Manitoba Film & Music (MFM) is pleased to announce the following updates to its music programs for the upcoming fiscal year (April 1, 2026-March 31, 2027).
All Programs
Minimum age: Please be advised that the minimum age for application to Manitoba Film & Music’s programs is 18. In situations where the artist is a minor, and no younger than 16, a parent or legal guardian may apply on their behalf. In no case shall a member of a group or a band be younger than 16 years old.
Project expenses on grants: Expenses cannot be claimed across multiple Manitoba Film & Music grants, be it a salary (or portion thereof), one-time costs, contract work, or any other costs.
30-day grace period: Any expenses incurred more than thirty (30) days before the application is submitted will not be accepted.
This rule was previously only in effect for the Produce and Produce Out of Province Artist program. It is now in place for all programs.
Per diem rate increase: Claimable per diem rates are increased to $60 in Canada, $80 in the US, and $100 for EU/UK/other (all funds in CAD).
Residency requirements: If approved for funding, first-time applicants are required to provide proof that they meet MFM’s residency requirements. Proof can be either a bill payment with name and current address, or valid government issued ID with name and address.
Promote Program
Application timing: Recordings must be mastered and ready for release at time of application, except for MFM-funded recording projects where applicants can apply to Promote once the recording process has started, noting that any grant payment will be held until the recording masters are delivered to MFM. The confirmed release date must be indicated in the application.
Previously, recordings for all applicants had to be mastered and ready for release at the time of application.
Produce program
Application stacking: Manitoba Film & Music will allow applicants who have received a Level 1 grant for release of a single or series of singles and who have closed that Level 1 (including releasing the material) to apply for a Level 2 or Level 3 to create a full-length album, where the Level 1 single(s) will form part of the album. The combined Manitoba Film & Music investment from both grants cannot exceed the program Level 2 or 3 respective program maximums. Example: If the artist received a Level 1 award at $3,000 for a single, and then they apply for a Level 2 (Max $10,000) for the rest of the album, the total combined funding of the Level 1 and 2 cannot exceed the Level 2 max funding ($10,000), therefore the max Level 2 award is reduced to $7,000.
30-day grace period, additional detail: Any expenses incurred more than thirty (30) days before the application is submitted will not be accepted. If recording has begun prior to the application’s 30-day grace period established by the submission date, those expenses prior to the grace period are not eligible.
For applications that do not include recording costs, where the applicant is seeking funding for mixing, mastering and related album completion costs, these need to have started within the 30-day grace period.
Produce - Out of Province Artist Program (OPA)
Level 1 - Demo Out of Province Artists discontinued: The Level 1 Demo has been removed from the Produce OPA Program. The Level 1 Commercial Release for Out of Province Artist and Level 2 Out of Province Artist remain options for applicants seeking recording funding.
Program Deadlines
Produce and Produce OPA, Build, Perform and Promote programs are now open to applications for the 2026-2027 fiscal year. IMPACT will open later in the fiscal.
Produce recording program and Produce—Out-of-Province Artists recording program deadlines
May 21, 2026 at 5 p.m.
September 17, 2026 at 5 p.m.
January 21, 2027 at 5 p.m.
This includes Produce Demo, Level 1, Level 2 and Level 3 as well as Produce—Out-of-Province Artists Level 1 and Level 2 applications.
Build music program deadline
June 18, 2026 at 5 p.m.
This includes Build Level 1 and Build Level 2 applications.
Indigenous: IMPACT program deadline
November 12, 2026 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 full program guidelines for each program.
Please reach out to music department staff if you have any questions.