In our final playlist of our review of 2025, we present the rest of our pick of the directors who made a big impact in music videos last year.These are Hot Directors - the serial creators of music video content last year who were, and will continue to be, in high demand for their skills. Each of these directors had at least three projects featured in Promonews in 2025 - which probably knocked out a few other contenders for the Hot status, but that's the way this cookie crumbles.So here we go with the remaining Hot Directors of 2025... Billy KingJADE 'Church' by Billy KingBilly King's emergence as an exciting young British director continued apace last year with his projects for Sasha Keable, regular collaborator AntsLive and then for the ever-adventurous JADE with the flamboyant video for Church. He also signed to CANADA in London last year, opening the way to the next stage of a career which began as the producer of Tom Emmerson's acclaimed videos for AntsLive. Sponsor banners: CANADA, Trim Editing Dora PaphidesPerrie 'If He Wanted To He Would' by Dora PaphidesDora Paphides has established herself as one of the go-to directors for mainstream British pop videos, her productive 2025 including two videos each for former Little Mix's Perrie - including the enjoyable comedy If He Wanted To He Would - and the evergreen Sugababes. And in common with a few more of the up and coming generation of directors she's also a successful photographer.Sponsor banner: KODE, Mouthpiece ReltaSekou 'Never Gunna Give You Up' by ReltaEmerging as an exciting proposition among the new wave of music video directors, Relta continued where he left off in 2024 with a prolific output of work notable for the range of artists, from Jessie Reyez to Royel Otis to Kojey Radical and then rounding off the year working with exciting new R&B artist Sekou. The common denominator is a director with loads of talent and a real natural feel for the medium. Sponsor banner: The Corner Shop The ReidsRAYE 'Where Is My Husband!' by The ReidsWilliam and Ed Reid have established their credentials with their ongoing series of videos for Mura Masa and that continued last year with three more. They also took a break from Mura Masa to work with Peggy Gou and RAYE, and delivering compelling visual worlds tailored to both artists.Sponsor banner: Anonymous Content India Rose HarrisConfidence Man & JADE 'Gossip' by India Rose HarrisIndia Rose Harris has been an integral part in Confidence Man's rise to become arguably the most popular dance act in the UK. Her work is a perfect reflection of the Aussie duo's energy, sassiness, humour and, where necessary, sense of melodrama. Their trajectories have been intertwined for a couple of years, so where is India heading next? We're looking forward to finding out. Sponsor banner: Stink Films Charlotte RutherfordZara Larsson 'Pretty Ugly' by Charlotte RutherfordCharlotte Rutherford roared back in 2025 with some top quality music visual confectionery, launching album campaigns for both PinkPantheress and Zara Larsson, raising the game for both artists. Then she let her imagination run riot with Isabella Lovestory, making the wonderfully trashy Telenovela on a relative shoestring. She puts sexy and funny together pretty much better than anyone. Mitch RyanCharli xcx ft John Cale 'House' by Mitch RyanMitch is in the first rank of American music video directors, a trusted collaborator of several artists at the cutting edge of pop - and simply super-cool. He has paid a crucial part in the creative evolution of Addison Rae from influencer to proper pop star, with his videos in 2025 for High Fashion and Headphones On. Then he reunited with Charli xcx to create a stunning visual for her leftfield collaboration with John Cale. Very classy stuff. Charlie SarsfieldYungblud 'Lovesick Lullaby' by Charlie SarsfieldThe return of Yungblud heralded a lively year for Charlie Sarsfield, who brings the best out of the Doncaster lad also known as Dom Harrison - and several other British male pop stars for that matter, including Lewis Capaldi. He did a great job with Lovesick Lullaby, YB's Britpop-inspired romp that somehow didn't show up anywhere at the UKMVAs last year. But they have gone from strength to strength, working with Florence Pugh on Zombie and YB is now about to crack America, with the help of Billy Corgan and Aerosmith. Colin Solal CardoWolf Alice 'Bloom Baby Bloom' by Colin Solal CardoHe started the year completing a suite of videos for Olly Alexander and then came Wolf Alice. Working with choreographer Ryan Heffington for the first time since a major Christine & The Queens project in 2019, Sola Cardo masterminded a visual reset for Wolf Alice's new direction, with a perfectly pitched video for the album's first single. It transformed lead singer Ellie Rowsell into a pop star - while winning a Best Rock Video award at the UKMVAs. Sponsor banner: Stink Films Bardia ZeinaliSabrina Carpenter 'Tears' by Bardia ZeinaliBardia Zeinali cemented his position in the top echelon of US pop video directors with promos in 2025 for some of the top global stars: Tate McCrea - including her F1 tie-in song Just Keep Watching, the LISA, Doja Cat and RAYE team-up on Born Again, and another one for Doja Cat. Then he reunited with Sabrina on the super Rocky Horror-inspired video for Tears, co-starring Colman Domingo. Like Sabrina, he is very good at giving people what they want.Sponsor banner: Anonymous Content Best of 2025... THAT'S ALL FOLKS!

