CALL FOR ENTRIES: · EUROPEAN TALENT COMPETITION 2026 · Filmscore and Sound Design

SoundTrack_Cologne 23 (July 14th – 17th, 2026) invites emerging composers and sound designers to apply for the EUROPEAN TALENT COMPETITION in the categories WDR FILMSCORE AWARD and SOUND DESIGN.

Participants are invited to create either an original score or the sound design for the short film "FAKE NEWS" (Director: David Seul), offering their own artistic interpretation of its visuals and narrative.

Submissions may be realised individually or collaboratively. Composers and sound designers are also welcome to form creative teams.

Sound designers in particular are encouraged to submit sound-design-only-focused projects!

The twelve finalists will be presented with their work to the audience and jury during the SoundTrack_Cologne competition screening. The award ceremony will take place during the official gala on Friday, July 17th, 2026.

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 major orchestra and to fill out their film-scoring calling card.

The winner for the best SOUND DESIGN will receive a 5.1 cinematic mix down for a short film at the renowned cologne based sound studio toruspost.

The deadline for submitting the application is May 20th, 2026, 10:00AM CET!

The contest is open to all active students in the fields of composing, music, sound design, sound and editing at a European film or music school (without age limit); or any young European creatives up to and including 30 years of age.

> The online registration form and the terms and conditions for your participation can be found by following the link below.

After the online registration you may download the short film and start your project.

Short film "FAKE NEWS" (Germany, 2025, 4:31 min.)

Directed by: David Seul 
Developed within the Master´s Programme „3D Animation for Film & Games“ by Internationale Filmschule Köln (IFS) and Cologne Game Lab.

A plant lives a peaceful life on a balcony above the streets. Until one day, its owner starts following fake news on how to treat plants. Serious mistreatment is forcing the plant to take action: Assuming that a computer is the source of all evil, the plant tries to kill the messenger.

Call for Entries: PEER RABEN MUSIC AWARD 2026 Best Music in a Short Film

We are pleased to announce that submissions are now open for the PEER RABEN MUSIC AWARD, honoring outstanding music in a short film.

SoundTrack_Cologne 23, taking place from July 14th to 17th, 2026, invites film composers and filmmakers to submit their short films with their original compositions for the PEER RABEN MUSIC AWARD.

The award, now in its 18th edition, grants 1,500 euros to outstanding film scores that demonstrate innovation and powerfully support cinematic storytelling through music and sound.

The award, first presented in 2009, commemorates the great German film composer Peer Raben.

Submission criteria:

• Short films with a maximum length of 15 minutes (incl. end credits) in all industry standard formats.
• There are no restrictions regarding country of production, genre, or content.
• Films must have predominantly original music.
• Short films whose production was completed after January 1st, 2025 or that premiered after January 1st, 2025.
• The nominees should be present at the screening of the films and will be presented to the audience and the jury during the competition screening. The award ceremony will take place during the official Gala on Friday, July 17th, 2026.

Submission fees: 
Early Bird: 12 Euros until March 26th, 2026 10:00 am CEST
Late: 17 Euros until April 15th, 2026 10:00 am CEST

Terms, conditions and the application form for the competition can be found here:

Book early and join STC 23 at the best rate! Low prices for a limited time only

Accreditations for SoundTrack_Cologne 23 are now available at reduced rates. Please note that prices will increase significantly as the congress approaches.

Early-Bird tickets are available only until Monday, March 16, 2026, 10:00 am (CET)! 

*As SoundTrack_Cologne takes place during the summer season, we strongly recommend booking your hotel as early as possible.

SEE THE SOUND · Call for entries: Best Music Documentary Award

SEE THE SOUND (July 15–19, 2026), the film festival of SoundTrack_Cologne, invites filmmakers, producers and distributors to submit films with a focus on music and sound.

Dedicated to all forms of motion pictures that visualise music, SEE THE SOUND welcomes a wide range of formats and genres. Eligible submissions include music documentaries, feature films with a musical focus, such as biopics about musicians or bands, concert documentaries, portraits of composers and bands, as well as music videos.

