Nominations: An artist or song will only be considered for a category (except for fan favourite awards) if they self-nominate for the award category.
Nominator: Submissions for all of the award categories (except fan favourite awards) can only be made by the artist, their manager or authorized representative.
Eligibility Period: All songs, music videos and projects must have been released between January 1, 2024 – December 31, 2024.
Nomination Limit: Participants can self-nominate for up to a maximum of three (3) nominations.
An artist may use all three (3) nominations (3 different songs) for the same award category, if desired.
Submission Deadline: All submissions must be made before 11:59 pm on March 31st, 2025. No extensions will be granted unless specified by the organizers.
Each nomination will be assessed for an individual song, video or album (including artist awards). Multiple nominations can be submitted for a single category.
Nominees may include up to 3 songs within a single submission for the “Versatile Artist of the Year”; however, all submission tracks must have been released within the eligibility period.
Nominations for “Emerging Artist of the Year” must feature artists who debuted after January 2023; however, the submission tracks must have been released within the eligibility period.
Nominees will be shortlisted to three (3) finalistsper award category IIAA based on criteria, not limited to, but including:
Streaming Statistics
Originality of Content
Complexity of Content
Production Quality
Artistic Impact
Creativity
Representation of Culture
Influence and Reach
Shortlisted nominees must confirm their availability to attend the awardsceremony to be considered finalists. Two (2)event tickets will be provided to the finalists by the organizers.
Three (3) finalistsfor each award category will be selected and will be sent to a panel of five (5) judges consisting of industry professionals who will evaluate each final submission.
Fan Favourite Artist and Fan Favourite Mix of an Independent Song will be determined by fan votes.
Fan Favourite Artist
Winner will be decided based on the artist who gets the most fan votes on the iiarts.org website.
Fans must register on the website and become a verified user to vote.
Deadline for fan votes will be at 11:59 pm on April 20th, 2025.
Fan Favourite Mix of an Independent Song
Participants must remix or reimagine any independent songand post on Instagram collaborating with @indieartsassociation and @seesharpent to be considered for this award.
The rules pertaining to this contest will be posted on Instagram.
The award Categories listed as presentation awards (P)will be presented on stage.
The award categories listed asrecognition awards (R) will be announced on stage and may be presented on stage at the discretion of the organizer.
In the context of the event, the term “independent” refers to creators or productions that operate outside the influence of major commercial entities, such as large record labels, film studios, or art institutions.
Submissions that do not follow the specified rules will not be considered.
Submissions that are incomplete will not be considered.
Plagiarism or copyright infringement will result in automatic disqualification.
Organizers will not be responsible for any expenses related to travel and accommodation.
Artists provide consent for the use of their intellectual property in respect to their event.
By participating in IMA 2025, you grant consent for the use of your name, image, likeness, and/or voice in any media, promotional materials, or broadcasts associated with the organization.
