The Prism Prize, an annual awards event that recognizes outstanding artistry in music video production, announced the winners of the Grand Prize and fan-voted Audience Award today during a live screening and awards presentation at the TIFF Bell Lightbox in Toronto. The $20,000 Grand Prize for Canadian music video of the year, selected by a jury of more than 135 creatives leading and innovating the Canadian music, film and media arts scenes, went to “Damn Right” by artists Snotty Nose Rez Kids and director Sterling Larose.
The $5,000 Audience Award (supported by Stingray) went to artist Dan Mangan and director Lester Lyons-Hookham for their music video “Fire Escape.”
The 2023 Prism Prize screening and awards presentation, hosted by stand-up comedian Moe Ismail, brought together some of the top minds and talents in the Canadian music scene today. The evening paid tribute to the exceptional artistry showcased within the Top 10 Canadian music videos of the year which explored complicated and compelling themes of racism, discrimination, violence, sexuality, heartbreak, justice, and self-expression.
“The deeply engaging music videos that were created by the 2023 Prism Prize Top 10 artists and directors prove that the artform continues to reach new heights, and we are thrilled to have celebrated their incredible work tonight at the 2023 Prism Prize,” said Louis Calabro, Vice-President, Programming & Awards, at the Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television and the Founder of Prism Prize.
“The Grand Prize-winning video for ‘Damn Right’ is the perfect example of this; offering viewers a three-and-a-half minute journey paying homage to the iconic legacy of The Beatles in a visually stunning and colourful way. Congratulations to Snotty Nose Rez Kids and Sterling Larose on their well-deserved win.”
In addition to the Grand Prize and Audience Award, the 2023 Prism Prize live screening and awards presentation celebrated the 2023 Special Award recipients, who are honoured for their achievements and contributions to the music industry, both in Canada and abroad:
- Canadian singer-songwriter, Nemahsis, was presented with the Hi-Fidelity Award (supported by FACTOR, the Government of Canada and Canada’s Private Radio Broadcasters), established to recognize recording artists who utilize music videos in innovative ways;
- Montréal-based director Aimé Irabahaye was awarded the Lipsett Award, established to celebrate a unique approach to music video art;
- Montréal-based photographer and director, Adrian Villagomez, was granted the Special Achievement Award (supported by The Slaight Family Foundation) established to recognize an exceptional contribution to music video art on the world stage;
- Award-winning Toronto-based director, Sara Elgamal, was given the Willie Dunn Award (supported by Telefilm Canada), presented to a Canadian trailblazer who has demonstrated excellence within the music, music video and/or film production communities. As the recipient of this award, Sara received a $2,500 honorarium and was asked to select an emerging Canadian creative to spotlight during the Prism Prize live screening and awards presentation and to be the beneficiary of $2,500; she selected Toronto-based producer, Roya Del Sol.
All other creative teams from the Top 10 will receive complimentary memberships to the Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television, courtesy of Telefilm Canada. All Prism Prize Award recipients, including the Grand Prize, Audience Award, and all Special Award winners, will receive equipment rental grants in the amount of $2,500, courtesy of partners at William F. White International Inc.
To watch music video work from this year’s Special Awards recipients and Top 10 finalists, as well as hundreds of other eligible videos from years past, visit PrismPrize.com.
About Prism Prize
The Prism Prize is an annual event that recognizes outstanding artistry in music video production through a slate of awards including the Grand Prize, which carries the largest cash prize in the world for music videos. Established in 2012, this annual honour gathers a jury of more than 130 Canadian arts professionals who vote to crown one video as best of the year. Previous winners of the Grand Prize have included Mustafa for his self-directed music video Ali (2022), Theo Kapodistrias for Haviah Mighty’s Thirteen (2021), Peter Huang for Jessie Reyez’s Far Away (2020), and Emily Kai Bock for Arcade Fire’s Afterlife (2014).
The Prism Prize is a division of the Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television, an organization that shares the common goal of promoting and supporting homegrown Canadian creative projects while inspiring and developing the next generation of talent.
Prism Prize proudly acknowledges its Lead Partners, Telefilm Canada, FACTOR and the Government of Canada, and Canada’s Private Radio Broadcasters, and The Slaight Family Foundation, as well as its Supporting Partners, William F. White International Inc. and Stingray.
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