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Welcome to Manitoba Film & Music’s monthly newsletter! We are so excited to launch this new tool, to share exciting news, opportunities, and shine a spotlight on the incredible work being done in both music and film in Manitoba. As Manitobans, we aren’t always good at patting ourselves on the back – we want to remedy that. Our artists are visionary, our craftspeople are dedicated, and we should be singing it from the rooftops.
Our job here at MFM is to support and grow our music and film industries by making connections, supporting your art, and pointing you in the right direction when you need help.
This month, we are spreading the word about Manitoba to film and television producers at the CMPA Primetime conference in Ottawa and studios in Los Angeles in February. We’ll be providing guidance at On Screen Manitoba’s Business Affairs Workshops for Emerging Producers and Filmmakers. And we’re so excited to be a part of supporting Manitoba musicians at Festival du Voyageur (more on that below).
Welcome to our newsletter! We hope you find it to be a useful tool to stay in-the-know for all things music and film in Manitoba. How can you help? Drop us a line when you’ve got a story to share.
Thanks for being a part of our community!
The team at Manitoba Film & Music
On Our Radar: Wookey Films’ Malgré Moi
We chatted with Janelle Wookey at Wookey Films about their new show Malgré Moi. Shot entirely in Winnipeg, the French-language show is making waves on Radio-Canada’s tou.tv. Wookey noted, “We have been getting asked a lot of questions about where we shot from people who assume we had to leave here to capture such dynamic and interesting locations. Always fun to let them know that every single shot is shot right here in Winnipeg.”
How did the idea for this show come together?
The thing we were most excited to explore was the coming together of a Montrealer and the French-speaking community here in Winnipeg. That stayed at the core of our story (and remains at the core of some other work we are also currently developing) and our amazing and talented writers took things from there!
Once you’ve got this idea, how did you go about getting funding and actually getting it made?
We had support developing the idea from Bell and CMF. Eventually Radio-Canada accepted our pitch and after another round of development we finally were ready for production. MFM and CMF supported the show and our amazing tax credit program made it possible for us to bring the show to the next level.
Why was Winnipeg the right place to make this show?
Winnipeg is a character in and of itself in the show which was an important element for us, showcasing our city and surprising non-Manitobans with the character and beauty of the place. We have been getting asked a lot of questions about where we shot from people who assume we had to leave here to capture such dynamic and interesting locations. Always fun to let them know that every single shot is shot right here in Winnipeg.
What was a big challenge you faced during production, and how did you overcome it?
Fun challenges were definitely locations! We used existing Winnipeg establishments like Langside Grocery and Sam’s Place, and touched them up (or at times transformed them into something else) with help from our talented art department. One location that nearly stumped us was an airplane set. Once we found it, we set up in the warehouse behind our production office, powered by like every air conditioner in the province.
What’s your elevator pitch for why someone should check out the show?
I'd say it's a very bingeable, sexy, fun show with new, original characters and a few unexpected twists and turns that defies what many might expect out of a made-in-Manitoba, Canadian TV show.
Where can people watch this show?
You can watch it on tou.tv (Radio-Canada). The show has been doing amazing, exceeding many expectations! We are hopeful our distribution strategy will help the show reach English audiences soon!
More to explore:
Cindy Burke makes Ace Burpee’s Most Fascinating Manitobans list for her sustainability work on Love Hurts
Nuisance Bear selected for 2026 Sundance Film Festival
Noam Gonick selected for DGC’s European Film Market delegation
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You’re invited: MFM Music night at Festival du Voyageur
Join us under the Tente Rivière Rouge on Sunday, February 15. We’ll be enjoying the sounds of Manitoba artists Field Guide and Amos the Kid, followed by Katie Tupper and TOPS. The show starts at 7 p.m. Cross your fingers for good weather, and get your tickets now.
Check out the snow sculptures, wood-carving demonstration, learn about voyageur history, try snowshoeing, feast with the community and so much more. Festival du Voyageur is always the highlight of a Winnipeg winter, and there are so many incredible Manitoba musicians in the lineup. Just a few (more than a few) to note: Holy Void, Morgan Grace, Micah!, Al Simmons, Field Guide, Amos the Kid, Jade Turner, Flora Luna, Dominique Adams, sundayclub, Mise en Scene, Leaf Rapids, Burnstick, Kelly Bado, CEC, Ila Barker, Indian City, Dom & Jacob, Neighbour Andy, Tommyphyll, Alpha Toshineza, Kates Outlaw, and Andrina Turenne. Check out a few, check out them all, but don’t miss the fun!
Festival du Voyageur
February 13 to 22, 2026
MFM Music Night
Sunday, February 15, 2026 | 7:00 PM – 12:00 AM
Tente Rivière Rouge
See the full lineup and get your tickets here.
More to explore:
Congratulations to Manitoba’s Juno nominees!
Robyn Stewart and Rebecca Szymkow from Women in Music Canada make list of Ace Burpee’s Most Fascinating Manitobans
Holy Void and Sundayclub to play the New Colossus Festival in NYC
MFM Programs & Partner Opportunities
Music – Produce Program: May 21
Music – Produce (Out-of-Province Artists) Program: May 21
Film & TV Funding Programs: Opening April 1, 2026
Business Affairs Workshops for Emerging Producers and Filmmakers: Feb 3 to Mar 10
Spotlight
Boy Golden: New Album Best of our Possible Lives coming Feb 13
The Winnipeg Film Group announces the Fall 2025 MFM Marketing Fund Recipients
Psycho Killer hits theatres Feb 20
Did you know?
The Mother and the Bear, which was filmed in Winnipeg in 2023, employed approximately 429 Manitobans for the 24-day shoot, and spent close to $5M in the province. The film was released in theatres this month. Read more in the Winnipeg Free Press.
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