Oulun Music Video Festival launches its first European music video completion
The world’s oldest music video festival, Oulu Music Video Festival (OMVF), is launching its first European music video competition, the OMVF European Music Video Competition. The competition is a continuation of the Nordic Music Video Competition successfully held in 2025.
Submissions are open via FilmFreeway until 8 June, 2026. An independent jury will select 15 outstanding music videos from all submissions to be screened as part of the official competition programme. The selected works compete for the title of Best European Music Video at the festival and will be screened during the festival which takes place 27–30 August. The winner will receive a prize designed by artist Toivo Heinimäki, as well as a Genelec 8351B SAM™ studio monitor pair, provided by Genelec, with an approximate value of €8,000.
The OMVF European Music Video Competition is part of the official programme of Oulu 2026 – European Capital of Culture, and will position Oulu as a key focal point for European music video culture in 2026.
More information about eligible countries and submission guidelines can be found at this link.
OMVF’s long-running national music video competition, held annually since 1994, will be organised separately. Submissions for the national competition will open later in early 2026. The festival programme also includes music video and film screenings, industry programme, exhibitions and audiovisual afterparties.
The full festival programme and detailed competition schedules will be announced at a later date.
