2025 Ontario Folk Music Awards: Winners Announced!

Folk Canada is pleased to announce the 2025 Ontario Folk Music Award winners!

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

Click here for more info on the awards