Since 2000, UNESCO has developed mechanisms for the listing of intangible cultural heritage, which has raised a major interest all over the world. States nominating elements have to submit videos in the candidature files in addition to written texts, which is unique to all UNESCO programmes and Conventions. Based on public and internal documents, the author analyses the role played by videos in the examination of files, establishing that it was decisive during the initial years, while later videos became relatively marginal compared to written texts, although they offer a rare opportunity to hear communities speaking about their heritage. After describing technical processing of videos and publication strategies, he reveals that videos are essential for the indexers and general public. He hopes that UNESCO evaluators will feel increasingly comfortable in fully taking into account the wealth of information provided in nomination videos which encounter an exceptional success online with more than 30 million views.