The Northern Ontario Music and Film Awards Conference

June 27 - 29, 2024

Since the Northern Ontario Music and Film Awards (NOMFA) Conference and Ceremony was last held in 2019, our region’s creative sectors have continued to flourish, reflecting the limitless creativity helmed by diverse communities of storytellers and artists that encompass Northern Ontario.

We think this calls for a celebration.

Cultural Industries Ontario North (CION) is thrilled to announce that the NOMFA is returning to Greater Sudbury in June 2024 -- and we invite you to follow the action!

You deserve recognition for the inspired determination with which you hone your craft. And we want to help you celebrate your accomplishments alongside your peers, friends, and family, in Northern Ontario.

 

Submissions for NOMFA 2024 are now closed. Nominees will be announced in April of 2024. If you have any questions about your NOMFA submission, please contact us at info@cionorth.ca

From June 27 to 29, 2024, join us in raising a glass to the excellence achieved by the artists and technicians who represent Northern Ontario, and who continue to inspire through their contributions to the film, television, and music industries.

Music Awards

Sung loud, from cozy campfires to grandiose stages, northern melodies press on, pushing us forward and promoting pause, all at once. 

 

These awards shine a light on the Northern Ontario music projects and performances released to commercial radio and/or retail from January 1, 2022, to December 31, 2023.

Submissions will be assessed on the following criteria: quality of music, lyrical content (if applicable), vocal performance, musicianship, originality, production, strength of the overall project, and arrangements. This award is presented to the duo/group.

A minimum of 50% of a duo or group must meet the residency requirements in order to qualify.

Additional categories will be considered if sufficient numbers of French-language and Indigenous, Métis or Inuit-identified submissions are received (Outstanding French Language Recording and Outstanding Recording by an Indigenous Musician).

Past Award Recipients 

Flowers of Atacama - Pharos of Alexandria (2019)

Shelter As We Go... - QuantUm Tangle (2019)

Panorama - Cindy Doire (2019)

The November Gales - Jackson Reed (2017)

Sans l'abri d'un quand - McLean (2017)

Someday the Moon Will be Gold – Kalle Mattson (2015)

Submissions will be assessed on the following criteria: quality of production, sonic impact, psychoacoustics, and good use of creative and technical aspects of audio. This award recognizes excellence in the field of audio engineering for studio recordings. The award goes to the individual engineer.

The individual engineer must meet residency requirements, but the artist does not. Submissions must include a total of three (3) song selections drawn from ONE (1) project completed during the Eligibility Period.

Past Award Recipients

Shawn Sasyniuk – I Own a Bittersweet Flashlight by Matt Thibeault (2019)

Rob Nickerson – Nocturne by Matt Sellick (2017)

Rusty McCarthy – Moonstone by Britta Wolfert (2015)

Submissions will be assessed on the following criteria: song structure, melody, quality of the music, lyrical content, originality, and overall impression. The song submitted must have been released on record during the Eligibility Period. Single releases, or single tracks from multi-track/multi-artist compilations of new material are eligible.

This award will only honour the Northern Ontario songwriter(s) and collaborator(s) who meet the residency requirements.

Past Award Recipients

Kalle Mattson – "Astronaut" (2019)

Rose-Erin Stokes – “Let You Go” by the Hidden Roots Collective (2017)

Kalle Mattson – “A Love Song to the City” (2015)

Submissions will be assessed on the following criteria: overall concept, technical execution, originality and suitability for the music. The video submitted must have been released on a recognized 3rd party platform (Vimeo, YouTube, etc.) or have been broadcast on television during the Eligibility Period. This award will be presented to the musical act.

A minimum of 50% of a duo or group must meet the residency requirements in order to qualify. The director of the video does not need to meet the residency requirements. 

Past Award Recipients

Kalle Mattson – "Kids On the Run", directed by Sean McLeod (2019)

Kalle Mattson – “Avalanche”, directed by Philip Sportel (2017)

Matt Foy – “Outlaw”, directed by John Alden Milne (2015)

Film & TV Awards

Feature films reach the world stage, television series find fans across oceans, and short films continue to make waves at festivals far and wide.

 

These awards celebrate Northern Ontario's screen-based projects and performances that premiered or screened to a public audience (minimum of 1 screening) or on a recognized broadcaster from January 1, 2022, to December 31, 2023.

