The Northern Ontario Music and Film Awards

Applications are Now Open!

Award Ceremony & Conference to Return for 2026 Edition

You read it first, and you read it right: NOMFA is returning to Sudbury in Spring 2026.

The quality of music and film projects that come from the North rivals any one place on this spinning space rock, and it is high time we celebrate that fact! This time around, though, we're extending the submission deadline and encouraging all eligible artists to get their names out there and, in the running, early.

More NOMFA details - like dates, venues, conference passes, and tickets - will be shared soon. In the meantime, get a head start on your submissions and check out the new award categories below.

NOMFA: Award Ceremony

The Award Ceremony is a 250+ person party that sees Northern Ontario-based artists take center stage. It's the place to be, where hardware is won between live musical sets and vignettes (while everyone's dressed to the nines, no less!) 

 

Fourteen (14) awards will be bestowed to deserving artists with some performing for the full crowd, but don't be fooled by the itinerary: This Award Ceremony is a tight ship that docks right on time.

NOMFA 2026 Submission Details

Musicians, filmmakers, and production companies have until January 16, 2026, to officially submit their Northern Ontario-based music or film projects for award consideration, with a chance to compete in up to fourteen (14) distinct categories.

A $15.00 fee (CAD with HST included) must accompany each application.

APPLY FOR MUSIC AWARDS

  • OUTSTANDING ALBUM
  • OUTSTANDING FRANCOPHONE ARTIST OR GROUP
  • OUTSTANDING INDIGENOUS ARTIST OR GROUP
  • OUTSTANDING ENGINEER
  • OUTSTANDING SONGWRITER
  • OUTSTANDING VOCAL PERFORMANCE
  • OUTSTANDING MUSIC VIDEO
Check out the winners from NOMFA 2024 here!

APPLY FOR FILM AWARDS

  • OUTSTANDING FEATURE FILM
  • OUTSTANDING TELEVISION SERIES
  • OUSTANDING DIRECTOR - FEATURE-LENGTH
  • OUTSTANDING DIRECTOR - SHORT FORMAT
  • OUTSTANDING SCREENWRITER
  • OUTSTANDING ACTOR - FEATURE-LENGTH OR TELEVISION
  • OUTSTANDING ACTOR - SHORT FORMAT
Check out the winners from NOMFA 2024 here!

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, 2024, and December 31, 2025.
  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.

 

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, 2024, and December 31, 2025, inclusively (the “Eligibility Period”). Retail includes anywhere music is available for sale, i.e. live performances, mail order, retail stores, online, 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, 2024, and December 31, 2025, inclusively (the “Eligibility Period”).

NOMFA GUIDELINES 2025-2026 (PDF - 583.7kb)

NOMFA: Conference

If the Ceremony’s the crescendo, consider the Conference as the overture.

 

In essence, this multi-day program of panel discussions, round circles, networking sessions, and one-to-ones illustrates the magic of Northern Ontario’s music and screen-based sectors - and shows how each are enchanted by the fusion of artistic distinction and regional harmony.

 

NOMFA 2026 Conference activities will be held in historic and happening venues across Sudbury’s downtown core, generating artistic conduits sure to foster a sense of togetherness that stays well past closing time.

NOMFA: Live Music

Did you know NOMFA’s been around for over two decades? Right in the heart of Sudbury every two years or so, producing a touchstone soundtrack of regional excellence every time.

 

When the Conference rolls around, you can catch live music acts either amped up or unplugged around just about every corner, courtesy of current nominees, past winners, and Northern Ontario mainstays.

 

Walk around NOMFA-town to discover something new or flock to your favourite band: either way, you’re supporting local just by being there (and we love you for it).

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All photos depict NOMFA 2024 activities and were captured by the talented Juan Echavarria.