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:

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

The competition goal was to compose the music and/or create the sound design for the short film provided by SoundTrack_Cologne.

Unfortunately the deadline to submit your work was April 15, 2025 at 10:00am CEST.

If you interested to join next time, sign up to our newsletter!

NEWSLETTER

Yes, as long as you are an active student in the field of sound design/sound and/or composition at an European film and/or music school, there is no age limit.

Yes, you can enter the contest as a team, even if several people worked on sound design/music only.

This means: It's up to you, if you are 2 (or more) composers, or a composer and a sound designer, or a composer and (a) musician, or 2 (or more) sound designers, or another combination.

If you worked in a team, you have to upload the movie with music and sound design of you and your partner and an mp3 file with your work only. If you worked as a team of composer and sound designer, please 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).

Please allow a few more lines about participating as a group:

• If a team of composers submits music for the competition together, the team is considered a single unit. If they win, they will also receive the prize - the recording of a new composition with the WDR Funkhausorchester - together.
• The music to be recorded with the WDR Funkhausorchester would then also be a composer team effort. As the prize cannot be split, the recording will always be a team effort.
• If you would like to win the prize individually or record a single piece with the WDR Orchestra, our advice would be to submit your own composition for the competition and not as a team.

If you don't have the possibilities to use real instruments, sound libraries are fine.

The short version:

NO!

If you use AI Tools to generate the composition! Use your own creativity!

YES!

If you use AI Tools only for mixing, EQing, mastering, effects and synth/sample/sound-creation, but not for composition!

The long version:

The competition encourages the use of human-made creativity over AI creative processes. Therefore, 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.

You can choose if you want to compose the music, do the sound design or do both. There will be no disadvantages if you only do one of them, because there will be two different prizes for both, music and sound design.

It is possible to submit more than one project, but they need to differ in every creative aspect from each other. This means that you can’t use the same sound design with just different music on it.

Referring to articles 3.9 to 3.9.3 of the competition regulations you have to send ONE ZIP-file named "yourlastname_yourfirstname.ext" with the following content:

• A portrait photo (max. 1.000 x 1.000px) named "yourlastname_yourfirstname.ext".
• 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 video file of the competition film shall contain your team's work, not your individual part of the team work!
• An MP3 file with your music and/or sound design. Please make sure to keep the beep sound in your file. If you worked in a team, the MP3 shall contain your team's work./li>
• Only if you worked in a team: Please also include your part of the work as an 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).
• Only if you did both music and sound design: Please also include separate MP3 files with music only and sound design only.

Please 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.
• accessible without an expiry date.

Example 1: My name is John Doe and I am a composer and worked alone. What do I have to submit?
One ZIP file named Doe_John.zip with the following content:

• A portrait photo (max. 1.000 x 1.000px) named Doe_John.jpg (or other image format).
• The provided video file of the competition film with my music and/or sound design as .mp4-file or .mov-file.
• An MP3 file with my music and/or sound design. The beep sound I keep in my file.

Example 2: My name is Jane Doe and I am a sound designer and worked with a composer. What do I have to submit?
One ZIP file named Doe_Jane.zip with the following content:

• A portrait photo (max. 1.000 x 1.000px) named Doe_Jane.jpg (or other image format).
• The provided video file of the competition film with our team's music and sound design as .mp4-file or .mov-file.
• An MP3 file with our team's music and sound design. The beep sound we keep in our sound file.
• An additional MP3 file with the sound design only. The beep sound I keep in my sound file.

We prefer common filehosting-services like Dropbox, MyAirBridge or WeTransfer. Please make sure, that...

• ... your files are downloadable without prior registration or request.
• ... the download link does not expire until the end of the festival.

If you do not hold a European citizenship, you must at least study at a European film and/or music school.

Yes, of course!

Although the United Kingdom has left the European Union, it is still a European country. And therefore, of course we are happy to receive submissions from the United Kingdom!

Do you have more questions, that are not answered yet?

Send us an email!