Submissions will be assessed based on the following criteria: emotional conveyance, characters and casting, screenplay, cinematography, editing, directing, overall story and impression. Submissions to this category must be over 70 minutes in duration. All genres of film (documentary, animated or live action) are accepted.

At least 50% of the film must have been shot in Northern Ontario to be eligible for consideration, and the film must have screened to a public audience during the Eligibility Period.

Past Award Recipients

The New Romantic, directed by Carly Stone (2019)

Remember, directed by Atom Egoyan (2017)

Cas & Dylan, directed by Jason Priestley (2015)

Submissions will be assessed based on the following criteria:  emotional conveyance, characters and casting, screenplay, cinematography, editing, directing, overall story and impression. Submissions to this category must be 1 to 69 minutes in duration and may fit any one of the following genres: drama, comedy, experimental, animation, sci-fi, horror or documentary. All short films must have been screened to a public audience during the Eligibility Period.

At least 50% of the film must have been shot in Northern Ontario, and the film’s director must meet the residency eligibility requirements.

Past Award Recipients

Post-Script, directed by Eric Robillard (2019)

Farewell Fire, directed by Scott Armstrong (2017)

The Underground, directed by Michelle Latimer (2015)

Submissions will be assessed based on the following criteria: emotional conveyance, characters and casting, screenplay, cinematography, editing, directing, overall story and impression. Submissions to this category must be for a series with a minimum of 3 broadcast episodes of at least 11 minutes in duration, each having been broadcast on a recognized television channel or service during the Eligibility Period. All genres of television (drama, comedy, animation, horror, etc.) are accepted.

At least 50% of the series must have been shot in Northern Ontario.

Past Award Recipients

Letterkenny, Season 3 – New Metric Media (2019)

Letterkenny, Season 2 – New Metric Media (2017)

Submissions will be assessed based on the following criteria: emotional conveyance, overall vision, cast performances, technical ability, and overall impression. Projects of all lengths are eligible. The director must meet residency requirements. The award goes to the individual.

Past Award Recipients

Darlene Naponse - Falls Around Her (2019)

Jamie M. Dagg - River (2017)

Michelle Latimer - The Underground (2015)

Submissions will be assessed on the following criteria: plot, dialogue, pacing and rhythm, format and structure, overall story and impression, emotional conveyance, and character development. The screenplay must have been completed during the Eligibility Period. Screenplays must be complete and conform to industry standard.

The award will only honour the screenwriter(s) and collaborator(s) who meet the Northern Ontario residency requirements.

Past Award Recipients

Darlene Naponse - Falls Around Her (2019)

Erin Pitkethly - Jay Walking (2017)

Michelle Derosier - Angelique’s Isle (2015)

Submissions will be assessed on the following criteria: character development, physicality, character interaction with other cast members, suitability for the role and overall impression. All lengths, categories and genres of film are eligible.

At least 50% of the film must have been shot in Northern Ontario. The award goes to the individual. The actor does not need to meet the residency requirements.

Past Award Recipients

Josh Wiggins – Giant Little Ones (2019)

Ethan Hawke – Born to be Blue (2017)

Richard Dreyfuss – Cas & Dylan (2015)

Ceremony and Conference Details

Glitz and glam go hand in hand with NOMFA’s elegant award Ceremony, but stick around for the various showcases, workshops, and panel discussions in Downtown Sudbury to immerse yourself in the artistic realms of Northern Ontario’s creative industries.

It’s where you will meet new allies and catch up with longtime friends; enjoy live music and find inspiration; learn lessons from experts and artists; and, most of all, uplift your peers who hold dear the magic of storytelling and expression.

This is our opportunity to not only celebrate our talents together, but also show the music and film communities at large the wealth of talent to be found here in Northern Ontario.

CION will announce award nominees in April of 2024, along with attendance and program information for the Conference and Ceremony. Full NOMFA Conference passes will also be released, along with individual tickets for showcases, workshops, and panels.

Sponsorship Opportunities - Help Support the Creative Industries

CION is seeking partners to increase NOMFA’s impact and visibility, all while providing key perks and promotional opportunities for your brand.

 

As part of the 2024 Conference and Award Ceremony, NOMFA includes professional development activities, music and film showcases, and networking events for a unique audience of artists and industry delegates.

