BIFSC
Berlin International Film Scoring Competition
BIFSC offers emerging Film Composers the platform to showcase their work and compete to receive multiple Awards worth of over 3500 Euros, participate in Film Scoring Workshops and have their music recorded by a live ensemble, be invited in Film Festivals with VIP accreditation.
Frequently Asked Questions
FAQ
GENERAL
Eligibility
The competition is open to composers and sound designers of all ages and nationalities.
Previous Finalists of the same competition can participate again, be considered for Awards, and be named among the 10 finalists. Previous Award Winners of the same competition can register and receive the competition materials but will not be considered for Awards and will not be named among the 10 finalists.
Registration
Each participant should complete the registration form at www.bifsc.org and pay the registration fee
Following the registration, the participant will receive an email with further details about the competition, a downloadable link to the Film in digital form and a unique identification number to be used for their submission.
The registration fee is not refundable after the participant receives the above materials to participate in the competition.
Participants interested in participating in the Berlin International Film Scoring Competition and the Berlin International Sound Design Competition should register separately for each competition under the official dates.
Can I register multiple times?
Yes, the same individual can register multiple times. With each registration, you can send one (1) submission.
Can we participate as a team?
Yes, you can participate in the competition as a team. Each team member must pay the registration fee. A team member should contact BIFSC for directions on completing the team registration. Maximum 2 Team Members are allowed.
Do I have to give rights to my work?
Participants keep all the copyrights to their work when participating in the competition. BIFSC only requires copyright permission to publish and share your work with our participants and online if you are one of the competition's winners or finalists & Winners.
What happens if I win?
Winning participants receive prizes provided by BIFSC, our sponsors, and collaborators. Many of the winners - and finalists report receiving greater attention from the industry, leading them to receive professional work in the field.
AWARDS (for Film Scoring and Sound Design Competition)
Up to ten (10) finalists will be announced and receive a Finalist Diploma and additional awards.
The Winners will receive the prizes specified on the website. Each year new awards are announced.
All the money prizes will be paid out within 2 months from the day of the prize winner's announcement.
The organizer reserves the right to award additional prizes. Sometimes we can enrich our awards through new collaborations during the competition dates. BIFSC reserves the right to change Awards or prizes. All changes will be related to all entrant award recipients and finalists.
All participants of the Berlin International Sound Design Competition 2024 will receive the following gifts
(for Sound Design Competition)
- A 3-month Krotos Studio Pro Subscription from Krotos
- A Soundly Pro Subscription up to October 1
- A Copy of a Sound Effects Library by Silverplatter Audio
- A 20 % Discount on any product by Soundmorph
Details and promo codes will be provided upon registration for the competition.
BIFSC collaborates with several other organizations to maximize opportunities and achieve the highest possible visibility for the BIFSC participants. While past competition winners have been invited to an International Film Festival in Berlin, BIFSC is not affiliated with a specific Film Festival or event.
SUBMISSION PROCEDURES
Will I receive a confirmation of my submission?
Yes, we will contact you within 24 Hours to confirm we received your submission. If you do not receive confirmation of your submission within 24 hours, contact us directly.
Why the Unique Identification Number
In this way, we ensure that our Jury does not know the participant's identity or any other information when reviewing their work.
What resources can I use?
There are no restrictions on the resources used. Any software, live instruments, found sounds, recorded sounds and other resources can be used.
What does Original Sound Design mean? (for Sound Design Competition)
This means that you alone created the sound design solely. The term original is not restrictive regarding the resources used, but it is an original creation of the participant. You can use all of the above mentioned resources to create your sound design.
What style of music shall I compose? (for Film Scoring Competition)
Composers are invited to compose music in any style. There are no preferences as to the style of music or the instrumentation used.
Who is reviewing the submissions?
At least one jury member from the distinguished judges panel, a member of BIFSC, or another external associate will review your submission. Submissions might be reviewed more than once and by more than one judge. After the finalists are announced, the distinguished jury will review again the finalists' submissions.
How do you select the jury?
