OMVF celebrated the 15th Finnish Music Video Contest on 20-23 August 2008.

Golden Pumpeli Award, the highest prize at the Finnish Music Video Contest organized by OMVF, went to Stam1na, one of the top artists in the Finnish metal scene, with their video "Lääke". The Jury concluded that the video, directed by Jouni Kallio, presented a praiseworthy parody of Finnish television entertainment.

The up-and-coming director's award, the Teen Pumpeli Award, went to Magdalena Spiik, who is still a polytechnic undergraduate, with her video for The Gambit's song "Snake Styles". The People's Choice Award went the video of Nightwish's "The Islander" by Stobe Harju. Besides inevitable fame and glory, the Pumpeli Awarded directors received Pumpeli statues that you can actually play, designed and made by the luthier Kimmo Nissinen.

In addition to this, the winner of the Golden Pumpeli Award also received a prize of 2,500 euros donated by Image and Soundi magazines, and the winner of Teen Pumpeli Award went home with Avid Media Composer editing software.

The Jury also gave Honorary Mentions to six other videos. The list included both veterans and emerging talents (see the list below).

This year the OMVF Finnish Music Video Contest received 154 entries which the Pre Jury skimmed down to 91 videos for the actual contest. For the first time this year, the People's Choice Pumpeli Award could be voted for also in the internet, there were over 3000 votes.

THE JURY AND THE JUSTIFICATIONS

The Jury consisted of Elias Koskimies, a former Pumpeli Gala director and presently a director and script writer for various Finnish TV shows; Meri-Tuuli Lindström, a TV show host and a businesswoman and Juha Hanhinen who won his post at the Jury in a music video critic contest held by the Finnish MTV.

The Jury's General Justifications

"This year the Jury saw forests, medieval scenes, Matrix atmosphere, basements, garbage bags, woe, sterility, horses, masks, mental ward patients, space and melancholicism. Thank You!

The Jury also discovered videos that bravely took a path of their own in a personal and disarming way.

Wondering if it was due to limited budgets, lack of Finnish forums for videos, tiredness and/or stagnation of the customers or the filmmakers, the Jury was left wanting for a braver attitude, more courage to surrender to the work and more enthusiasm. In future, the Jury wishes to see the guts to bring a budding idea into full bloom because that's how new viewpoints into the artists and bands can be found.

Nevertheless, the Jury was delighted to see that a new generation of promising and potential artists is emerging.
The Jury was unanimous in its decisions and choosing the winners proved an easy task. What all of the winners have in common is that you'd want to watch these videos over and over again. There were no safe bets in choosing the winners; all of them are multidimensional and passionate works that combine original scripts with a courage to carry out a chosen approach.

Hey, this went well! See you next year, thanks!"

GOLDEN PUMPELI AWARD

Kallio, Jouni - Stam1na: Lääke (Medialouhos)

The frantic and surprising storyline is unashamedly carried out with skillful execution. It's got just the right amount of insanity at the right points. The Jury detected a tongue that goes deeper and deeper in cheek as the video progresses. This video will last numerous viewings, fulfilling the ultimate purpose of a music video: This is a future classic!

TEEN PUMPELI AWARD

Spiik, Magdalena - The Gambit: Snake Styles (The Gambit for Queen Gambit Laboratoir)

An absolutely elegant, minimalistic and incredibly hypnotic video for a song where you can feel that famous sense of danger. Ooo... it is a snake. This up-and-coming director demonstrates how to condense the soul and essence of a band into a couple of captivating minutes - this is what it's all about!

PEOPLE'S CHOICE PUMPELI AWARD

Harju, Stobe - Nightwish: The Islander (Lapland Studio)

HONORARY MENTIONS

Taival, Jotti - The Millioners: Body Into Use (KHY Suomen musiikki)

A glistening wet and an extremely organic and simple video that charms with an ingenious idea. You can just feel the smell of paint spread through your body, giving rise to a strange urge to start renovating things.

Las Palmas - Huoratron: $$ Troopers (Las Palmas Films)

This Is Tekno. With an unashamedly gigantic attitude and with solid workmanship! The video pumps up a big international show, making the artist probably bigger than they really are. The Jury was unanimous: get your medication in tune and get your ass to the Time Tunnel!

Mennander, Henrik - Iiwanajulma: Absinttia (UHO Productions)

A dumbfounding work of art that nails the viewers to their seats. The seeming simplicity is captivating. The timing at the video's development is impeccable - there is nothing extra and nothing unnecessary. If you don't have the patience, this is not for you. If you don't have the patience, you're really missing out!

My Lovin' Martian - Pintandwefall: Somewhere I'd Be Worshipped (GAEA Records)

After seeing this, the Jury could only scream: Fucking hell! The attitude! Of all the videos featuring masks, this is the only one that actually works. And all in Esperanto (just kidding). The video showed such zeal and excitement that it makes you ask: Who are these people? Who is the hidden director? With out a doubt, this is the number one live action video this year.

Kemppainen, Jussi - Pooma: Snow (Studio Kombo)

A grandiloquent and sentimental work that nevertheless avoids becoming pathetic. Sensitive interpretation with an international flavor to it. A fascinating director who is an expert at creating minimalist narration and atmosphere.

Veijalainen, Pete - Stig Dogg: VadelmaSuklaa (Woodpeckerfilm)

This steamy video turns the artist into a proper sex symbol. A good idea is taken to its logical conclusion without forgetting even the smallest detail. The Bling! The bitches! Round and tight. Boner.