European Talent Competition

EUROPEAN TALENT COMPETITION 2025

EUROPEAN TALENT COMPETITION 2025

11 July 2025 · 10:30 · ODEON Kino 2

Sixteen composers and sound designers from fourteen nominated entries are in the running for this year’s EUROPEAN TALENT AWARD. Some of them collaborated in teams, others worked individually on their submission.

The winners will be announced at the festive awards ceremony on July 11th at the WDR Funkhaus. The competition screening will take place on Friday, July 11th at 10:30 at ODEON Cinema. To buy the tickets for the screening, click here. Holders of a valid accreditation for Friday, July 11, 2025 can attend the competition screening for free!

The EUROPEAN TALENT COMPETITION provides a platform specifically for emerging talents in film music and sound design.

Participants had the choice to either compose the original score or to create the sound design for the short film "BLOOM" (directed by Michael Dämmig) - or to re-score the film in a collaborative team of composer and sound designer.

The nominees (in alphabetical order):

Jamie Alpherts (Score), Jakob Altmann (Score), Luis Cantú (Score), Melanie Gäb (Sound design), Michael Kaspar (Score), Stefan Kiechle (Score), Aaron Kolbl (Sound design), Benjamin Alan Kubaczek (Score and Sound design), Robert Landskron (Score), Felix Lopp (Score), Gabriel Massé (Sound design), Xiangming Niu (Score), Samuel Pfeil (Score), Vincent Roy (Sound design), Sam van Stempvoort (Sound design), and Lucia Vité (Score).

The nominees and their new scores for “BLOOM” will be presented to audience and jury by Yati Durant.

The winner of the WDR FILMSCORE AWARD will have the opportunity to record an original composition of 7 – 9 minutes length with the WDR Funkhausorchester – for many young composers, this could be their first opportunity to record with a large orchestra and the beginning of filling out their film-scoring calling card.

The winner for the best SOUND DESIGN will receive a 5.1 cinematic mix down in the prestigious sound mixing studio toruspost.

Find out more information about our nominees and the jury members.

Nominees 2025
  • All
  • Score
  • Sound Design
Jamie Alpherts

Jamie Alpherts is a Dutch/English composer for concert, media, and live performance based in the Netherlands. He finished his bachelor studies at the Royal Conservatory of The Hague in 2022, together with a Minor in piano and orchestral conducting.

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Jamie Alpherts

Nominee European Talent Competition

Jakob Altmann

Jakob Altmann is currently studying at University of Music and Theatre Munich. He has won the Youth Composing Competition „Jugend Komponiert Bayern“ every year from 2020 to 2022.

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Jakob Altmann

Nominee European Talent Competition

Luis Cantú

Luis Cantú is a Mexican composer and performer born in Mexico City. His creative journey revolves around crafting soundscapes, composing pieces for concerts, mixed ensembles, and visual media, as well as arranging works for symphony orchestras.

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Luis Cantú

Nominee European Talent Competition

Melanie Gäb

Melanie Gäb is a sound designer from Germany and a music instruments enthusiast. Her works include the Sound design for the short film "Do You See What I See?".

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Melanie Gäb

Nominee European Talent Competition

Michael Kaspar

Michael Kaspar is a composer, sound designer and music producer based in Berlin. In March 2025, he completed his Bachelor's degree in the study programme Audio Design at the SRH Berlin School of Popular Arts.

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Michael Kaspar

Nominee European Talent Competition

Stefan Kiechle

Stefan Kiechle is currently studying Ton und Bild at the Robert-Schumann Hochschule in Düsseldorf. He particularly focuses on composing for media, where he's worked on a variety of projects.

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Stefan Kiechle

Nominee European Talent Competition

Aaron Kolbl

Aaron Kolbl is a sound designer from Oberhausen, Germany. In addition to his studies at the Institut für Musik und Medien, Aaron also works as a freelance audio technician and as a boom operator for various university projects.

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Aaron Kolbl

Nominee European Talent Competition

Robert Landskron

Born in Frankfurt am Main, Robert Landskron started playing the piano at the age of six. He has produced several short films for which he wrote his own scores, and from 2019 to 2022, Robert also completed a professional training course at the SWR.

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Robert Landskron

Nominee European Talent Competition

Benjamin Alan Kubaczek

Benjamin Alan Kubaczek is a composer, performer, and sound artist working across classical, electroacoustic, and cinematic music. Since 2020, he has focused on electroacoustic composition and is currently pursuing a Master's degree in Graz.

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Benjamin Alan Kubaczek

Nominee European Talent Competition

Felix Lopp

Felix Lopp is a freelance jazz pianist and composer. In 2020, Felix I decided to study composition and piano at the HMT in Leipzig, where he developed a growing interest in cinematic music, orchestration and working with sample libraries and DAWs.

