Manitoba Film & Music (MFM) is pleased to announce the following updates to its music programs for the 2025-2026 fiscal year (April 1, 2025-March 31, 2026).


1. Removal of business registration requirement for lower program tiers

  • MFM’s requirement that applicants have a registered Manitoba business or are incorporated has been removed for the following program levels: Produce Demo, Produce Level 1, Promote ($5,000 level), and Perform ($7,500 level).
  • The business registration requirement remains in place for the rest of MFM’s music programs and higher levels.

2. Promote program changes 

  • For Manitoba applicants with a registered business or corporation and who have an MFM-funded current release, the annual max funding cap is increased to $15,000 from a previous cap of $10,000. For applicants without a current release and a registered business the cap remains $5,000.
  • MFM’s budgetary contribution is increased from 50% to 60% of the applicant’s eligible budget.

3. Build Program Changes

MFM is increasing the maximum awards for the Build levels. The increases are as follows:

  • Build – Level 1: Funding award is increased to $5,000 from a maximum of $3,000.
  • Build – Level 2: Funding award is increased to $20,000 from a maximum of $15,000.

4. Perform program changes

  • Starmaker eligible artists can now apply for Perform program funding.
  • The maximum number of days between concerts has been increased to 30 days from the previous criteria of seven.
  • Festival performances can count for a maximum of two concerts in an applicant’s budget. Applicants must perform on separate days for the additional concert to be counted in the budget. Previously, festival performances were only eligible as one concert, regardless of number of performances.
  • MFM’s budgetary contribution is increased from 50% to 60% of the applicant’s eligible budget.

5. Indigenous IMPACT program, new tier: Level 2, $10,000

To further support Manitoba-based Indigenous artists, MFM is introducing a new tier to the IMPACT program, IMPACT Level 2, which has a $10,000 award. The higher tier is aimed at supporting developing artists who have previously received MFM funding.

  • IMPACT Level 1: $5,000, representing up to 100% of the applicant’s budget.
  • New IMPACT Level 2: $10,000, representing up to 100% of the applicant’s budget.

IMPACT Level 2 criteria:

  • Applicants must have received MFM funding from any program (IMPACT Level 1, Produce, Promote, or Perform).
  • Applicants are required to have a registered business or be incorporated and be registered in MFM’s online application portal.
  • A budget is required at the time of application. 

IMPACT Level 1 will remain $5,000 and open only to persons who have not previously received MFM funding.
Additional IMPACT criteria: An artist can receive a maximum of one IMPACT grant per program level in their career (example: one Level 1, and one Level 2).  

6. Produce program: Previous Produce and Produce Out of Province Artist applications must be closed to be able to make a new application to that program.

Applicants are now required to close previous Produce (recording) and Produce Out of Province Artist (OPA) applications prior to applying to the program for additional grants. As a reminder, applicants can only receive one Produce or Produce OPA grant per program level during MFM’s fiscal year (one Level 1, one Level 2, and one Level 3 per year).

Produce music program and Produce—Out-of-Province Artists music program deadlines

  • May 15, 2025 at 5 p.m.
  • September 18, 2025 at 5 p.m.
  • January 22, 2026 at 5 p.m.

This includes Produce Demo, Level 1, Level 2 and Level 3 as well as Produce—Out-of-Province Artists Demo, Level 1 and Level 2 applications. 

Build music program deadline

  • June 19, 2025 at 5 p.m.

This includes Build Level 1 and Build Level 2 applications.

Indigenous: IMPACT program deadline

  • November 13, 2025 at 5 p.m.

This includes Indigenous: IMPACT Level 1 and Indigenous: IMPACT Level 2 applications.

Applications must be made using our online portal and applicants must first register with the system. Please note that it can take up to three business days for an applicant’s user access to be authorized by staff, and up to three additional business days for the applicant’s profile to be completed and approved. Applicants must complete both of these steps before they can submit an application. First-time applicants are encouraged to meet with music department staff at least 30 days in advance of submitting their application so that we can assist with the process.

Please refer to the program guidelines for each program on the MFM website.

Please reach out to music department staff if you have any questions.
 

Get up-to-date info by following us on Facebook and Instagram.