Martin Pihlap directs the hypnotic yet intimate music video for LA-based Estonian artist Mihhail Zigadlo.The director - his video for Jessica2010's Week Ago gained a Newcomer nomination at last year's UKMVAs, and he recently signed to Pulse in London - has shot the video for Dream Blunt as a behind the scenes glimpse into a spontaneous recording session, capturing Mihhail with an unfiltered, dream-esque lens.Embracing lo-fi intimacy, Pihlap’s direction takes the video to another level with trippy visual textures punctuated by surreal moments including recurring imagery of a mysterious owl. Filmed in Estonian countryside, the forest landscape is an almost hallucinatory backdrop to reflect Mihhail's soothing, Autotune-enhanced vocals.

Stitch Editing has announced that acclaimed multi-award winner editor Adam Spivey is joining its roster.Spivey is one of the UK's most respected editors, with a body of work that spans commercials, short films and television. With over 30 years experience in the industry, his reel reflects long-standing collaborations with leading directors including Gary Freedman (MJZ), Tim McNaughton (Arts & Sciences), Si&Ad (Academy Films), Simon Ratigan (Rogue), and Traktor (Stink).His work has been recognised with multiple Golds and Silvers from major industry awards including Cannes Lions, British Arrows, Creative Circle, and Kinsale Sharks. Spivey also founded Speade with Sam Sneade, before going on to start and run boutique edit house The Play Room for eight years. In 2019, he joined The Assembly Rooms, continuing to cut high-profile commercial work while maintaining the personal editorial sensibility that has defined his career. Spivey's arrival at Stitch marks an exciting new chapter, pairing his experience with the company’s creative and collaborative ethos, according to Stitch co-owner Leo King. “Adam is one of those editors whose work speaks for itself," he says. "He’s such a lovely guy, and brings a depth of experience that makes him a natural fit for Stitch.” Adam Spivey adds: “I’ve long admired both Tim {Hardy] and Leo’s work and the impressive company they have built. If I reflect back to when I created the Play Room in 2011 it was Stitch that I tried to copy. And as they say, if you can’t beat them, join them!”• Watch Adam Spivey's showreel at Stitch here

Tyler Richards directs a stylised performance-driven video for Luís Fernandes’ upbeat yet introspective pop single about the struggle to move on.The visuals for Try Try Try use rhythm, colour and playful energy to reflect the song’s emotional duality marrying bold aesthetics with heartfelt performance.