Since its inception, SoundTrack_Cologne has grown into Europe’s leading festival and conference platform for music and sound in film, games, TV and multimedia. With SEE THE SOUND, STC offers a curated stage for outstanding films about music to be experienced on the big screen in Cologne.

In addition, SEE THE SOUND presents the Best Music Documentary Award!

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

Submission criteria

• Films and music videos whose production was completed in 2025 or 2026 or premiered after January 1, 2025, are eligible for submission.
• Short films and music videos must last a maximum of 30 minutes. Long films must last more than 60 minutes.
• Screening prints should be in DCP format (preferred), BluRay, DVD, or a high-quality digital file (e.g., ProRes).
• Online screeners as preview copies are preferred. DVD submissions are also accepted.

Submission Deadlines:

Early bird submissions: March 23th, 2026, 10:00 CEST.
Late submissions: April 14th, 2026, 10:00 CEST.

AWARD WINNERS AT SOUNDTRACK_COLOGNE 22

Michael Abels · Career Achievement Award

Lucia Vité · WDR Filmscore Award

Melanie Gäb · European Talent Award Sound Design

Jamie Alpherts & Xiangming Niu · Honorable Mention - European Talent Award

 Clemens Gutjahr · Peer Raben Music Award

Kengo Tokusashi · Honorable Mention - Peer Raben Music Award

We are Fugazi from Washington D.C. · See The Sound Music Documentary Award

Once Upon a Time Michel Legrand · Honorable Mention - See the Sound Music Documentary Award

A festive evening at the WDR Funkhaus in Cologne marked the close of SoundTrack_Cologne’s 22nd edition on Friday, July 11th. The Award Ceremony celebrated the winners of our competitions and honored some of the most inspiring voices in film and media music, wrapping up a gripping week filled with over 70 panels and networking sessions.

With the WDR Funkhausorchester conducted by Enrico Delamboye, accompanied by the voice of soprano soloist Samantha Senn, the ceremony featured live performances of works by this year’s guests of honour: Jongnic Bontemps (Transformers: Rise of the Beasts), Olivier Derivière (South of Midnight), Jack Halama (Rivals), Sofia Degli Alessandri (Cobweb · Red, White & Royal Blue), Christoph Zirngibl (Hero of Centopia), Dominik Giesriegl (Die Schule der Magischen Tiere), Högni Egilsson (Katla), Dascha Dauenhauer (Islands), Anthony D’Amario & Edouard Rigaudière (Of Beast and Men),  as well as the night’s special honoree, Michael Abels (Us · Nope).

Live Music Events at SoundTrack_Cologne 22 · See The Sound 2025

As SoundTrack_Cologne approaches, we’re excited to invite you to three unforgettable live music events celebrating the power of music in film, television, video games, and beyond. Mark your calendars, these are not to be missed!

Admission is free for participants with a SoundTrack_Cologne accreditation (except for day passes and specific ticketed events).

Not attending the congress? You can still enjoy the concerts independently by purchasing a ticket. For more details and tickets, please see the links under each concert.

Full STC22 Programme is Online

The full SoundTrack_Cologne programme is now online! Click below to explore all the talks, workshops, and networking activities we’ve lined up for this year’s edition, and get ready for an exciting, jam-packed week!

Reality Check: Hands-on Know-How for your Success

Breaking into the world of music for film, television, and video games can be tough, there’s a lot to navigate. That’s why SoundTrack_Cologne 22 offers a dedicated programme of hands-on workshops to help you face these challenges head-on.

The topics are as diverse as the job: Working with Agents, How Much Should I Take? Securing Contracts and Setting Fair Rates, PR Workshop: Building Your Brand as a Composer, Hiring and Being Hired: Collaborating with Other Composers, Transferring Music from MIDI to Orchestra, Film Music Sound Design, Productivity Hacks and Workflow Optimisation, Transitioning from College to the Real World, and Production Music.

Reality Check: The Business of Media Music

The Reality Check section is an essential part of SoundTrack_Cologne 22, designed to give you the tools, knowledge, and confidence to move your media music career forward.

