BIFSC

BIFSC: Berlin International Sound Design Competition

This competition provides emerging sound designers the opportunity to create the original sound design for a short film—encompassing Foley, SFX, and VO—win prizes, and receive unique networking opportunities, all while gaining invaluable experience in their craft.


Rules and Regulations

* Competition Rules
* Awards
* Copyrights
* Additional Provisions
 

§ 1. Competition Rules

1.1 The competition is open to sound designers of all ages and nationalities.

1.2 Previous Finalists of the competition may participate again and remain fully eligible to receive awards and be named among the 10 finalists. Previous Award Winners of the Sound Design competition are welcome to participate for feedback, but will not be eligible to receive primary awards or be named among the 10 finalists.

1.3 .3 The sound designers participating in the competition will receive a short film along with a pre-recorded voice-over track. Participants are required to create the original Foley and SFX, and integrate / mix the provided voice-over track into their final submission.

1.4 By participating, sound designers warrant that they own the original copyright of their submitted work.

1.5 There are no restrictions regarding which sound sources are used to create the sound design. Live recordings, purchased sound libraries, SFX libraries, or any other software are fully permitted.

1.6a Each participant must complete the online registration form at https://www.bifsc.org/sound-design-competition and pay the entrance fee.
Following registration, the participant will receive an email with further details about the competition, a download link to the film in digital form, and a unique identification code to be used for the submission. Once the participant receives these competition materials, the registration fee is strictly non-refundable.

1.6b Participating in the competition as a team is allowed. Each team member must pay the registration fee separately. Team members should contact BIFSC to receive further instructions to complete their team registration. 

1.7 Each sound designer must deliver the video file of the film synchronized with their original sound design by the official deadline stated on the website. Submissions must be sent to info@bifsc.org by providing a download link via WeTransfer, Dropbox, or Google Drive. The video file must be named using the unique identification code (for example: BIFSC-45273). All submissions will be delivered to the competition judges anonymously using only this identification code.

1.8 Applicants are permitted to take part in both the Berlin International Sound Design Competition and the Berlin International Film Scoring Competition.
Registration is valid only for the specific competition entered. Participants interested in competing in the Berlin International Film Scoring Competition as well must register separately at www.bifsc.org.
 

§ 2. Awards

2.1 Up to ten (10) finalists and three (3) primary award winners will be announced.

2.2 The three (3) award-winning sound designs will be shared with all composers participating in the BIFSC film scoring competition. This lays the groundwork for future collaborations and provides an invaluable networking opportunity within the film industry. Film scoring participants will have the option to choose one of these three winning sound designs to pair with their original music score for their submission.

2.3 Winners will receive the prizes specified on www.bifsc.org. The decisions of BIFSC and the Jury are final and binding; no appeals will be considered.

2.4 All monetary prizes will be paid out within 2 months from the day of the winners' official announcement.

2.5 The Organizer reserves the right to award additional prizes.

2.6 The Organizer reserves the right to cancel the Competition in the event of an insufficient number of applications. In this case, participants' entry fees will be refunded within 60 days, excluding applicable bank transaction fees.

2.7 All award winners may receive prize packages courtesy of our competition sponsors. In the unlikely event that a sponsor is unable to provide a stated prize, BIFSC shall not be held accountable.

2.8 BIFSC reserves the right to modify or substitute awards and prizes at its sole discretion. Any such changes will apply equally to all participants, including finalists and award recipients.


§ 3. Copyrights

3.1 The participant retains full ownership of their original work. However, by entering the competition, the participant grants the Organizer a non-exclusive, royalty-free, worldwide, and perpetual license to use, reproduce, and display the submitted sound design and artistic performance/recording for the purposes of organizing, promoting, and archiving the Competition.

3.2 Participants grant the Organizer explicit permission to publish their image or likeness, recorded by any photographic or video techniques, for the operational and promotional needs of the Competition.

3.3 The contestant does not have the right to independently sell or commercially assign rights to their finished version of the entry or the original film. The individual submitting a sound design to BIFSC hereby warrants that they are authorized to commit the work for consideration. You agree to indemnify and hold harmless BIFSC, its organizers, judges, sponsors, and partners from and against any and all claims, liabilities, losses, damages, and expenses (including attorney’s fees and court costs) incurred by reason of any claim involving copyright, trademarks, credits, publicity, screening, or damage to the submitted material. The burden of determining that any material is legally cleared rests solely with the sound designer.

3.4 Dissemination or distribution of the copyright-protected footage received from BIFSC (with or without the added work by the contestant): BIFSC holds the right to present the winning submissions on the official website of the competition (www.bifsc.org). Contestants are allowed to share their submission (the sound design synchronized with the film), provided they strictly follow the specific guidelines and instructions detailed at www.bifsc.org/sharing. Any other unauthorized distribution of the footage remains strictly prohibited.

3.5 By taking part in the Competition, the participant declares that they hold exclusive and unlimited copyright to the submitted sound design and assumes full legal responsibility to the Organizer for any copyright faults, defects, or third-party claims.

3.6 Should third parties file a claim against the Organizer on account of a breach of copyright or personal rights by a participant connected to the usage of the sound design and/or the copyright-protected footage, the participant shall fully indemnify the Organizer against any and all such claims.


§ 4. Additional Provisions

4.1 Unless otherwise decided solely by the Organizer, the complete legal relationship between the participant and the Organizer shall be governed by the laws of Bulgaria. The BIFSC competition and any actions related thereto shall be interpreted and defined under the laws of Bulgaria, without regard to conflicts of law provisions. The exclusive jurisdiction and venue for any legal action arising from these terms shall be the competent courts of Sofia, Bulgaria.

4.2 The Organizer of the competition makes the final decisions on all organizational and operational issues. Such decisions are irrevocable and non-claimable.

4.3 If a participant requires an official invoice, the request must be submitted within 3 days of registration.

4.4 The Organizer reserves the right to amend the rules of participation.
By registering for the Berlin International Sound Design Competition, participants explicitly agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of this agreement as presented under these Rules and Regulations.