Our review of 2025 concludes with a list of the directors who made the biggest impact in music videos last year - the Hot Directors. How did we define a 'Hot' Director? In our book that is someone (or a team) that, at whatever point they are in their career, are in high demand - and also they have also been serial creators of music video content in 2025.Everyone who appears on this list had at least three projects featured on Promonews in 2025. That, we admit, does exclude quite a lot of directors who also may have a good claim to be regarded as 'Hot', but that's the way we're doing it this time around.So here is the Part One of the Hot Directors of 2025 list, with Part Two coming shortly... BedroomTeddy Swims 'Guilty' by BedroomSoren Harrison and Blackksocks of Bedroom were as prolific in 2025 as they were when they broke through in music videos in 2019, and Blackksocks made his solo directing debut too. Including this hit video for Teddy Swims at the start of the year. Sponsor banner: FRIEND Cody CritcheloePerfume Genius ft Aldous Harding 'No Front Teeth' by Cody CritcheloeCody Critcheloe blazes his own trail in an unpredictable fashion. In 2025, he directed two jawdropping, emotional melodramas for alt-rock artist Perfume Genius followed by an off-the-wall pop blockbuster for multinational girl group KATSEYE. The No Front Teeth video for PG is a hilarious camp gem with a side of weird horror - John Waters meets David Lynch, with waffles. Autumn de WildeFlorence & The Machine 'Everybody Scream' by Autumn de WildeFlorence Welch and Autumn de Wilde, plus choreography by Ryan Heffington - that's just one of those things that can pretty much rely on to deliver. And so they did for Florence's full-force, Bronté-influenced return with Everybody Scream and its sequel Sympathy Magic. Sponsor banner: Anonymous Content DON ProdCentral Cee 'No Introduction' by DON ProdSelf-shooting directing duo DON Prod are major players in British grime videos for their prized ability to ally mind-bending turnaround speed with quality of work. We featured just a portion of their output as they continued to develop, build relationships with major artists like Central Cee - and stretch themselves in other music genres - in 2025. Sponsor banner: ROGUE Jake ErlandOlivia Dean 'Man I Need' by Jake ErlandWorking with artists across the span of an album campaign has been one of the features of Jake Erland's progress in the business. He did it again with Joy Crookes and then Olivia Dean, the latter producing an interconnected series of videos that could hardly have been more successful. Now Olivia's a cert to win big at the BRIT Awards next month - and we're keen to see what Jake does next.Sponsor banner: Park Pictures Fa & FonJADE 'Headache', 'Glitch', 'Silent Disco', 'Lip Service', 'Unconditional' and 'Self Saboteur' by Fa & FonVisualisers are now part of the fabric of music video production and the best example of the form, where the creative potential is explored most successfully, is by JADE working with director duo Fa & Fon. 2025 was a big year for twin sisters, they also made (proper) videos for Marina Satti. This year promises to be even bigger. Sponsor banner: Pulse Films Jordan HemingwayFKA twigs 'Love Crimes' by Jordan HemingwayIt's hardly possible to overstate the level of Jordan Hemingway's achievements last year. Not only were his videos for FKA twigs all superb, there were so many of them, particularly for her remix album of Eusexua it was quite hard to keep up. We think that Love Crimes was the last one, but we may have missed one. Jordan is what music video needs right now - in fact, always needs. He's hot and he's also the coolest man in the world.Sponsor banner: Studio RM Rodrigo InadaJolin 'Fish Love' by Rodrigo InadaRodrigo Inada aims for what many would regard as impossible - a combination of the genuinely intimate, with epic visions on a grand scale. It's a very difficult trick to pull off, but last year it all came together in his videos for Jackson Wang, Celeste and finally, Jolin. He's a serious talent, and a real boon that he is working in music videos right now. Sponsor banner: Partizan LAUZZAPozer 'Habits' by LAUZZAThe maverick that is LAUZZA had another busy year with a series of videos in his distinctive style - where his brand is always part of the package. Everything LAUZZA makes also appears on his YouTube channel - even his video for PinkPantheress. Most importantly, the talent is always evident in the punchy, witty storytelling and use of greenscreen and VFX. Dave MeyersLittle Simz 'Young' by Dave MeyersDave Meyers never stops. 2025 would not really be considered a big year by his standards, but still - he did come to the UK to make two standout videos, for One Thing, Lola Young's follow-up to Messy, and then to transform Little Simz into an old-age punk for Young. Then there was his video for Snoop Dogg which is possibly the only video using AI last year that doesn't make us a bit sad. Gabriel MosesClipse ft Kendrick Lamar 'Chains & Whips' by Gabriel MosesGabriel Moses makes imperishable images, and his videos are both very much of our time but will, we predict, never date. 2025 was probably his most prolific year in music videos - including this one for returning rap duo Clipse - leading to him winning Best Director at the UKMVAs - one of the great moments of the year. Really looking forward to what Gabriel comes up with next. NEXT: Hot Directors (Part Two)