Public Relations: Join Sarah Roche from the renowned LA-based agency White Bear - eg. responsible for Volker Bertelmann’s successful Oscar campaign - for a two-part hands-on workshop on Wednesday, July 10, and Thursday, July 11, to understand how to built your brand as a composer. With her expertise in PR and composer promotion, Sarah will guide participants through the essentials of personal branding: how to shape your communications, make the most of social media, and use your website to create lasting professional impression.

Working with Agents: Panel discussions with Hamish Duff (First Artist Management), Pierre Cattoni (Troisième Auteur), on working with agents and their role.

After Finishing University: Ana Krstajić who startet out as a mentee for the Alliance of Women Film Composers Mentorship class (Los Angeles) explains what it really takes to transition from studying composition to working in the field.

Collaborating in Teams: Hiring and being hired, with composer Mario Grigorov (Spides), covers structures, conditions and tools for working together with fellow composers.

From MIDI to Orchestra: Conductor Enrico Delamboye of WDR Funkhausorchester who eg. conducted the recordings of dozens of the WDR Filmmusic Award Winners speaks about transferring music from MIDI to orchestra.

Increase Productivity: A workshop on productivity hacks and workflow optimisation with composer Christoph Zirngibl (Where’s Wanda · The Hero of Centopia) and music supervisor Florian Sonnleitner.

How Much Should I Take: Stefan Döring explores with Anna Luca Mohrhenn (composer), Michael Klaukien (composer) how to secure contracts and fair fees. In cooperation with mediamusic.

Film Music Sound Design: Dominik Giesriegl, composer of Schule der magischen Tiere, last years most successfull German film at the box office, and composer Nik Reich (Savage) discuss strategies to make a difference for your score by creating your own unique sounds – and how to get them.

Production Music: Martin Häne, publisher of several music library labels including Nuvotone (distributed by BMG Production Music), will dive into the mechanics and strategies of successful production music.

AI MusicCon at SoundTrack_Cologne 22 Music in the Age of AI · Thursday, July 10, 2025

Artificial Intelligence continues to fundamentally transform how music is created, performed, and experienced. This year, the conversation is being taken to a new level.

On July 10, 2025, SoundTrack_Cologne, in cooperation with the Landesmusikrat NRW, presents AI MusicCon 2025, a full day of keynotes, hands-on workshops, panel discussions, and talks dedicated entirely to the intersection of AI and music. The event invites all interested professionals to explore the challenges and opportunities that AI presents for music creators and the wider industry.

Featuring 16 events taking place at the COMEDIA Theater in Cologne, AI MusicCon explores the rapidly evolving intersection of music and artificial intelligence. The programme is designed to break down access barriers, introduce practical AI tools for composers, musicians, sound designers, music schools, and non-professional musicians, clarify legal frameworks, and explore what’s next in AI.

Key topics range from the implementation of EU AI legislation and unresolved copyright issues -addressed in part by North Rhine-Westphalia's legal policy initiative- to the wider European discourse on digital sovereignty and competitiveness in light of the deregulation tendencies under the Trump administration.

In an interview with GEMA CEO Dr. Tobias Holzmüller, the event will shed light on current policy and initiatives at GEMA. It will explore how different German political parties position themselves on AI regulation and reflect on the myths and narratives of this technology, linking them to deeper questions of creativity, cultural and ethical dimensions.

Participation in AI MusicCon is included with your SoundTrack_Cologne accreditation or available separately with a 19,00 EUR ticket.

Download the Programme here

Filmmusik live erleben: Vierzehn konzertante Welt- und Europapremieren bei der SoundTrack_Cologne Preisverleihung

11. Juli 2025 · 19h · Klaus-von-Bismarck-Saal (WDR Funkhaus)

Ein außergewöhnlicher Konzertabend für Filmmusik-Fans in Köln – gerade noch im Kino oder Videostream, jetzt live gespielt vom WDR Funkhausorchester im WDR Sendesaal: Die Award Ceremony der SoundTrack_Cologne vergibt nicht nur fünf Preise, sondern ist auch ein exklusives Konzert. Das WDR Funkhausorchester unter der Leitung von Enrico Delamboye bringt vierzehn Soundtracks aus aktuellen Blockbustern, preisgekrönten Serien und Videospielen erstmals live in Köln auf die Konzertbühne: Acht Stücke sind konzertante Weltpremieren, der Rest europäische Premieren.