 

Interested in joining NOMFA 2024? Give us a shout at info@cionorth.ca. Sponsor information can be provided on request.

FAQ and Protocols

The entrant must be one of the following:

1. A person who has lived in Northern Ontario for the consecutive twenty-four (24) month period between January 1, 2022, and December 31, 2023.

2. A person who was a resident of Northern Ontario for a period of at least ten (10) consecutive years.

For bands or collaborations, at least 50% of the individuals must meet the above residency requirements, unless the category they are entering indicates otherwise. Record producers, music video directors and actors are exempt from residency requirements in their respective categories.

Northern Ontario, as defined for the purposes of the Awards Program, comprises the territorial districts of Algoma, Cochrane, Kenora, Manitoulin, Nipissing, Parry Sound, Rainy River, Sudbury, Thunder Bay, Temiskaming and the District Municipality of Muskoka.

MUSIC: Unless otherwise stated in the category description, all music category entries must have been released to commercial radio and/or retail during the period from January 1, 2022 and December 31, 2023 inclusively (the “Eligibility Period”). Retail includes anywhere music is available for sale, i.e. live performances, mail order, retail stores, online, etc. Entries must include proof of the date of release, which may be in the form of a letter from a record company or distributor, press releases, reviews, proof of delivery to radio or retail, etc.

FILM/TV: All projects in each category submitted must have been premiered or screened to a public audience (minimum of 1 screening) or on a recognized broadcaster during the period from January 1, 2022 and December 31, 2023 inclusively (the “Eligibility Period”). Each submission must be accompanied by a letter from a programmer/representative of a recognized festival or event, or from a recognized exhibitor or broadcaster confirming the date(s) and location(s) of the screening.

MUSIC: Only full-length sound recordings will be considered for the Outstanding Album categories (see individual categories for specific stipulations). A full-length sound recording is defined as a recording that contains a minimum of five (5) tracks, or, alternatively, is a minimum of thirty (30) minutes long. All full-length recordings require 80% original content by the artist or group entrant. However, in genres that rely heavily on repertoire (for example: Jazz, Blues, Roots & Traditional, Classical), an exception may be made on a case-by-case basis.  Any entries of single tracks or individual compilation tracks must be original by the artist or group as applicable.

FILM/TV: All lengths, categories and genres of film/TV will be accepted, unless otherwise indicated in the specific award category. Short, feature length and individual episodic screenplays will be accepted for the Outstanding Screenwriter category. Screenplays must be complete and formatted to industry standards in order to be eligible.

The eligible entries of each category will be judged by a panel of jurors who are representative of the diversity of the music, film and television industries. Jurors will be selected for their demonstrated expertise and knowledge of the industry and for their professional experience in the categories being judged.

Jurors who are deemed by CION to have a conflict of interest for any entry will not be involved in the judgment of that entry, but will count as one of the members of the jury. No CION board or staff member shall sit as a juror, submit or be submitted for an award, or affect the decision making of the juries. Jurors are not permitted to submit entries to the awards or to have submissions made on their behalf.

The names of jurors will be kept confidential until published in the NOMFA event listings. Jurors’ decisions will be based on criteria specific to each category in terms of originality, form, content, and technical execution. Decisions of the jury are final and are not open to appeal.

All nominees will be contacted by mail, phone or e-mail during the month of April 2024. Nominee information will be posted on the CION website and announced to the public by means of a media release. The winners in each category will be announced at the awards ceremony to be held in Sudbury on Saturday, June 29, 2024.

An entry fee of $15.00 per category, HST included, must accompany all entries. These fees cover administrative and handling costs for the entries. Multiple entries require a payment for each entry.

All fees are non-refundable, even if the entrant is disqualified or not chosen as a nominee.

More than one project can be submitted to a single category, or a single project can be submitted to more than one category, so long as each project meets the eligibility criteria for that category.

MUSIC: Music recordings must fulfill all applicable legal obligations (i.e. licences and copyright, songwriters properly credited, mechanical licences have been paid, etc.).

FILM/TV: Film and TV productions must fulfill all applicable legal obligations (i.e. licences and copyright, writers properly credited, etc.).

Persons signing the authorization form must own or have licences to all copyright for the material submitted, or be authorized in writing by the owner to submit, and have the authority to execute said authorization.