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Felix Lopp

Nominee European Talent Competition

Gabriel Massé

Gabriel Massé is a student from France. He is currently in his first year of studying sound design at "Studio-M" in Villeurbanne, France.

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Gabriel Massé

Nominee European Talent Competition

Xiangming Niu

Xiangming Niu is a composer specializing in music for film, theatre, and concert. She holds bachelor's degree in Composition and Film Scoring from Berklee College of Music.

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Xiangming Niu

Nominee European Talent Competition

Samuel Pfeil

Samuel Pfeil is currently studying "Composition for Film and Media" at the Hochschule für Musik und Theater München (University of Music and Theater, Munich).

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Samuel Pfeil

Nominee European Talent Competition

Vincent Roy

Vincent Roy is a sound designer and musician originally from France and based in Estonia since 2020. In 2022, he started a BA in Audiovisual Media at the Baltic Film and Media School of Tallinn. He works as a freelancer in sound post-production.

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Vincent Roy

Nominee European Talent Competition

Sam van Stempvoort

Sam van Stempvoort has been producing music since the age of 12, mainly focusing on electronic dance music. He recently completed a part-time music production course, as well as an audio-visual and audio post-production course.

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Sam van Stempvoort

Nominee European Talent Competition

Lucia Vité

Lucia Vité is a composer and musicology student from Geneva, Switzerland. President of ''Gli alterati'', Lucia is active in student music life. She composes, conducts choirs and orchestras, and performs in a rock band.

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Lucia Vité

Nominee European Talent Competition

Jury Members 2025
Detlef Bothe

Detlef Bothe is a German filmmaker, actor, and founder of B-Filme, established in 2001 with the award-winning underground feature Feiertag, which earned the Special Jury Prize at the Munich Film Festival for innovation and boldness.

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Detlef Bothe

Filmmaker, Actor

Stephan Colli

With well over 30 years of expertise in the film industry, Stephan Colli has since worked as a studio manager on national and international cinema and television films, series, radio plays, games and commercials.

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Stephan Colli

Studio Manager, Sound Editor, Sound Designer

Dascha Dauenhauer

Dascha Dauenhauer has been working as a film composer since 2015, collaborating on numerous feature films. The film Jibril (by Henrika Kull) had its premiere at the Berlin International Film Festival in 2018.

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Dascha Dauenhauer

Composer

Professor Frank Döhmann

Working with BOOGIE ENTERTAINMENT from 2017 to 2025 as Head of Production, developing international drama series with ZDF STUDIOS and partners from France (France Television Distribution), New Zealand and Japan (NHK).

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Professor Frank Döhmann

Line Producer, Executive Producer

Corinna Rottschy

After studying music in schools, Corinna Rottschy studied vocals and was employed at WDR, first as a speaker and then as a broadcasting editor. She has been manager of the WDR Funkhausorchester since 2014.

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Corinna Rottschy

Orchestral Manager

BLOOM

BLOOM

Life isn‘t equally sunny for all: Karl, a tree less fortunate than the trees around him, finds a chance for social acceptance in a fallen mango. But thanks to a cheeky little monkey, Karl realizes what truly makes him happy.

Directed and animated by: Michael Dämmig
Duration: 3'53"
Visual effects: Philipp Kaufhold
Author: Stefan Dämmig
Composer original music and sound design: Fabian Zeidler and Marius Schaaf
Producer: Luisa Beuschlein
DOP: Pasindu Goldmann
Date and country of production: 2023, Germany
Graduation Film at the ifs - International Film School Cologne

 

WDR Filmscore Award

The winner of the WDR FILMSCORE AWARD will have the opportunity to record an original composition of 7–9 minutes length with the WDR Funkhausorchester.

EUROPEAN TALENT AWARD SOUND DESIGN

The winner of the EUROPEAN TALENT AWARD SOUND DESIGN will receive a 5.1 cinematic mix down in the prestigious sound mixing studio toruspost.

Participation Regulations • European Talent Competition

Regulations EUROPEAN TALENT COMPETITION at SoundTrack_Cologne 22, 2025:

1) QUALIFICATION
To join the EUROPEAN TALENT COMPETITION in the categories “WDR FILMSCORE AWARD” and “SOUND DESIGN” you have to be:

1.1 ...an active student in the field of composition and/or sound design/sound at an European film and/or music school (without age limit)

or

1.2 ...a European creative in the field of composition/music and/or sound design and younger than 31 years (i.e. by the time of your submission to the EUROPEAN TALENT AWARD, you must be aged 30 or under)

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2) APPLICATION
Your application for the SoundTrack_Cologne 22 competition will only be processed if:

2.1 ...you fill in the application form correctly and fully in English. Wrong details or entries like “blank blank blank”, “Please request this at …”, links to websites or similar entries will automatically lead to a disqualification of the submission!

