CADENCE MUSIC VIDEO FESTIVAL: THE BAY AREA’S PREMIER CELEBRATION OF EMERGING MUSIC VIDEO TALENT

The Cadence Music Video Festival was born in Oakland, California, with a mission to break the cycle where music video directors rush from one project to the next without ever pausing to appreciate the art they’ve created. This festival is about slowing down, looking closer, and giving independent filmmakers the recognition they deserve.

We’re here to shine a spotlight on directors with bold ideas and distinct voices—the ones who don’t settle for cookie-cutter client work or the bare minimum. We want your most ambitious projects, the videos where you pushed past your comfort zone and took creative risks. Don’t play it safe—this is your chance to show work that’s visionary and fully realized.

The CMV Festival is proudly Bay Area–based, with our screening taking place in Oakland, CA. While we put a strong emphasis on uplifting local Bay Area talent, we welcome submissions from filmmakers all over the world who are redefining what music videos can be.

Our judges will evaluate videos based on:

- Cultural relevance and impact.
- Creativity and innovation that push boundaries.
- Excellence in low-budget production.
- Excellence in high-budget production.
- Marketability within the music industry.
- The extent to which visuals elevate or transform the song.

At Cadence, the focus isn’t on the biggest artist or the catchiest track—it’s on the director’s vision, intention, and craft.

👉 Learn more: blinktone.com/film-festival

Awards & Prizes

Video of the Year (Judge Selection)
Best Run and Gun (Judge Selection)
Best Editing (Judge Selection)
Audience Choice (Audience Voted)

Rules & Terms

Submission Guidelines

- To enter the festival, you must be the director or producer of the submitted video. If you are submitting on behalf of someone else, you must have written permission from the director.
- For the first round of submissions, a YouTube link is acceptable. If your video is selected, you will need to provide a .mp4 or .mov file.
- Videos must be 4 minutes or less in length to qualify.

Bay Area Category Eligibility

To qualify for the Bay Area Category, at least one of the following must apply:

- The director, producer, or editor is from the Bay Area (or Northern California) or currently resides there.
- The video has strong cultural ties to the Bay Area or Northern California.
- The video was filmed in the Bay Area.
- The artist featured in the video is from the Bay Area.

If your project does not meet these criteria, please submit under the Non–Bay Area Category.