Die Bandbreite des Programms ist beeindruckend: Von Michael Abels' atmosphärischer Musik zu Jordan Peeles Horror-Thriller "Nope" über die epischen Klänge von "Transformers: Rise of the Beasts" bis hin zur fantasievollen Filmmusik von "Die Schule der magischen Tiere". Auch die Lola-preisgekrönte Musik zu "Islands" von Dascha Dauenhauer erklingt erstmals konzertant.

Das Serienuniversum ist ebenfalls prominent vertreten wie etwa mit dem Netflix Hit „Katla“, der „Star Wars“-Serie „The Acolyte“ und der Disney-Produktion „Rivals“.

Und auch Videospiel-Fans kommen nicht zu kurz: Olivier Derivière Musik zum im April veröffentlichten Games-Erfolg „South of Midnight“ wird erstmals live gespielt.

Der Abend vereint das Konzert mit der Vergabe von fünf renommierten Auszeichnungen: Den Career Achievement Award 2025 erhält der amerikanische Komponist Michael Abels, der mit seinen innovativen Scores zu Jordan Peeles Filmen „Get Out“, „Nope“, „Wir“ internationale Anerkennung fand. Weitere Preise gehen an herausragende Talente: der WDR Filmscore Award, der European Talent Award Sound Design, der Peer Raben Music Award und der SoundTrack_Cologne Music Documentary Award.

Solistin ist Samantha Senn, Sopran. Durch den Abend führt Sarah Schygulla.

Die Komponist:innen aller Musiken sind anwesend, während der Konferenz widmet ihnen die SoundTrack_Cologne jeweils ein Werkstattgespräch.

Erstmals findet die Award Ceremony im WDR Sendesaal statt und bietet damit den perfekten akustischen Rahmen für die musikalischen Premieren.

Ort: Klaus-von-Bismarck-Saal (WDR Funkhaus) · Wallrafplatz 5 · 50667 Köln

Tickets: Für Nicht-Akkreditierte der SoundTrack_Cologne sind Karten zum Preis von 25 Euro im Vorverkauf unter dem folgenden Link erhältlich:

Focus Sync + Production Music + Track Check

Track Check: Level Up Your Tracks with Experts!

How well does your music work for sync? What are music supervisors looking for? How do you build a demoreel that gets attention? At SoundTrack_Cologne 22, the TrackCheck format brings together experienced music supervisors, consultants, and publishers to share their insights and offer direct feedback to participants. They will evaluate demoreels and TV underscore tracks, and will share some ideas about what makes a track stand out for sync to film, TV, and advertising.

Submit your tracks before Tuesday, July 1, 2025 at 18:00 CEST!

If you want to participate in the Track Check, click the button below and fill out the form:

Let’s Get You Connected! Join Our Matchmaking Events

On Thursday, July 10th, 2025, SoundTrack_Cologne will once again host its Matchmaking Sessions, an excellent opportunity to connect with fellow participants and leading international professionals from the music, film, and media industries.

This is a space for meaningful exchange, professional advice, and new collaborations.

SoundTrack_Cologne has invited an exclusive lineup of renowned music supervisors, film directors, producers, editors, and agents who are eager to meet you and share insights, offer guidance, or simply broaden their network.

You are given the opportunity to meet many new potential business partners in short one-on-one meetings within just 150 minutes!

Sign up now to take part in these networking opportunities!

Spots are limited, and meetings will be arranged based on your preferences and those of the invited experts. To improve your chances of securing meetings, we recommend submitting your request as soon as possible, along with a short bio and your goals for each meeting.

You’ll receive your personalised schedule by email shortly before the event.

Registration closes on Monday, June 30th, 2025, at 14:00 PM CEST.

