SEE THE SOUND

SEE THE SOUND, the film festival of SoundTrack_Cologne, invites all filmmakers, producers and distributors to submit documentaries, feature films and short films with a focus on music.

Films and music videos whose production was completed after January 1, 2024, and/or premiered after January 1, 2024 are eligible for submission. There are no restrictions regarding the country of production.

The screening print, only requested after the selection process, can be one of the following formats: DCP, BluRay, DVD and digital file (e.g. high-quality ProRes). Music videos should be provided as QuickTime movies. Preview copies are preferred as online screeners!

In addition, the prize for the Best Music Documentary will be awarded at SEE THE SOUND for the twelfth time. The prize winner will receive 2,500 euros.

(Only documentaries are considered for the award. Feature films and shorts are also screened as part of the festival).

Early Bird submission ends March 17, 2025, 10:00am CEST.
Late submission deadline is April 07, 2025, 10:00am CEST.

SEE THE SOUND is dedicated to all forms of motion pictures, that visualise music and sound. Music documentaries, feature films with focus on music (like biopics about musicians or bands, documentaries about concerts, portraits of composers, portraits of bands or music videos) may be submitted.

Since its inception, SoundTrack_Cologne grew as a festival and conference program into Europes leading platform for music and sound in film, games, TV and multimedia in general. With SEE THE SOUND SoundTrack_Cologne offers a platform to outstanding films about music to be presented on the big screen.

Submission Form

Regulations SEE THE SOUND – The film programme of SoundTrack_Cologne 22:

1. General conditions
For the film programme SEE THE SOUND at SoundTrack_Cologne music documentaries, feature films about music and musicians, short films with a focus on music and music videos can be submitted.

2. Organiser and date
SoundTrack_Cologne is held by Televisor Troika GmbH. The festival will take place from July 09 - 13, 2025 in Cologne / Germany.

3. Entry requirements
a) The application deadlines are:

Early submissions go until March 17, 2025 at 10:00AM CEST.
Late submissions close on April 07, 2025 at 10:00AM CEST.

b) Each entry requires a completed and signed entry form and preview copy. Use a separate entry form for each film.
c) The films must be at least 60 minutes long (except short films and music videos).
d) All films whose production was completed after January 1st, 2024 or which had their premiere after January 1st, 2024 are eligible for submission. These conditions are subject to change by the organiser.
e) The presentation at other festivals or a DVD release is not an exclusion criterion, but German premieres are preferred. There are no limitations regarding the country of production.
f) Works cannot be withdrawn after submission.

4. Preview copy / Entries
a) The preferred option is entering the preview copy digitally via online link. There is a field in the application form to fill in the URL. Please make sure that download and/or viewing link remain active till at least July 13th, 2025 and any required password is not changed. Additionally we ask you to provide an access to the preview copy that does not require further registration. If applying via link the signed application form is to be sent digitally to seethesound@soundtrackcologne.de.
b) If the original language of the film is neither German nor English, subtitles in one of those languages are necessary. In the absence of subtitles a film script in German or English must be enclosed during the selection process. If the film is selected, the screening print has to have English or German subtitles.
c) Preview material will remain in the festival archive.

5. Selection
The selection committee will view the preview copies that reach the festival office by April 07, 2025, 10:00am CEST. All entrants will be notified of the selection results in time. The results will be sent by email only. Please send your submission as soon as possible and do not wait until close to the deadline. This will support the selection process. Thank you.

6. Screening print / Accepted film formats
The screening print, only requested after the selection process, can be one of the following formats: DCP, BluRay, DVD and digital file (e.g. high-quality ProRes). Music videos should be provided as QuickTime movies. The video format has to be PAL only (no NTSC, SECAM or similar). If the original language of the film is neither German nor English, subtitles in one of those languages are required.

7. Declaration of agreement
With their signature, the participants and rights holders in the submitted work declare their consent to participation in the festival and their agreement to the rules and regulations in the version here present. The German version of these rules and regulations is binding. There is no right of appeal. In case of doubt the festival management will decide according to international guidelines.

8. Submission fee
Due to the high number of submissions, the festival requires fees to cover administrative costs as follows. The fees are related to the film length and date of submission:

Early Bird Deadline until 17th March: Short films 15 Euros, feature films 25 Euros
Late Deadline until 7th April: Short films 30 Euros, feature films 40 Euros

The festival grants no refunds. Prices only apply for the festival’s own submission service. Submission prices via other platforms may differ.

9. Online form
Please fill in all mandatory fields truthfully and completely. 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!

10. The entry form has to be signed and returned to SoundTrack_Cologne: seethesound@soundtrackcologne.de.

Your submission can NOT be considered without the signed entry form!

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

Winner 2024: ELIS & TOM: IT JUST HAD TO BE YOU

The SEE THE SOUND Award Jury awarded the prize for Best Music Documentary 2024 to "ELIS & TOM: IT JUST HAD TO BE YOU" (Elis & Tom: Só Tinha de Ser com Você) by Roberto de Oliveira and Jom Tob Azulay.

The jury, made up of film director Shadi Tabibzadeh; film director, documentalist and journalist Martin Gerner, and filmmaker and TV writer Christoph Simon, highlighted that the film "works as a magical time capsule, blending the nostalgia of the sixties with present-day reflections, making it a treasure to be rediscovered."

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Submission Form

Please choose, what kind of film you want to submit:

Winner 2024: ELIS & TOM: IT JUST HAD TO BE YOU