NOMFA 2026 Conference

Presented by:
Village Media

Venue: Sudbury Theatre Centre - Steve's Encore Lounge
 

Celebrate the return of the NOMFAs at the official home opener-slash-social with award nominees, out-of-town guests, and talented artists from across the region. Live music. Great vibes. Better company. It’s all happening here, on a dreamlike spring night in downtown Sudbury.
 

With opening remarks from CION and performances from:

Knownish
Chanelle Albert
summersets

Purchase:
Conference Pass
Single Ticket

Presented by:
Directors Guild of Canada - Ontario

Venue: Place des Arts - Bistro

Coffee and tea’s on tap! Before and between NOMFA events, CION invites industry guests to catch up with friends, enjoy some snacks, and start planning a weekend’s worth of conference adventures. Guests can also explore PDA’s first floor to scope out upcoming events and connect with industry partners. Not a bad time to pick up a conference pass, too!
 

With exhibitions from:

Cambrian College
Canadore College
IATSE Local 634
IATSE Local 667
Nogdawindamin Family and Community Services

Purchase:
Conference Pass

Presented by:
Tiffany Ferguson (TEAL HEAT)
Sara Kae (Musician)
Gerry Kingsley (Photographer, Cinematographer)
Kevin Wright (The Optimal Pitch)
 

Venue: Place des Arts – Studio Desjardins

There are many ways to market new music, but one thing remains constant across online strategies: videos drive engagement. With access to video creators, iMovie creative tools, visualizers, TikTok and Reels, musicians can now transform a single sound bite into weeks of engaging content, regardless of budget.

This discussion explores how independent artists are finding success producing music videos, lyric videos, visualizers, and other forms of content that help their songs stand out in crowded feeds. 

Purchase:
Conference Pass
Single Ticket

Presented by:
Kevin Wright

Venue: Place des Arts - La Grande Salle

Veteran broadcaster Kevin Wright is in the building. As part of his acclaimed development program, Kevin will listen to live pitches and provide real-time feedback to Northern Ontario-based filmmakers who are prepared to better visualize, refine, and present their creative ideas.

The ability to pitch live is reserved for participants of The Optimal Pitch: NOMFA Edition, but NOMFA pass holders and ticket holders are encouraged to sit in on the session and support regional storytelling in action.
 

Purchase:
Conference Pass
Single Ticket

Presented by: 
Jonathan Bunce (Wavelength Music)
Sean Henderson (Canadian Federation of Musicians)
Jesse Mitchell (Canada’s Music Incubator)
Brandon Williams (Chastity)
Kim Temple (Music Publishers Canada)

Venue: Place des Arts - Studio Desjardins
 

Nowadays, the “tour-till-you-drop” mantra isn’t ringing as true – or as sustainable – for many working musicians. This discussion between industry experts will examine current constraints on live music performances, identify strategies that can mitigate these barriers, and conceptualize new approaches to audience building that redefine downtime.
 

Purchase:
Conference Pass
Single Ticket

Presented by:
Marcia Douglas (Bell Fund)
Jon Taylor (Independent Production Fund)

Venue: Place des Arts - Studio Desjardins

This practical workshop focuses on how to avoid common pitfalls in funding applications and present your project with clarity, confidence, and credibility. Led by industry professionals who regularly assess submissions, the session will highlight what funders look for, common red flags, and how small missteps can weaken strong ideas.

Purchase:
Conference Pass
Single Ticket

Presented By:
In Search of ... Locations (Douglas Brisebois)

Venue: Place des Arts - La Grande Salle
 

Witness outstanding achievements in regional filmmaking with this curated showing of short films that each earned NOMFA nominations this year. Northern titles on display are drawn from the Director and Actor categories for short format projects.
 

With screenings of:

The Space Left Behind
Ms. Mary
Rumspringa
In a Dark Silence
20 Crickets
Nooj Goji / Anywhere
Can You Feel It Now?
Lasagna Run

Purchase:
Conference Pass
Single Ticket

Presented by:
Nogdawindamin Family & Community Services

Venue: Sudbury Theatre Centre - Steve's Encore Lounge

Live it up at this late-night set with an all-star lineup of musical talent. Among the acts are sensational storytellers and showstoppers from the 2025 edition of the Indigenous Music Mentorship Program who share the stage for a special evening presentation that flows into nightfall.
 

