Music Recording Production Fund

Manitoba Film and Music (MFM)

Agency: Foundation

GrantWatch ID #163259

Grant Description

Grants to Manitoba musicians and groups to record, develop, and distribute new works. First-time applicants must contact the funding source prior to submitting an application. The purpose of the funding is to expand the local music industry and to encourage culturally relevant and commercially viable production activity by providing financial support for costs associated with music recordings.

Applicants may apply under one of three different program levels:

Level 1 – To help you record a demo to be used for calling card purposes or as pre-production for an upcoming full length release, or to record up to four songs intended for commercial release.
Level 2 – To help you record five or more songs to be released for sale through all mediums (including online distribution).
Level 3 – To help you record and manufacture a full length CD with the intent and expectation of commercial release.

For additional information, see: https://mbfilmmusic.ca/files/Guidelines_for_Music_Recording_Production_Fund_2022_FINAL.pdf#page=3

All types and genres of commercially viable music recordings are eligible to apply. Soundtracks must be commercially released and sold separately from the theatre or film project.

Note: As of April 1, 2022, Manitoba Film & Music will accept applications for projects that have completed recording and are at the mixing phase for the project.

The songs submitted with the application to the level 1, 2, and 3 recording programs and intended for the finished project must be unreleased.

For all applications the recording and/or mixing must occur using an accredited recording service (studio, mixer, or producer) for the project to be eligible. Mixing costs are only eligible if the mixing is done in Manitoba. Mastering can occur at any mastering studio and be considered an eligible expense. Note: additional points in the jury scoring are awarded for applications fully completed at Manitoba facilities.

All expenses directly related to the production of the recording may be eligible (for example, Manitoba recording studio and mixing costs, artist fees, producer fees, mastering, manufacturing, etc.). These expenses must be set out in advance in a budget submitted along with the application and approved by Manitoba Film & Music prior to the commencement of recording.

For additional information on eligible expenses, see: https://mbfilmmusic.ca/files/Guidelines_for_Music_Recording_Production_Fund_2022_FINAL.pdf#page=4

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Eligibility:

Others (see text field entitled "Additional Eligibility Criteria" for clarification)

Additional Eligibility Criteria:

Eligible applicants: The applicant must be an artist who is a Manitoba resident. The contact person can be a representative of the artist (e.g. manager, label, grant writer).

Manitoba residency requirement: A Manitoba resident means an individual who is legally entitled to be and remain in Canada and is currently a resident of Manitoba and has been for not less than three hundred and sixty-five (365) days prior to the date of application to MFM. In the case of partnerships a minimum of 50% of the partnership must meet this residency requirement.

Minimum age: Please be advised that the minimum age for application to Manitoba Film & Music’s programs is 18. In situations where the artist does not meet the minimum age requirement, a parent or legal guardian may apply on their behalf, providing they agree to the terms and conditions provided in the program guidelines and contract.

The applicant must be registered as a business or incorporated in Manitoba. This business/incorporation must have a valid Manitoba chequing account to be used for this project.

Level III Additional Eligibility Criteria: For Level III applications, the artist must have MFM-recognized distribution and have attained a minimum number of approved sales in order to apply for the program. MFM-recognized distribution and minimum sales requirements may be achieved in the following ways:

1. MFM-recognized distributor: The artist must be party to an executed agreement assuring national distribution of the proposed recording. Please see the list of approved distributors on MFM’s website.
2. Minimum sales requirement: The artist must have sold a minimum of 750 units of their most recent release through any combination of physical sales and monetized downloads. These are quantified as follows:

a) Physical Sales
i) Each CD sold is equivalent of one unit sold
b) Download Sales and Streaming
i) Full album sales – Each paid full-album download is the equivalent of one unit sold
ii) Individual track sales – 5 paid individual track downloads is the equivalent of one unit sold
iii) Streams -1500 on demand album streams is the equivalent of one unit sold
*Must be supported by a current download service provider report

Ineligible applicants: Government departments, public agencies or other public institutions, and public or private broadcasting companies are not eligible.

Compilations by artists, record labels, management companies, and other such groups are not eligible. Live theatre or film projects directly not tied to a commercially released soundtrack recording are not eligible.

Any expenses incurred more than thirty (30) days before the application is submitted will not be accepted.

In-house costs: In-house costs are not accepted as eligible expenses.

Pre-Application Information:

Program Deadlines:
- May 19, 2022
- September 15, 2022

Fully completed applications must be submitted by email before 5 p.m. for each scheduled deadline. Incomplete applications or applications received after the deadline will be declined.

First-time applicants should contact the Music Programs Director or Music Programs Coordinator prior to applying.

Applicants may only apply to one music recording production fund level per deadline and may only be approved to each recording level once per fiscal year (April 1–March 31)

Music Program FAQs: https://mbfilmmusic.ca/en/music/programs/faq

Additional Funding Information:

Estimated Size of Grant:

Level I:
- Demo: Maximum of $2,000.
- Commercial Release: $3,000

Level II Financial Details: MFM’s contribution will be in the form of a grant and may be up to 75% of a project’s total budget.
Level II: Maximum of $10,000.

Level III Financial Details: MFM’s contribution will be in the form of a grant and may be up to 60% of a project’s total budget.
Level III: Maximum of $20,000.

Term of Contract:

- Artist must release completed recording within two years of receipt of the letter of commitment.
- Recording and/or mixing can commence and related expenses be incurred up to 30 days prior to the application being received.

Contact Information:

Submit applications to: music@mbfilmmusic.ca

Stephen Carroll, Director, Music Programs
stephen@mbfilmmusic.ca
(204) 947-2040, Ext. 12

Bonnie Seidel, Music Programs Coordinator
bonnie@mbfilmmusic.ca
(204) 947-2040, Ext. 24

Manitoba Film and Music
Suite 410 - 93 Lombard Avenue
Winnipeg, MB, Canada, R3B 3B1