2021 Prism Prize Nominees Announced

By FYI Staff

The Prism Prize has announced the Top 20 Canadian music videos of the year eligible for the 2021 Grand Prize, as voted by a jury of more than 130 Canadian music, film, and media arts professionals. The Grand Prize winner will be awarded $20,000 as part of a virtual presentation on Monday, July 26, 2021 at 8 pm ET, streamed live on the Prism Prize Twitter and YouTube channels, as well as PrismPrize.com.

The 2021 Prism Prize Top 20 (in alphabetical order):

Andy Shauf - Clove Cigarette (Directors: Colin Medley & Jared Raab)

Aquakultre - Pay It Forward (Directors: Evan Elliot & Lance Sampson)

Braids - Young Buck (Director: Kevin Calero)

Clairmont The Second - DUN (Director: Clairmont The Second)

Daniela Andrade - Tamale (Directors: Justin Singer & Daniela Andrade)

Haviah Mighty - Thirteen (Director: Theo Kapodistrias)

Jessie Reyez - Love In The Dark (Director: Se Oh)

July Talk - Governess Shadow (Director: Cosette Schulz)

Kandle - Lock and Load (Director: Brandon William Fletcher)

Lido Pimienta - Nada (feat. Li Saumet) (Director: Paz Ramirez)

Mustafa - Air Forces (Directors: Glenn Michael & Christo)

Mustafa - Stay Alive (Director: King Bee Productions)

Rich Aucoin - Walls (Director: Jason Levangie)

Savannah Ré - Opia Experience (Director: Yasmin Evering-Kerr)

Savannah Ré - Solid (Director: Alicia K. Harris)

Sean Leon - 90 BPM (Director: Sean Leon)

The Weather Station - Robber (Director: Tamara Lindeman)

TOBi - 24 (Toronto Remix) (Director: Kit Weyman)

U.S. Girls - 4 American Dollars (Directors: Emily Pelstring & Meg Remy)

Witch Prophet - Tesfay (Director: Leah Vlemmiks)

View the Top 20 Canadian music videos of the year eligible for the 2021 Prism Prize here.  

“As music industry disruptions persist, we are proud to shine a spotlight on these important works," said Louis Calabro, VP of Programming & Awards at the Canadian Academy and Founder of Prism Prize, in a press release.

More than 300 eligible Canadian music videos were submitted, with the Top Ten shortlist set to be announced on June 9. Previous Grand Prize winners include Peter Huang for Jessie Reyez’s Far Away, and Fantavious Fritz for Charlotte Day Wilson’s Work.  Members of the public can vote for their favourite video from the Top 20 to help determine the recipient of this year’s Audience Award. Vote now through June 23 at  prismprize.com

Several Special Award recipients will be unveiled prior to the virtual presentation on July 26. These include the Hi-Fidelity Award, supported by FACTOR; the Lipsett Award; the Special Achievement Award, presented by Slaight Music; and the Willie Dunn Award, supported by Telefilm Canada.

Slaight Music is the Patron Partner of Prism Prize, Telefilm Canada and FACTOR are Lead Partners, and William F. White International Inc. is its Supporting Partner.