love
Director: Robert Longo
George Michael Father Figure
Directors: Andy Morahan and George Michael

Peter Gabriel

Honored for : Sledgehammer
(Director: Stephen R. Johnson)

Nominations 1987 »

Nominee Nominated Work
Peter Gabriel Sledgehammer
Director: Stephen R. Johnson
U2 With or Without You
Director: Meiert Avis
Crowded House Don't Dream It's Over
Director: Alex Proyas
Genesis Land Of Confusion
Directors: Jim Yukich and John Lloyd
Steve Winwood Higher Love
Directors: Peter Kagan and Paula Greif

A-ha

Honored for : Take on Me
(Director: Steven Barron)

Nominations 1986 »

Nominee Nominated Work
A-ha Take on Me
Director: Steven Barron
Pat Benatar Sex as a Weapon
Director: Daniel Kleinman
X Burning House of Love
Director: Daniel Kleinman
Dire Straits Money For Nothing
Director: Steven Barron
ZZ Top Rough Boy
Director: Steven Barron

Don Henley

Honored for : The Boys of Summer
(Director: Jean-Baptiste Mondino)

Nominations 1985 »

Nominee Nominated Work
Bryan Adams Run to You
Director: Steven Barron
Simple Minds Don't You (Forget About Me)
Director: Daniel Kleinman
Chris Isaak Dancin'
Director: Mary Lambert
Toto Stranger in Town
Director: Steven Barron
Duran Duran The Wild Boys
Director: Russell Mulcahy
Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers Don't Come Around Here No More
Director: Jeff Stein
Don Henley The Boys of Summer
Director: Jean-Baptiste Mondino

ZZ Top

Honored for : Sharp Dressed Man
(Director: Tim Newman)

Nominations 1984 »

Nominee Nominated Work
The Police Every Breath You Take
Directors: Godley & Creme
Ian Hunter All of the Good Ones Are Taken
Director: Martin Kahan
The Bongos Numbers with Wings
Director: Juliano Waldman
ZZ Top Sharp Dressed Man
Director: Tim Newman
Huey Lewis & the News I Want a New Drug
Director: David Rathod
Cyndi Lauper Time After Time
Director: Edd Griles
Billy Idol Dancing with Myself
Director: Tobe Hooper
ZZ Top Gimme All Your Lovin'
Director: Tim Newman