2.2 ...you study in the areas of composing, music, sound design, sound, editing, or you are younger than 31 years

2.3 ...you have sent a complete application including your short biography, filmography and photography

2.4 ...you have read and accepted our participation conditions and the students' set of rules as stated below

2.5 ..you have accepted to provide further personal details together with your actual submission

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3) SET OF RULES – Please read carefully!!!

there are no rules - except:

3.1 Create your own world of sounds!

3.2 Create your own world of music!

3.3 Create your own "audiosphere" in relation to the visual world of the film.

3.4 No compilation or usage of archived music is allowed! Of course the usage of SFX and sample sound libraries is allowed!

3.5 The competition encourages the use of human-made creativity over AI creative processes. The use of generative AI tools in the compositions is not permitted. However, machine-learning AI tools such as for mixing, EQing, mastering, effects, and synth/sample/sound-creation tools are allowed. Failure to disclose the use of such not-permitted AI tools in submissions will result in disqualification.

3.6 Musical composition and sound design will be judged as two creative arts that complement one another in a significant and distinctive way. Of course musical elements and those of sound design can take over the function of each other. Sounddesigner and composer will based on their reply in the respective question automatically join the competition in the discipline “Sounddesign” and / or “Filmscore” (WDR Filmscore Award).

3.7 Even if the prize will be a recording session with a symphonic orchestra that does not mean that the jury will prefer orchestral works! Find the sounds and music that show your creativity, give the jury an impression of your special musical character. Convince them by being a distinctive composer! But don’t forget: You have to score and create sounds for that specific film “BLOOM”, pay close attention to the dramaturgy, the characters and the emotions!

3.8 To complete your submission, please follow the link provided with the email about your application. Fill in the submission form (not the application form - this is only used in the first step):
- Personal details
- Short biography (max 500 characters) in English language
- Filmography (max 4.000 characters) in English language
- Information about your studies and current work

3.9 Upload your data in one ZIP-file named "yourlastname_yourfirstname.zip" to a server or online platform of your choice. Please note the following requirements:

3.9.1 Include the following files in your ZIP file:
a) A portrait photo (max. 1.000 x 1.000px) named "yourlastname_yourfirstname.ext"
b) An MP3 file with your music and/or sound design. Please make sure to have the beep sound in your file. If you worked in a team, the MP3 shall contain your team's work. 
c) The provided video file of the competition film with your music and/or sound design as .mp4-file or .mov-file. If you worked in a team, the provided video file of the competition film shall contain your team's work, not your individual part of the team work!
d) Only if you worked in a team: Please also include your part of the work as additional MP3 file (e.g. if you composed the score, the MP3 should contain the score only. If you did the sound design, the MP3 should contain the sound mix only).
e) Only if you did both music and sound design: Please also include separate MP3 files with music only and sound design only.

3.9.2 Make sure, that your ZIP-file is accessible without prior registration (e.g. on Dropbox and similar platforms). Put the link (and password if needed) in the respective fields in the submission form.

3.9.3 Make sure, that your ZIP-file is accessible without an expiry date.

3.10 File format for the audio files is Stereo, mp3 with 320 kbps and a resolution of 48kHz. Only the nominees will later on be asked to send wav files.

3.11 For the competition screening we are going to synchronize the audio files with the picture. To be safe please set a beep on your audio file exactly at the same position where you find the beep in the quicktime – 2” before the first image.

3.12 DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSIONS: TUESDAY, APRIL 15th, 2024, 10:00AM CET.

3.13 The SoundTrack_Cologne committee will select the 12 best entries for the final shortlist. Shortlisted films will be shown during SoundTrack_Cologne 22 in front of the public audience and the jury.

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4) Further Regulations

SoundTrack_Cologne is the organiser of the competition “EUROPEAN TALENT COMPETITION” which will take place during SoundTrack_Cologne 22. The contestant will participate in the competition and will, within this context, create a new soundtrack (music / sound design) for the following film:

Directed & Animated by: Michael Dämmig
Duration: 3'53"
Visual Effects: Philipp Kaufhold
Author: Stefan Dämmig
Composer Original Music and Sound Design: Fabian Zeidler and Marius Schaaf
Producer: Luisa Beuschlein
DOP: Pasindu Goldmann
Date and country of production: 2023, Germany
Graduation Film at the ifs - International Film School Cologne

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Article 1 - Transfer of Right of Use

1.1
The contestant permits SoundTrack_Cologne to
a) perform,
b) broadcast,
c) archive,
d) and in small quantities for non-commercial distribution to copy on DVD

the subject of the contract which has been processed by him during the competition as well as the documentation of the competition.

