In 2023, SoundTrack_Cologne 20 will again present 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.

The award, first presented in 2009, commemorates the great German film composer Peer Raben, from whose estate the prize money of 1,500 euros is donated.

The award will be given to film scores with innovative and dramaturgically coherent use of music and sound in relation to narration.

The competition screening and the award gala will take place on June 23, 2023.

Submission deadline is April 11, 2023.

Conditions: 

Short films can be submitted whose production was completed after January 1, 2022 or which were premiered after January 1, 2022. Films with a maximum length of 15 minutes in all industry standard formats will be considered. There are no restrictions regarding country of production, genre or content. However, the film must be predominantly with original music.

The nominees of the competition should be present at the screening of the films on Friday, June 23, 2023 and will be presented to the audience and the jury. The award ceremony will take place during the official Gala on the same evening.

FAQ • PEER RABEN MUSIC AWARD

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Yes, your film must have a maximum length of 15 minutes, including credits.

Yes, we accepts re-scored films if they fulfil our conditions of participation. You have to be in hold of all rights of the film.

Yes, your film will be eligible for submission with re-interpreted soundtracks.

No, unfortunately we do not accept soundtracks without image.

Yes, you can submit as many films as you want.

Only short films whose production was completed after January 1st, 2022, or which had their premiere after January 1st, 2023, are eligible for submission. 

Yes, in general you are free to submit VR films, but if it would be chosen for the short list, we can only show it in a standard way with beamer or on an LED screen.

Nothing, the submission is free.

PEER RABEN MUSIC AWARD

Regulations PEER-RABEN-MUSIC-AWARD at SoundTrack_Cologne 20, 2023:

1. General Conditions
Prized will be the best soundtrack for a short film. There is a 15 minutes limit on duration, but not on the form, theme or genre of the film. The film music must have mainly been written for the film. If the selection committee does not accept a film for the competition, it has the option to be placed in one of the extra screenings.

2. Organiser and Date
SoundTrack_Cologne is held by Televisor Troika GmbH. The festival will take place in Cologne from June 20 - 23, 2023.

3. Entry Requirements

a) The film has to be submitted via the online form provided by SoundTrack_Cologne.

b) The applicant gets sent an automatic entry form to the provided email address. The applicant has to send the signed entry form to SoundTrack_Cologne by E-mail, fax or mail to one of the following addresses:

E-mail: peerraben@soundtrackcologne.de

Fax: +49-(0)221-9318449

Shipping address:

SoundTrack_Cologne
c/o Televisor Troika GmbH
Trajanstraße 27
D-50678 Köln
Germany

Without the signed entry form the submission is not complete and will not be considered by the jury!

The deadline is April 11, 2023.

c) Each entry requires a unique entry and a completed and signed entry form. Use a separate entry form for each film.

d) The running time of the film may not exceed 15 minutes.

e) All short films whose production was completed after January 1st, 2022, or which had their premiere after January 1st, 2022, are eligible for submission. These conditions are subject to change by the organizer.

f) The film should be mostly accompanied by original music.

g) Works cannot be withdrawn from the competition after submission.

4. Accepted Film Formats
The screening print can be one of the following formats: DVD, BluRay-Disc or digital file (e.g. high quality prores). We only accept the video format PAL (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.

5. Entries
The preview copy should be entered digitally via link. This link has to be accessible without changes until the end of the festival (June 23, 2023). If the original language of the film is neither German nor English, subtitles in one of those languages are required. If the language of dialogues or subtitles is neither German nor English, please enclose a film script in German or English. Preview tape and material will remain in the festival archive.

6. Selection
The selection committee will view the submissions that reached the festival office by April 11, 2023. All entrants will be notified of the selection results in time. The results will be sent by E-mail 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.

7. Postage
Costs for submitting materials, viewing copy and screening copy are to be paid by the submitter [Submissions with insufficient postage will not be accepted]. Return expenses for the screening-print will be covered by the festival. Submissions from abroad must read in German: “Nur für kulturelle Zwecke – keine kommerzielle Nutzung. Empfänger ist Selbstverzoller” (For cultural purpose only, no commercial value –  Independent Custome Clearance by the recipient). Submitted viewing copies (DVD screeners) from non EU-member states must be accompanied by a „pro forma invoice“ stating a value of max. 20 US$. In the event of accruing custom fees such fees shall be charged to the submitter. Submitted viewing copies (DVD-screeners) will not be returned!

Shipping address:

SoundTrack_Cologne
c/o Televisor Troika GmbH
Trajanstraße 27
D-50678 Köln
Germany

8. Further Remarks

a) Screening prints will be insured during the festival time at their print value. Any claims for replacement due to damage are to be submitted not later than 10 days after the festival.

b) The submitter has to confirm, that the composer agrees with the submission and the participation in the competition und that s/he is willing to participate in the Award Ceremony if s/he is nominated.

c) We will make every effort, but we cannot promise to invite all the filmmaker whose films have been selected. We will also provide information about private accommodations or low cost hotels.

9. Declaration of Agreement
With their signature, the participants and rights holders in the submitted work declare their consent to participation in the competition and their agreement to the rules and regulations in the version here present. There is no right of appeal. All matters in doubt will be decided by the festival management according to international guidelines. The German version of these rules and regulations is binding.

10. 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!

11. The entry form is to be printed, signed and sent to SoundTrack_Cologne (see §3b).

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



Next

The nominees at SoundTrack_Cologne 19
Roy Bemelmans

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Tom Bromley

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Tom Bromley is an accomplished and nimble musician, as well as a producer based in Cardiff, Wales.

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Lennert Busch

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Lennert Busch is a Dutch composer for tv, film and advertising.

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Gary Hirche

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David Kamp

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Emer Kinsella

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Known for creating poignant soundscapes, Emer Kinsella has been involved in critically-acclaimed films, television series and live performances.

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Olivier Militon

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Olivier Militon is a composer with a Master’s degree in Composing for Film & TV.

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Marcus Sander

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After his Master in music in Dortmund, Marcus began to study film scoring at the Film University Babelsberg KONRAD WOLF.

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Jury Members 2022
Richard Bellis

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Richard Bellis is an Emmy award-winning composer

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Carina Mergens

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Editor for Documentary Features

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Cassis B Staudt

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Lured to New York by Jim Jarmusch, Cassis B Staudt grew into a role producing the Palme d’or winner Coffee and Cigarettes featuring Iggy Pop and Tom Waits. As a composer of film music, she provided the concept and theme music for the Oscar-nominated documentary Ferry Tales. Following music studies at the Hamburg State University and Juilliard, Cassis B is now a regular visiting scholar at European and American universities.

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Hannah von Hübbenet

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Hannah von Hübbenet is a musician and composer.

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