Regulations SEE THE SOUND – The film programme of SoundTrack_Cologne 23:
1. General conditions
For the film programme SEE THE SOUND at SoundTrack_Cologne music documentaries, artistic films about music and musicians, short films with a focus on music and music videos can be submitted.
2. Organiser and date
SoundTrack_Cologne is held by Televisor Troika GmbH. The festival will take place from July 15 - 19, 2026 in Cologne / Germany.
3. Entry requirements
a) The application deadlines are:
Early submissions go until March 23, 2026 at 10:00AM CEST.
Late submissions close on April 14, 2026 at 10:00AM CEST.
b) Each entry requires a completed and signed entry form and preview tape. Use a separate entry form for each film.
c) The films must be at least 60 minutes long (except short films and music videos).
d) All films whose production was completed after January 1st, 2025 or which had their premiere after January 1st, 2025 are eligible for submission. These conditions are subject to change by the organiser.
e) The presentation on other festivals or a DVD release is no criterion for exclusion, but German premieres are preferred. There are no limitations regarding the country of production.
f) Works cannot be withdrawn after submission.
4. Preview copy / Entries
a) The preferred option is entering the preview copy digitally via online link. There is a field in the application form to fill in the URL. Please make sure that download and/or viewing link remain active till at least July 19th, 2026 and any required password is not changed. Additionally we ask you to provide an access to the preview copy that does not require further registration. If applying via link the signed application form is to be sent digitally to seethesound@soundtrackcologne.de.
b) If the original language of the film is neither German nor English, subtitles in one of those languages are necessary. In the absence of subtitles, a film script in German or English must be enclosed during the selection process. If the film is selected, the screening print has to have English or German subtitles.
c) Preview material will remain in the festival archive.
5. Selection
The selection committee will view the preview copies that reach the festival office by April 14, 2026, 10:00am CEST. All entrants will be notified of the selection results in time. The results will be sent by email 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.
6. Screening print / Accepted film formats
The screening print, only requested after the selection process, can be one of the following formats: DCP, DVD, BluRay-Disc and digital file (e.g. high quality ProRes). The video format has to be PAL only (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.
7. Declaration of agreement
With their signature, the participants and rights holders in the submitted work declare their consent to participation in the festival and their agreement to the rules and regulations in the version here present. The German version of these rules and regulations is binding. There is no right of appeal. In case of doubt the festival management will decide according to international guidelines.
8. Submission fee
Due to the high number of submissions, the festival requires fees to cover administrative costs as follows. The fees are related to the film length and date of submission:
Early Bird Deadline: Short films 15.00 Euros, feature films 25.00 Euros
Late Deadline: Short films 30.00 Euros, feature films 40.00 Euros
The festival grants no refunds. Prices only apply for the festival’s own submission service. Submission prices via other platforms may differ.
9. 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!
10. The entry form has to be signed and returned to SoundTrack_Cologne: seethesound@soundtrackcologne.de.
Your submission can NOT be considered without the signed entry form!
