Soundcinema Düsseldorf is a recorded sound festival for experimental, electronic and electroacoustic
music that will take place on 28.10.2026 at FFT Düsseldorf. On the day of the event, a selection of
ten audio productions, which have been carefully picked by a selection panel in advance, will be
presented (as pre-recorded works) in an acousmatic listening situation. At the end of the evening, two
jury awards and one audience award will be awarded, each endowed with 750€. Additionally, each of
the ten selected works will receive a fee of 100€ (gross).
It is possible to submit stereo and multi-channel productions up to a maximum of 7.1 (please note the
channel configuration below). We are looking for musical compositions, soundscapes, sound collages,
sonic experiments, narrative audio formats and technoid productions that are characterized by a
transgressive impetus and attempt to undermine conventional listening experiences. Contributions can
be submitted either for the free category or for this year’s thematic focus Acceleration.
Free Category
For the free category, musical compositions, soundscapes, sound collages, sonic experiments and
narrative audio formats can be submitted as well as recordings that deal with the limits of sound and
hearing itself and/or that acoustically explore the resonance relationship between sound, body and
space.
Thematic Focus 2026: Acceleration
Under the thematic focus Acceleration, compositions are sought that engage with sonic, structural,
and temporal processes of acceleration in music—for instance, through changes in density, energy,
rhythm and information flow. Acceleration may manifest in microscopic temporal shifts, in the
superimposition of layers, in the accumulation of energetic states, or in the dissolution of form.
Cultural and societal phenomena of acceleration may likewise serve as points of departure and be
reflected through sonic practice.
Submissions are invited that investigate acceleration not merely as a technical parameter, but as an
aesthetic and form-generating force: as a tension between precision and instability, as movement
within the material itself, and as an acoustic experience of time.
Application and submission criteria
– All submitted productions must not exceed a length of 10 minutes.
– All contributions must be accompanied by a concept paper of one DIN A4 page (approx. 300
words). The concept paper consists of a short project description, which should contain a
conceptual reflection of the production. Submissions for the thematic focus should justify their
classification accordingly. In addition, the submission of a short CV (one paragraph) is
requested.
– A maximum of two pieces per category can be submitted.
– The submission of already published pieces is permitted, provided they were not released
before the year 2021. However, in the selection process, preference will be given to
productions created in 2025/2026 and/or those that have not yet been published.
– Stereo and multi-channel productions up to max. 7.1 can be submitted.
– Multi-channel productions must be produced according to the standard below. Please do
not send in surround bounces, but individual tracks and assign numbers to the files of the
individual tracks (1L, 2R, 3C, 4LFE, 5SSL etc…).
– Submissions can be uploaded until 31.07.2026 to:
https://soundcinema.fromsmash.com/request/PJDv.CuVtF-dd
If you experience issues uploading via the link we provided, please first try opening the link in a
different browser. If the upload still doesn’t work, please create your own download link (e.g. via
WeTransfer, Google Drive, etc.) and send it to info@soundcinema.eu.
– Please indicate in the file or folder name which category the submission is intended for and
whether it is a stereo or multi-channel recording.
Technical Specifications:
– Sample rate: 44.1 kHz – 48 kHz
– Resolution: at least 16bit
– Loudness: ≈ -23 LUFS (integrated) at -1 dBTP
– Highest frequency of the LFE channel: 300Hz