Hosted at Ottawa’s National Arts Centre, the 2025 Ontario Folk Music Awards took place on Wednesday, October 15, 2025. The sold-out event was hosted by local, JUNO-Award winning artist, Angelique Francis, who gave a showstopping performance with The Angelique Francis Band, in addition to performances by Evan Rotella, Julian Taylor, Larry Folk, Sam Drysdale, and Savannah Shea. The 2025 Ontario Folk Music Awards debuted a new category, Music Video of the Year, which will remain an award category going forward.
The evening paid tribute to four outstanding contributors to Ontario’s folk music community. The Estelle Klein Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Al Rankin, and the Estelle Klein Community Builder Award recognized John and Michele Law. The inaugural Culture in Climate Award honoured Steven Dagenais, and the Colleen Peterson Songwriting Award, presented by the Ontario Arts Council, was awarded to Evan Rotella for his song “Maryanne.”
The 2025 Ontario Folk Music Award winners are:
Song of the Year
“Best Remembered” by Savannah Shea (Savannah Shea)
Album of the Year
“Anniversary” by Abigail Lapell
Recording Artist of the Year
Julian Taylor
Performing Artist of the Year
Jessica Pearson and the East Wind
Music Video of the Year
“Khayal” by Kazdoura
Culture in Climate Award
Steven Dagenais
Colleen Peterson Songwriting Award (Presented by Ontario Arts Council)
“Maryanne” by Even Rotella
Estelle Klein Community Builder Award
John and Michele Law
Estelle Klein Lifetime Achievement Award
Al Rankin
About Folk Canada:
Folk Canada is a national music industry association that combines the previously existing organizations Folk Music Ontario and Folk Music Canada. This evolution is the result of years of sector and member consultation, collaboration, and a vision to work together, share knowledge, and pool resources to support a sustainable folk music industry across Canada.
About the Folk Music Ontario Conference:
The 2025 Folk Music Ontario Conference will take place October 15-19 in Ottawa, Ontario at the Delta Hotels Ottawa City Centre. Be sure to check out the rest of the Folk Music Ontario programming and Showcase lineup here and get your conference pass and tickets. Established in 1987, the Folk Music Ontario Conference has been the largest gathering of the professional Folk Music community in Canada. Since the inaugural gathering as the Ontario Council of Folk Festivals, FMO has connected artists and presenters through showcasing, one-on-one meetings, networking, peer sessions, panels, mentorship, and other career development opportunities.