Having established a reputation for the quality of its productions and its collaborations with international filmmakers, HENRY is now strengthening its commitment to emerging French directors with four big signings to the Paris-based production company.HENRY has announced the arrival of a new wave of French directing talent, welcoming Bleu Désert, Natas3000, Julie Réali and Rayan Rey. The additions to the HENRY roster represent a diverse new generation embracing short-form storytelling, fashion collaborations and experimental narratives. The new signings reflect a clear intention to support filmmakers who move easily between formats and ground their creativity in the present moment. Signalling this new chapter for the company, in recent months HENRY has produced several films with its new directors: the TAKITA music video for Lesram (Blue Sky), directed by Bleu Désert; the FEET video for Max Baby (Savoir Faire), directed by Julie Réali; the Umbro x Wasted capsule launch film by Natas3000; and the Insensé music video for Yamê (Believe), also directed by Natas3000. These projects also mark a strategic move toward a broader international presence, as these directors will now be represented by the studio across Europe.BLEU DESERTBleu Désert first made their mark in the music video world, notably with Même pas un grincement for Ziak, a project that went on to win multiple international awards (Berlin Music Video Awards, D&AD, Ciclope). Their collaborations with artists like Nekfeu, Kekra and Ziak quickly shaped their signature: a tightly built way of telling stories, where image, sound and rhythm work together without ever losing sight of impact.From concept to post-production, Bleu Désert craft setups that appear simple on the surface but reveal a strong sense of control and precision. Their film L’Impasse was presented at Sundance and FIPADOC in 2025, confirming a clear, cohesive approach where image and sound continuously feed into each other. Alongside this, they’ve developed collaborations with brands such as Salomon, Hennessy and Sony, pushing forward their taste for sensitive, finely tuned storytelling.Their latest music video for Lesram's Takita was widely praised online - including on Promonews - once again proving their ability to create visuals that resonate both culturally and emotionally.• Watch Bleu Desert showreel at HENRY hereNATAS3000Originally from Annecy, Natas3000 embodies the heart of urban culture. What started back in middle school as a passion for skateboarding has grown into a full-fledged directing career. Inspired by legends like Fred Mortagne, better known as French Fred, he sharpened both his filmmaking and photography skills within the Cinquième Terrasse crew, refining his eye alongside fellow skaters and filmmakers.Moving to Paris marked the beginning of a prolific chapter, leading to collaborations with brands such as Diesel, Converse, Nike, Versace Jeans Couture, Louis Vuitton, Off-White, Carhartt WIP, Heineken, Budweiser, Havana Club and Chivas. Over the years, he has filmed talents including Lionel Messi, Dua Lipa, Marcus Rashford, Orelsan and Yamê.• Watch NATAS3000 showreel at HENRY hereJULIE REALIBased between Paris and New York, Julie Reali works at the intersection of technology and emotion. With a background in digital creation, she explores how tools like 3D, AI, CGI and spatial design can open new ways of telling stories on screen. In 2019, she co-founded Space Cowboys, an interactive studio bringing together creatives from diverse fields to experiment with innovation and narration. The studio stands out for its fluid, inclusive approach and its commitment to exploring the possibilities of digital filmmaking.Julie has since directed campaigns for TikTok, Lululemon and Foot Locker. In 2024, she unveiled Bloom at the Rockefeller Center, an immersive botanical installation blending 3D, spatial design and artificial intelligence. At the core of her practice lies a simple, recurring question: what does it mean to be human, today and tomorrow?• Watch Julie Reali showreel at HENRY hereRAYAN REYSelf-taught director Rayan Rey builds his visual language between photography and film. He started out shooting backstage at fashion shows, sharpening his eye for detail, texture and atmosphere. In 2021, he caught attention with a series of music videos for emerging rappers, including standout projects for Sean which marked a turning point in his work. From there, he began experimenting with different cameras, richer textures and layered visual worlds, with a clear fashion influence in both casting and styling.Also a photographer, he brings a precise sense of gesture and mood to every project, shaping a fluid, story-driven approach to directing. After collaborations with The North Face and Copin, he recently directed Adidas’ Mégaride campaign, confirming his growing interest in commercial formats and his drive to keep experimenting.• Watch Rayan Rey showreel at HENRY here