music

Nominations open for the 2025 National Indigenous Music Awards

Phoebe Blogg Published June 11, 2025 at 1.30pm (AWST)

Behind the scenes at a prior NIMA's event. (Image: Benjamin Warlngundu Ellis)

Nominations are open for the 2025 National Indigenous Music Awards.

This year, crowds from across the country will once again congregate under the stars at the annual award ceremony and music festival presented by YouTube.

Set to take place on August 9 at Garamilla/Darwin's Darwin Amphitheatre, nominations calling out for the country's most exciting and significant First Nations talent are due to close June 16. Interested and eager First Nations creatives wishing to apply are being encouraged to do so soon.

NIMAs 2025 creative producer Libby Collins shared her excitment surrounding the event's return.

"The NIMAs are excited to be back for 2025 and continuing to celebrate First Nations achievement on the big stage, here on Larrakia Land," she said.

"Alongside our new partner Youtube we look forward to seeing everyone in Garramilla (Darwin) in August."

*Behind the scenes at a prior NIMA's event. (Image: @the.nimas)*

Over more than 20 years of celebrating Indigenous artists, the NIMAs have progressively grown as a platform championing Indigenous music from all corners of the land, from honouring esteemed musical icons to launching the careers of new musicians, the event continues to spotlight Indigenous musicians through live performances, thought-provoking discussion, and formal recognition.

With performers including YothuYindi and Dr G. Yunupingu (Gurrumul), to Jessica Mauboy, Dan Sultan and modern groundbreakers like 3%, Miss Kannina and more, the NIMAs remain an important calendar event for audiences and artists alike, from all ages and all cultures, gathering to experience and honour the best in Indigenous music.

The year the event will also proudly unveil a new partnership with YouTube. As part of this partnership, MusicNT, with YouTube, will work on new initiatives to celebrate and honour Indigenous music past and present, while also propelling the NIMAs into a global future.

For the first time, the NIMAs will be shared and showcase Indigenous music to international audiences through a global livestream on YouTube.

*Behind the scenes at a prior NIMA's event. (Image: Instagram @darwinfestival)*

Head of YouTube Australia and New Zealand, Ed Miles shared how the new partnership is truly special for both parties.

"It's a truly special year for both YouTube and the NIMAs as we each celebrate two decades of impact. For 20 years, YouTube has been a launchpad for artists worldwide, and the NIMAs have been championing Indigenous music in Australia," he said.

"This partnership underscores our common vision: to empower artists and ensure their stories and sounds resonate with audiences everywhere, and we can't wait to spotlight incredible First Nations talent and share these spectacular awards with the world."

You can now nominate your favourite artist, music release and more from the past year online. Nominations will close on June 16.

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