1.2
If the version of the film processed by the contestant wins an award the contestant is entitled to use this version for personal non-commercial promotional purposes (Show Reel [only used for applications. It is not allowed to publish a show reel containing the short film “BLOOM” – in full length or parts of it – on the own or any other website, please read §1.4 below], application documents etc.) in conjunction with the following credits:

The film “BLOOM” processed during the EUROPEAN TALENT COMPETITION at SoundTrack_Cologne 22 is used with kind permission of Michael Dämmig (rights holder).

1.3
Every other use of the subject of the film “BLOOM” in its original version or in the relevant processed version is subject to the permission of the holder of the rights in each case.

1.4
It is strictly prohibited to publish the film “BLOOM” – in full length or parts of it – on any sites of the World Wide Web – even if it has your music/sound. Every public use of the film has to be permitted by the owners of the film rights.

Article 2 - Remuneration
The contestant will receive no payment for activities carried out within the context of this contract.
 

Article 3 - Further Provisions
This contract shall be construed and enforced according to the laws of the German Federal Republic. No subsidiary verbal agreements have been reached. Both parties must acknowledge changes and amendments to this contract in writing.

If any part of this contract is found to be partly or totally invalid or unenforceable by a court of law the validity of the remaining sections shall not be affected.

Article 4 – The applicant’s email address
To participate in the EUROPEAN TALENT COMPETITION it is necessary to allow us to use your email address for information purposes about the EUROPEAN TALENT COMPETITION.

Regulations of the WDR Funkhausorchester 
1.) Definition of the conditions for the continuation of the cooperation between the WDR Funkhausorchester Cologne and SoundTrack_Cologne, organised by Televisor Troika GmbH:

The winner of the Film Music Competition of SoundTrack_Cologne in the category filmscore (WDR Filmscore Award) will be given the opportunity to record an own score composition (of 7-9 minutes for a future film or media project) with the WDR Funkhausorchester Cologne. The recording session will be held in the WDR concert studio for the duration of one working day.

2.) The composer shall retain the rights to the composition. The composer may use the final product of the recording session (Film, Television, DVD etc.) and the recording itself may be used and exploited by the composer (coupling, synchronisation, cutting and processing, broadcasting, film screening, additional processing, streaming). Exploitation for pornographic or ideologically questionable purposes (national socialist, those which glorify violence) are excluded.

3.) Together with the score, the composer shall also provide a detailed description of the project which clearly describes the utilisation of the music. WDR reserves the right to examine the contents of the final product and is given a right of veto, which WDR can exercise should the content framework not be complied with. WDR will only transfer the production rights after this examination has proved successful.

4.) WDR shall be granted the unrestricted (non-exclusive) broadcasting rights, also the right to the first broadcast – as well as the right to be named by the first licensee and by further licensees, as far as this is possible or can be influenced by the composer.

5.) The technical recording format and production-related details shall be bindingly agreed upon in advance by the composer and the department Produktion Musik. Produktion Musik shall, after consultation with the composer, be obliged to provide, as far as possible within the framework of WDR, the technical means (for example, click-track) which are necessary for the successful recording.

6.) a) After the recording session with the WDR Funkhausorchester Cologne, the winner will receive a broadcast-ready stereo mix of his/her recording, produced to WDR standards. In addition to the stereo mix, stems will also be provided. However, individual multi-tracks of single instruments will not be included.

b) The winner has the right to carry out further processing. Once the broadcast-ready stereo mix has been handed over, WDR will not provide either personnel or technical resources and services for further processing of the music.

c) The department Produktion Musik reserves the right to carry out a musical and technical final inspection of the final mix.

d) The date for the recording session with the WDR Funkhausorchester is planned for 23 June 2026 (tbc).

7.) The point of contact in matters of score, conductor, orchestra and guests is the management of the WDR Funkhausorchester Cologne. The point of contact in matters of technical processes, technical settings etc. is the department Produktion Musik.

8.) The score shall be delivered to the office of the orchestra management not later than 8 weeks before the commencement of the recording.

9.) Orchestration of the score: The score must be free of errors and include all necessary performance instructions. The winner agrees to have the score proof-read by his/her supervising professor or by a professional colleague. Additionally, the winner commits to orchestrating the music themselves or seeking assistance from their supervising professor or an experienced orchestrator. WDR reserves the right to cancel the recording or request improvements if the score or orchestration does not meet the standards of the WDR Funkhausorchester.

The score delivered is the non-negotiable basis for the recording process on the day of recording.

If there are any questions or problems, please check our FAQ or contact us any time via europeantalent@soundtrackcologne.de