The 2025 Australian Folk Music Awards (AFMAs) lit up the Brunswick Ballroom last night with an unforgettable celebration of music, culture, and community. Artists, presenters, and audiences came together from across Australia to honour the country’s most inspiring folk musicians and contributors.
A special thank you went to finalist Kankawa Nagarra and Archer, who opened the evening with a powerful performance, setting the tone for a night rich with storytelling and connection.
“A brilliant and diverse night of Australian folk music.” – Keith Preston, President of Folk Alliance Australia
Fifteen awards were presented across a broad range of categories, showcasing the depth and diversity of the national folk scene.
2025 AFMAs Winners
● Album of the Year – Contemporary: Whispering Sky – Tenzin Choegyal
● Album of the Year – Traditional: Ebb and Flow – Maggie Carty
● Album/EP of the Year – Debut: The High Street Drifters – The High Street Drifters
● Folk Artist of the Year (Solo): Noriko Tadano
● Folk Artist of the Year (Duo): Broken Creek
● Folk Artist of the Year (Group/Ensemble): MZAZA
● Youth Artist of the Year: Rupert Bullard
● Instrumentalist of the Year: Robert Zielinski
● Folk Community/Cultural Project of the Year: The Jingili Song Project
● Zulya Kamalova Award (Best Song in Languages Other Than English): ZÖJ
● People’s Choice Award: Murphy’s Pigs (runner-up: The Water Runners)
● Contribution to Folk Award: Warren Fahey
● Lifetime Awards: Margret Roadknight, John McAuslan, and Shellie Morris AO
Watch the Replay
The full awards night, featuring live performances by MZAZA, Maggie Carty, Noriko Tadano, Broken Creek, Rupert Bullard, and Robert Zielinski, is available to watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/live/V4D9HLU2J2g
About the AFMAs
The Australian Folk Music Awards, presented by Folk Alliance Australia, celebrate excellence, innovation, and contribution within the Australian folk music community. Since their inception in 2021, the AFMAs have recognised artists and projects that enrich Australia’s cultural landscape through song, story, and connection.
The 2025 AFMAs were proudly supported by Music Australia.