Frender Wins Best Visual Effects at Hollywood Music Video Awards 2025

The Hollywood Music Video Awards 2025 brought together some of the most visionary talents in the global music video industry for an unforgettable night of celebration on april 5, 2025. Held at the iconic W Hollywood Hotel, the ceremony honored outstanding achievements in directing, cinematography, choreography, post-production, and visual storytelling.

The atmosphere was vibrant and inspiring — filled with creators who continue to push boundaries in music video production. From red carpet conversations to standing ovations in the hall, the event served as a true tribute to creative excellence and collaboration across disciplines.

The Hollywood Music Video Awards were created to spotlight the behind-the-scenes brilliance that powers the music video industry. The Best Visual Effects category, in particular, honors teams that push boundaries and redefine what’s visually possible within the format — blending technology, creativity, and emotion.

Frender’s win joins a legacy of standout visuals and innovative creators who continue to shape the future of music video production.

Music Video of the Year – “Taste” – Sabrina Carpenter

Directed by Dave Meyers, produced by Freenjoy

Director of the Year – Tanu Muino

Best New Director – Aerin Moreno

Producer of the Year – Aiden Magarian

Cinematographer of the Year – Nyk Allen

Production Designer of the Year – Cody Fusina

Assistant Director of the Year – Jonas Morales

Editor of the Year – Ally Gondeck

Stylist of the Year – Rachel Haas

Choreographer of the Year – Sean Bankhead

Commissioner of the Year – Steven Gottlieb

Production Company of the Year – Freenjoy

Post-Production Company of the Year – Sunset Edit

Rep of the Year – Lark Creative

Eyecandy’s Most Innovative – “A$AP Rocky” – Taylor Swift

Best Visual Effects – “Tobey” – Eminem feat. Big Sean & BabyTron VFX by Frender

One of the highlights of the evening was the Best Visual Effects award, which went to “Tobey”, a bold and visually striking video by Eminem feat. Big Sean & BabyTron, directed by Cole Bennett.

The VFX were created by Frender, a Los Angeles-based visual effects studio known for its cinematic approach, detail-oriented work, and ability to translate ambitious creative ideas into stunning visuals. The award was proudly accepted by Max Colt, Frender’s studio director and VFX supervisor on the project.

After the ceremony, Max shared his gratitude in a post on Instagram, thanking the entire visual effects team and key collaborators:

“Big thank you to all VFX artists who were involved on this project:

Anton Bielik, Rostik Pashcenko, Alex Yaholnyk, Anna Pashchenko, Sergey Evstratov, Anton Pavliukov, Oleksii Sauliak, Roman Sauliak, Slavik Bunich, Andrey Militskiy, Alex Hrzhehorzhevskyi, Rafael Blanco, Oleksii Tolubko, Leonid Karachko, and Aidan Ryan Dylan Selkirk.

Thanks for the trust — Lyrical Lemonade family, Cole Bennett, Krista Worby, Jake Milan.”

This award represents not only the visual and technical achievement behind “Tobey”, but also the power of collaboration and the role VFX plays in shaping the language of modern music culture.

This award marks a significant milestone for Frender — a studio that continues to merge bold ideas with precise execution. The win is a reflection of collective talent, dedication, and the shared passion for visual storytelling.

As Frender moves forward, this recognition fuels the team’s drive to explore new creative territories and continue delivering visuals that make an impact.

The Best Visual Effects category continues to gain prominence as music videos increasingly rely on digital storytelling, immersive design, and post-production creativity to deliver impact and emotion.

Frender is honored to receive this recognition and remains committed to pushing the boundaries of visual effects in music and beyond.