It's back and it's hungry for your Northern music and movies

The Northern Ontario Music and Film Awards (NOMFA) are back this year after a three-year hiatus and there’s still a bit of time to get your materials submitted for consideration.

The submission deadline is 5 p.m. on Wednesday, February 18, 2015.

The NOMFA conference, which is presented by Music and Film in Motion (MFM), is scheduled to take place in Sudbury on May 30, 2015.

Specific music categories are Best Album by a Group or Duo, Best Album by a Solo Artist, Best Engineer, Best Songwriter, Best Vocal Performance on a Recording, and Best Video By a Northern Ontario Musical Act.

Awards for film will be presented in the categories of Best Feature Film, Best Short/Mid-Length Film, Best Director, Best Screenwriter, and Best Performance By an Actor in a Northern Production.

Previous NOMFA winners and/or nominees affiliated with Sault Ste. Marie include Lee Chambers, Rusty McCarthy, Mark Gough, Kalle Mattson, Big Wheel and the Spokes, Faraway Neighbours, and Al Wood and the Woodsmen.

Originally an annual event, the NOMFA conference took a brief hiatus in 2012 as MFM underwent restructuring.

During that time, MFM transitioned from a stand-alone organization to become part of Cultural Industries Ontario North, which also includes Sudbury’s LOL Comedy Festival and Cinefest International Film Festival.

“The transition period allowed our new management team to take a good look at MFM programs and services, and then work with our funders to determine ways we can improve them to meet the needs of the current Northern Ontario music and film industries,” Jen McKerral, MFM music outreach officer, told SooToday. “The new and improved version of NOMFA will continue to provide a spotlight on our homegrown talent, but will now also recognize some of the high-profile films that are being shot in the North.”

Throughout restructuring, it was always the intent to relaunch the NOMFA conference, McKerral said, as it was and will continue to be a cornerstone of the organization.

However, the celebration of Northern Ontario artists will move to a biennial event with the next conference scheduled for May of 2017.

“The decision to move to the biennial format was to be able to pull submissions from a longer eligibility period and allow sufficient time for planning a first-class event,” she said. “Following the event, this will also provide us with an opportunity to extend promotion of the nominated artists, albums and films, which we're confident will help them reach new audiences.”

In addition to the NOMFA acting as a Northern artist showcase, the conference presents extensive networking opportunities for seasoned and entry-level participants alike.

“Throughout the weekend of the NOMFAs, we present industry panels and workshops on topics relating to the music and film industries, offering a forum for learning, as well as networking events that can allow delegates to make valuable contacts that can help further their careers,” said McKerral. “We believe strong relationships, and in turn strong music and film communities, will help build the industry and so we want to foster that!”

Those intersted in taking part are invited to visit the MFM website for guidelines and forms, or can contact Jen McKerral at 705-885-9889 with any questions.

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