Moose Knuckles and Prism Prize, administered by the Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television have just announced the recipients of their Moose Knuckles Heatmakers x Prism Prize Music Video Production Grant. The grant offers up-and-coming Canadian rap and hip-hop talents the opportunity to create top-quality music video content with funding up to $35,000.
The three gifted recipients of this inaugural grant include the multitalented and prolific creator, Sean Leon, who will also act as the “Ambassador” for this round of funding. Sean will receive an additional $15,000 towards his music video project, bringing his total to $35,000. Alongside Sean, self-taught creative and multidisciplinary audio-visual artist, iaamSaam, and the rapidly consolidating reputation of Skiifall will receive $20,000 each as part of an innovative team along with a producer and director.
This impressive musically diverse group is redefining the industry and plays a significant role in paving the way for the future of Canadian hip-hop. The recipients were chosen by a highly esteemed Selection Committee, including Canadian rapper, record producer, DJ, and record executive, Kardinal Offishall, along with multi-award-winning Canadian rapper, producer, performer, Haviah Mighty, recording artist, and producer, Junia-T, Moose Knuckles Global Artistic Director, Carlos Nazario, and Toronto-based writer and creative consultant, Hazel Ong.
With more than 170 applications from across Canada, the jury for this program shortlisted 25 out of the impressive submissions, which was then shared with the Selection Committee, who narrowed it down to the final three recipients for the first round of the Heatmakers Grant.
This grant is part of the Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television’s commitment to nourishing Canada’s thriving rap and hip-hop community. The creative teams, who will be working alongside the artists to create the music videos funded by the Heatmakers Grant, are integral to bringing the visions for these projects to life.
The Moose Knuckles Heatmakers x Prism Prize Music Video Production Grant is administered by the Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television, an organization that promotes and supports homegrown Canadian creative projects while inspiring and developing the next generation of talent. Congrats to the recipients, whose projects are not only set to impact the music.
To learn more about the Moose Knuckles Heatmakers x Prism Prize Music Video Production Grant, visit MKHeatmakers.PrismPrize.com.
“We’re thrilled to announce the inaugural recipients of the Moose Knuckles Heatmakers x Prism Prize Music Video Production Grant! Join us in celebrating the talented hip-hop & rap artists who will use their 🔥creativity to create gripping music videos.”
www.instagram.com/mooseknucklescanada
• Sean Leon (@seanleon)- “Gravity,” directed by Jorden Lee (@byjorden) and produced by Imad Elsheikh (@imad.eth) (@pique)
• Skiifall (@skiifalls) – “Undawull,” directed by Aimé Irabahaye (@aimeiraba) and produced by Zion Lipstein-Saffer (@zizo_ls) & Joshua Rosenbaum (@therosenbaum) (@neufcinq.films)
• iaamSaam (@iaamsaam) – “Need No. 1”, directed by Isabel Okoro (@isabelokoro) and produced by adé abegunde (@ade.jpg) (@localglobal.world)
About the Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television
The Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television is the largest non-profit professional arts organization in Canada with a membership of more than 4,000 emerging and established English and Francophone industry professionals. Founded in 1979, the Canadian Academy is dedicated to recognizing, celebrating, and advocating for Canadian talent in the film, television, and digital media sectors while remaining committed to nurturing all levels of talent through professional development, networking opportunities, and guidance that contribute to industry growth, inclusion, and mentorship. The Canadian Academy annually produces the Canadian Screen Awards, bringing together the screen-based industries to honour and celebrate the country’s top talent during Canadian Screen Week, as well as the Gémeaux Awards, which recognize the best in French-language television and digital media productions in Canada.
The Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television proudly acknowledges the support of its Leading Media Partner, CBC; Premier Partner, Telefilm Canada; Platinum Partner, Bell Media; and its Lead Partners, Netflix, the Canada Media Fund, Cineplex, the Cogeco Fund, and WBD Access Canada.
For information on membership and programming, visit academy.ca
About Moose Knuckles
Moose Knuckles, based in Montreal, Canada, is one of the world’s leading producers of luxury outerwear, sportswear, and accessories. The brand was founded by Canadians whose family heritage traces back 100 years in the tailored and parka manufacturing business. Moose Knuckles crafts resilient garments for the most unforgiving conditions, from the tundra to the city. The brand has become globally known for its relentless commitment to product design and technical expertise alongside its irreverent spirit and energy, inspired by the Moose, a fearless creature that has no predators in the wild. Moose Knuckles is carried at its boutiques, exclusive international luxury department stores, and independent retailers.
About Prism Prize
The Prism Prize is an annual event that recognizes outstanding artistry in music video production through a slate of awards including the Grand Prize, which carries the largest cash prize in the world for music videos. Established in 2012, this annual honour gathers a jury of more than 130 Canadian arts professionals who vote to crown one video as best of the year. Previous winners of the Grand Prize have included Theo Kapodistrias for Haviah Mighty’s Thirteen (2021), Peter Huang for Jessie Reyez’s Far Away (2020), and Emily Kai Bock for Arcade Fire’s Afterlife (2014).
The Prism Prize is a division of the Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television, an organization that shares the common goal of promoting and supporting homegrown Canadian creative projects while inspiring and developing the next generation of talent.
Prism Prize proudly acknowledges its Patron Partner, The Slaight Family Foundation, its Lead Partners, Telefilm Canada, FACTOR and the Government of Canada, and Canada’s Private Radio Broadcasters, and its Supporting Partners, William F. White International Inc. and Stingray.
For information, please visit PrismPrize.com.