With performances from:

Johnny Linklater
Sara Kae
Olivia Shortt

Purchase:
Conference Pass
Single Ticket

Presented By:
IATSE 667

Venue: Place des Arts - Le Bistro

Bright and early (sort of) with great company and a plate full of delicious (absolutely). NOMFA nominees and industry guests are invited to CION’s reunion of the music and film sectors, returning to the conference playbook this year to promote productive meetings, create new connections, and gameplan the future of Northern Ontario’s creative industries.
 

With performances from:

Matthieu Thibeault
The Honest Heart Collective (Solo)

Guests must have a 2026 NOMFA Conference Pass to attend the Business Circles & Brunch.
 

This two-part event starts with live music and brunch before shifting into an open networking forum for pre-registerants to access mentorship and business meetings. (Pre-registration is now closed)

Music Mentors:

• Jesse Northey, Executive Director of Victory Pool

• Kim Temple, Senior Manager of Programming & Industry Relations with Music Publishers Canada

• Marcus Tamm, Director - Communications with FACTOR

• Michelle Allman-Esdaille, CEO of The HOOK & Co

• Sean Henderson, Electronic Media Administrator with Canadian Federation of Musicians

• Sierra Evans, Project Coordinator with FACTOR

• Vel Omazic, CEO and Co-Founder of Canada’s Music Incubator

Film Mentors:

• Jon Taylor, CEO of Independent Production Fund

• Kevin Wright, Principal at The Optimal Pitch

• Liane Cunje, Development Executive and Producer with Accent Aigu Entertainment

• Lori Fischburg, Head of Production and Producer with Accent Aigu Entertainment

• Marcia Douglas, Executive Director of Bell Fund

• Ryan Keller, Entertainment Lawyer and Producer with Other Animal Entertainment

Presented by:
Michelle Allman-Esdaille (The HOOK & Company)

Venue: Place des Arts - The Zone

Experience a playful approach to the fast-paced nature of music licencing with this 60-Second Placement Challenge that stimulates the real pressure music supervisors face when picking the right tracks under tight deadlines. Led by Michelle Allman-Esdaile, this activity cleverly reimagines the licensing process as a cakewalk, where timing and opportunity converge to create the perfect moment.

Purchase:
Conference Pass
Single Ticket

Presented by:
Corey Loranger (Caribou Films)
Liane Cunje (Accent Aigu Entertainment)
Lori Fischburg (Accent Aigu Entertainment)
Ryan Keller (Other Animal Entertainment)

Venue: Place des Arts – Studio Desjardins
 

What called you to the North? How did the realities of regional production guide the on-screen action? And in which ways have these experiences shaped you as a filmmaker? Corey Loranger (Réver en nêon), Liane Cunje (Deathstalker), Ryan Keller (The Last ASsassins) and moderator Lori Fischburg (Heated Rivalry) will team up to share exclusive tales, treasures, and tips from their time producing feature films in Northern Ontario.


Purchase:
Conference Pass
Single Ticket

Presented by:
Cinéfest Sudbury

Venue: Place des Arts - Le Bistro

Join nominees and industry guests in toasting the people and projects that are up for awards. The cocktail reception will feature catered hors d’oeuvres and opportunities to celebrate ahead of the evening’s ceremony.

Admission to the 2026 NOMFA Award Ceremony (includes pre-show) is available through conference pass or single ticket purchases.
 

Purchase:
Conference Pass
Single Ticket

Presented by:
Cinéfest Sudbury

Venue: Place des Arts - La Grande Salle

The moment’s here.

Two-time NOMFA winner, filmmaker, and renowned comedian Ryan McMahon pilots the official ceremony, treating us to a variety show filled with big laughs, live acts, and 14 awards. Book your seat* and help drive much merited praise toward regional musicians, filmmakers - and the creative industries at large that set the stage for their artistic achievements.
 

*Balcony Seating for the 2026 NOMFA Award Ceremony (includes access to pre-show) is available through conference pass or single ticket purchases.
 

Purchase:
Conference Pass
Single Ticket

Presented By:
Blueprints

Venue: Knox Hall

Let’s keep the good times rolling. Join award winners, nominees, and the Sudbury arts scene for the curtain call on the Northern Ontario Music and Film Awards at the iconic Knox Hall, where you can rendezvous with business and revel in the pleasures of an after-hours rock show in the basement of an old church.
 

(How’s that for a Sudbury Saturday Night?)
 

With performances from:

Peach Pact
Thea May
Skye Wallace

Purchase:
Conference Pass
Single Ticket