Summary
- The 2026 MTV VMAs recognized different music videos across the key professional image-making categories.
- Madonna won cinematography, Sabrina Carpenter won editing and Ariana Grande won visual effects.
- PinkPantheress won art direction and Taylor Swift won direction.
- The article brings together the creators behind each award and all five official music videos.
- Best Cinematography: Madonna — “Confessions II – The Film”
- Best Editing: Sabrina Carpenter — “House Tour”
- Best Visual Effects: Ariana Grande — “hate that i made you love me”
- Best Art Direction: PinkPantheress — “Stateside + Zara Larsson”
- Best Direction: Taylor Swift — “Opalite”
- What we think
- Frequently asked questions
The 2026 MTV Video Music Awards recognized five different music videos across the key professional categories most directly connected to image-making: direction, art direction, cinematography, editing and visual effects.
At the September 27 awards, Madonna won Best Cinematography for “Confessions II – The Film,” Sabrina Carpenter won Best Editing for “House Tour,” Ariana Grande won Best Visual Effects for “hate that i made you love me,” PinkPantheress won Best Art Direction for “Stateside + Zara Larsson,” and Taylor Swift won Best Direction for “Opalite.”
For visual creators, the most interesting part is the people behind those wins: MTV lists these as Professional Categories rather than fan-voted awards.
Best Cinematography: Madonna — “Confessions II – The Film”
Best Cinematography went to Madonna’s “Confessions II – The Film,” with Daniel Landin credited as director of photography. The official video credits TORSO as director, DIVISION as the production company and Arthur de Borman as production designer.
The project had a strong presence across the professional categories, but the cinematography award is especially relevant to PTTL because it directly recognizes the work of the cinematographer and the film’s broader visual construction.
Best Editing: Sabrina Carpenter — “House Tour”
Sabrina Carpenter’s “House Tour” won Best Editing. MTV credits Sofia Kerpan at Modern Post, while the official video lists Sabrina Carpenter and Margaret Qualley as directors, Chris Ripley as director of photography and Miranda Lorenz as production designer.
The win is particularly interesting because editing functions as a major driver of rhythm and comic timing while also organizing a production built around strongly designed spaces and constant movement through the “house tour.”
Best Visual Effects: Ariana Grande — “hate that i made you love me”
Ariana Grande won Best Visual Effects for “hate that i made you love me.” MTV credits Mathematic Studio, Hadi Dahrouge and Jehan Bouazza in the category, while the official video credits Mathematic for FX.
The video was directed by Christian Breslauer, with cinematography by Janusz Kamiński, production design by Taisa Malouf and editing by Luis Caraza. Cinematography, production design and post production are tightly integrated here, with VFX operating as part of the overall visual language rather than as a separate layer of spectacle.
Best Art Direction: PinkPantheress — “Stateside + Zara Larsson”
PinkPantheress’ “Stateside + Zara Larsson” won Best Art Direction. MTV credits Furmaan Ahmed for the professional category; in the official music video credits he is listed as production designer, with Isabella Furness as art director.
Charlotte Rutherford directed the video and Jack Hamilton served as director of photography. Strongly designed sets, styling and graphic elements make the art department central to the clip’s visual identity.
Best Direction: Taylor Swift — “Opalite”
Taylor Swift won Best Direction for “Opalite,” directing the music video herself. The official video credits Jil Hardin as producer, Chancler Haynes as editor and Taylor Swift Productions Inc. and Merman as the production companies.
The win came in the same year the VMAs introduced the inaugural Artist Director Honors for Swift, recognizing her continuing work behind the camera and her contribution to music-video direction.
What we think
The VMAs’ professional categories are most useful to visual creators when attention shifts from the artist name to the crew credits. Cinematography, editing, production design, art direction and VFX show how collaborative the construction of a modern music video is. These five winning clips are useful references for anyone working in cinematography, post production or visual storytelling.
Frequently asked questions
Which music video won Best Cinematography at the 2026 VMAs?
Madonna’s “Confessions II – The Film” won Best Cinematography, with Daniel Landin as director of photography.
Which video won Best Editing?
Sabrina Carpenter’s “House Tour” won Best Editing, with MTV crediting Sofia Kerpan at Modern Post.
Which video won Best Visual Effects?
Ariana Grande’s “hate that i made you love me” won Best Visual Effects, with category credits for Mathematic Studio, Hadi Dahrouge and Jehan Bouazza.
Who won Art Direction and Direction?
PinkPantheress’ “Stateside + Zara Larsson” won Best Art Direction, while Taylor Swift’s “Opalite” won Best Direction.