Matchmaking for Women

14:30-15:30 at COMEDIA Theater, Wagenhalle (restaurant)

This exclusive matchmaking session is dedicated to women and aims to connect female composers and sound designers with female directors, producers, music supervisors, editors, artists, and sync managers. Presented in cooperation with WIFT and AWFC.

To request meetings with these leading experts, please fill out the online form before 30^th June 14:00 pm CEST, by clicking the link below.

International Matchmaking for All

16:00-17:30 at COMEDIA Theater, Wagenhalle (restaurant)

At our International Matchmaking for all we bring together composers and sound designers with music supervisors, directors, producers, editors, artist managers, sync managers and A&R managers.

To request meetings with these leading experts, please fill out the online form before 30^th June 14:00 pm, by clicking the link below.

LAST WEEK TO SAVE ON YOUR ACCREDITATION!

On Tuesday, July 8th, SoundTrack_Cologne will kick off its 22nd edition with a rich programme focusing on music for film, television, and video games, featuring around 60 panels, case studies, workshops, and networking events.

This year’s highlights include multi-award-winning composers (Pulitzer, Harpa, Séries Mania, German Film Prize, César Award, World Soundtrack Award and Jerry Goldsmith Award), alongside renowned music supervisors, film directors, producers, agents, and other experienced professionals from the music for film, TV and games industries.

Accreditation fees go up after June 27 – secure yours before midnight to save and avoid the Late Regular Pass rate!

Five High Profile Film and TV Case Studies at STC22

SoundTrack_Cologne will feature five high-profile case studies with composers and creative teams behind acclaimed films and TV series, taking place on Wednesday, July 9th, and Friday, July 11th.

The programme opens with a deep dive into Amazon's world wide hit series MAXTON HALL, featuring composers Julian Erhardt and Victoria Hillestad, music supervisor Regina Reis, and Dennis Grimm, Senior Music Executive for Central Europe at Amazon MGM Studios.

In cooperation with HARPA Nordic Film Composers Award, STC22 will also present a case study with HARPA Award winner 2025 Kåre Vestrheim, who will talk about his work on the Norwegian drama series MAKTA.

The team behind REMBETIS - DIE GEISTERJÄGER will explore how they brought this series to life through music. The panel includes Jasin Challah (composer, showrunner, actor and director) and co-composers Claudio Pagonis and Reinhard Schaub.

A case study on the film KÖLN 75 will feature composers Stefan Rusconi and Hubert Walkowski, music supervisor Martin Hossbach, and producer Sol Bondy. 

The case study series continues on Friday, July 11th, with a session in cooperation with Filmtonfrauen, featuring composer Peter Albrecht, sound designer and engineer Rachel Oker, and sound mixer Marc Lehnert. They will discuss about the creative and technical challenges of working on the film VENA. Single tickets for the case study VENA are available here.

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Film and TV Case Studies
Wednesday 09. July 2025 · COMEDIA Theater, Die Eins

10.30 - 11.30
Julian Erhardt & Victoria Hillestad (composers), Regina Reis (music supervisor), Dennis Grimm (Senior Music Executive for Central Europe at Amazon MGM Studios)
Maxton Hall
Workshop · Discussion

12.00 - 13.00
Composer Kåre Vestrheim · HARPA Award Winner 2025
Makta
Workshop · Discussion
in cooperation with HARPA

14.30 - 15.30
Claudio Pagonis, Reinhard Schaub (composers) &  Jasin Challah (composer & showrunner)
Rembetis - Die Geisterjäger
Workshop · Discussion

16.00 - 17.30
Stefan Rusconi & Hubert Walkowski (composers), Martin Hossbach (music supervisor) & Sol Bondy (producer) 
Köln 75
Workshop · Discussion


Friday 11. July 2025 · COMEDIA Theater, Die Eins

10.30 - 11.30
Peter Albrecht (composer), Rachel Oker (sound designer and sound engineer) & Marc Lehnert (sound mixer)
Vena
Workshop · Discussion
in cooperation with Filmtonfrauen