SoundTrack_Cologne is Europe's leading congress for music and sound in film, games and media, and a source of inspiration for the growing landscape of festivals and congresses in Europe. In over 40 round tables, panels, workshops and networking events, SoundTrack_Cologne focuses on current developments in culture, law, marketing and technics of media music and offers business cases and networking events. In 2025 SoundTrack_Cologne will celebrate its 22nd edition. 

EUROPEAN TALENT COMPETITION

The aim is to compose a new musical interpretation to the short film "BLOOM" (D: Michael Dämmig). Candidates can either compose the score and/or produce the sound design for the film. They may also work together and apply as a combined composer/sound designer team. We wish to particularly encourage sound designers to apply for the competition!

The twelve finalists will be presented with their works to the audience and the jury at SoundTrack_Cologne during the competition screening. The award gala will take place on Friday, July 11th, 2025.

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.

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

Submission deadline is April 15th, 2025, 10:00AM CET. Further Information can be found here.

PEER RABEN MUSIC AWARD

In 2025, SoundTrack_Cologne 22 presents once more, the PEER RABEN MUSIC AWARD for the best music in a short film and cordially invites film composers* and filmmakers* to submit their short films with their original compositions.

First presented in 2009, the Award commemorates the great German film composer Peer Raben.

A  price of 1,500 euros, donated by the Peer Raben Estate, will be given to one film score with innovative and dramaturgically coherent use of music and sound in relation to narration.

Submission deadline is April 15, 2025, 10:00am CEST. Further Information can be found here.

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.

Further Information can be found here.