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FYI

Canadian Folk Music Awards Submissions Now Open

The annual Canadian Folk Music Awards will be held in Calgary, Nov. 30 - Dec. 1. Nominations in 19 categories can now be submitted, with June 15 as the final deadline.

Canadian Folk Music Awards Submissions Now Open

By FYI Staff

Submissions are now open for the 2018 CFMAs taking place the weekend of Nov. 30 - Dec. 1, in Calgary, and be aware there are a couple of new rules for contenders.


First, potential nominees should note that the eligibility dates have changed for the annual shindig.

The new window for eligibility for Canadian artist and group albums is that they need to have had a Canadian release between June 1, 2017, and May 31, 2018. As well, 75-percent of the recorded tracks submitted need to new and not previously released by the artist. Hence, compilations featuring one or more new recordings are ineligible.

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Established by Canada’s folk music community, the awards include 19 categories with five nominees selected in each. A two-stage jury process – by 100 jurors representing all official provinces, territories and languages – determine the official recipients in each category.

The $60 fee for early bird submissions is available until April 30, with a final submission deadline of June 15. After April 30, the first submission is $70, with a fee of $60 for each additional.

The submissions portal is here.

The weekend’s focus events will take shape as two hosted Awards Weekend Concerts, which are open to the public. Check the CFMA website for details and upcoming ticketing information.

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Jairus Sharif
Matt Wallace via Jairus Sharif / Instagram

Jairus Sharif

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Calgary Jazz Artist Jairus Sharif Wins the First-Ever Meridian Prize

Sharif's album Basis of Unity is the first recipient of the FACTOR-partnered award that recognizes an album of exceptional artistic achievement from Western and Northern Canada. The award was presented at BreakOut West in Victoria this weekend (Oct. 3).

Jairus Sharif has won the first-ever Meridian Prize.

This weekend, the Calgary experimental jazz musician was awarded the inaugural Meridian Prize for his 2025 album Basis of Unity at BreakOut West festival and conference in Victoria, British Columbia. The brand new prize was introduced this year to recognize an album of exceptional artistic achievement from Western and Northern Canada, serving a similar role as the Polaris Music Prize. In addition to a trophy, Sharif also receives a $5,000 honorarium.

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