We endeavor to fill each judging panel with a diverse group of evaluators who come from a variety of artistic backgrounds and areas of expertise, such as sound designers, composers, and producers, among others. The film industry is a collaborative environment where artistry and originality are valued equally to technical skills.
How my submission is reviewed (for Film Scoring Competition)
Submissions will be reviewed with attention to their originality, musicality, dramatic connection with the film, and overall excellence. No submission is perfect in all reviewed qualities; the winners are determined by their total score.
How my submission is reviewed (for Sound Design Competition)
Your submission will be reviewed with attention to originality, mix quality and variety, mix detail, and overall excellence. No submission is perfect in all reviewed qualities; the winners are determined by their total score.
Where you will hear my submission
All submissions are reviewed in studio monitors or high-end headphones.
Shall I send my submission in Stereo or Surround mix?
Submissions shall be delivered in a Stereo mix.
Can I use binaural Audio?
Yes, participants can use binaural audio.
Shall I compose music for the credits and Logo? (for Film Scoring Competition)
Participants are not obliged to compose music for the opening and closing credits. Participants who decide to compose music for the opening and closing credits will be evaluated. Composers who will not compose music for the opening and closing credits will not lose marks.
Shall I create the Sound Design for the credits and Logo? (for Sound Design Competition)
Participants are not obliged to create Sound Design for the opening and closing credits. Participants who decide to create Sound Design for the opening and closing credits will be evaluated. Composers who will not compose music for the opening and closing credits will not lose marks.
How many submissions can I deliver per registration?
You can deliver one (1) submission per registration. You can register multiple times if you want to submit more than once.
Sharing
Competition Rules: Sharing, Copyright, and Promotion
This guide explains your rights and responsibilities regarding the use of competition materials. Our framework is designed to protect both your creative work and the intellectual property of the original filmmakers, ensuring a fair and professional environment for all participants.
FAQ: Your Rights and Responsibilities
1. Do I keep the rights to my work?
Yes, absolutely. Participants retain full copyright to their own original work, which includes all sound design and music created for the competition.
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You are free to share, edit, and use your own sound and music without any restrictions from the competition organizers.
In Practice: Your audio is your intellectual property. For example, you can upload your score to music streaming services, use your sound design in a different project, or include the audio tracks on your professional demo reel.
2. Can I share my full submission (the film with my audio)?
Yes, but only after the competition winners have been officially announced. Once the announcement is made, you are permitted to share your final, full-length submission online. However, you must adhere strictly to the following guidelines:
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Do not edit the video. The video file you receive already includes the official introduction and competition statement. These elements must not be removed, altered, or edited in any way.
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Do not alter the credits. You must not add, remove, or change the original film credits in any way.
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Downloads must be disabled. When you post your full submission on any online video platform, you are required to disable the download option.
In Practice: This allows you to showcase your work in your online portfolio or on social media. The rules ensure that while your audio work is highlighted, the filmmaker's original video and credits are respected and not illegally distributed.
3. Can I post short promotional clips on social media?
Yes. You are encouraged to promote your work. You may create short excerpts from your main submission for use on social media platforms, under the following specific conditions:
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Link to the Full Version: Your social media post must include a clear, direct link to where the full, compliant version of your submission can be viewed.
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Include Competition Statement in Caption: For any social media clips, the post's caption or description must contain the full, official competition statement:
The music and SFX for the film "FILM NAME" were created for the Berlin International Film Scoring and Sound Design Competition and are not part of the original version of the film.
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Credit the Competition: Clearly mention the name of the competition in your post.
4. Can I share the original film or other competition materials?
No. The copyrighted film and all other competition materials are provided to you solely for participation in this competition.
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These materials may not be shared, distributed, or reproduced outside of your official competition submission.
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Any unauthorized use or distribution is strictly prohibited and constitutes a copyright violation.
In Practice: You cannot upload the clean video file anywhere. You cannot give the film file or other assets to a friend or colleague who is not a participant in the competition. You should not allow downloads of the Film.