ABOUt
SAMMY RAWAL

Director / Digital Artist Sammy Rawal has earned international attention for his original, hyper-stylized approach to image-making featuring bold color, choreography, and innovative VFX.

Sammy’s work is informed by a mashup of culturally diverse influences, fashion and hip-hop. He has brought his signature quick-fire style to commercial campaigns, music videos, 3D inspired video portraits, and digital installations for clients such as Cardi B, Lizzo, Kelis, Elton John, Reebok, Twitter, Axe, and Chanel. His work has been shown at the BFI Southbank, Art Gallery of Ontario, the Musée d'Art Contemporain de Montréal, and nominated at the UK Music Video Awards, the Berlin Music Video Awards, and the Juno Awards.

Sammy’s passion for LGBTQ+ rights flourish in commercial projects such as SoulCycle’s Pride 2021 mixed media collaboration and his acclaimed work, “Life’s A Ball,” for Equinox, which Adweek called the most “show-stopping” of 2019 Pride campaigns. The 360 project, including a :90 film, digital art and bespoke downloadable track, celebrated icons of NYC ballroom. Sammy directed Equinox’s 2020 “Catch the Beat” Pride campaign, and #ImTheVote, part of Unilever’s Safe and Fair 2020 election initiative aimed at people of color in LGBTQ+ communities. Most recently, Sammy directed the social campaign for Dan Levy’s “See with Love” eyewear which assists small businesses, members of the LGBTQ+ community, and entrepreneurs located in historically disadvantaged communities.

Sammy is also the co-founder and resident DJ of Yes Yes Y’all, Canada’s largest hip-hop/dancehall party that creates spaces for queer people of color. Sammy is currently repped in the US by Scheme Engine, in the UK by Believe Media, in Paris by IC-TV, and in Canada by Revolver Films.

ABOUT THE
SPECIAL ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

Supported by The Slaight Family Foundation

The Special Achievement Award is presented to a Canadian music video icon for their artistic achievements and exceptional contribution to music video art on a world stage. 

2022 RECIPIENT - Sammy Rawal
2021 RECIPIENT - Jordan Oram
2020 RECIPIENT - Bardia Zeinali
2019 RECIPIENT - Lacey Duke
2018 RECIPIENT - Cherie Sinclair
2017 RECIPIENT - Revolver Films
2016 RECIPIENT – Director X
2015 RECIPIENT – Christopher Mills
2014 RECIPIENT – Floria Sigismondi