EUROPEAN TALENT COMPETITION 2026. Filmscore and Sound Design, Cologne
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.
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.