Musicbed is the trusted music licensing source for filmmakers, brands, and agencies who value craft, connecting creatives with a curated roster of today’s most relevant and emerging artists.
Filmmaking is changing. Audiences want to see work that feels authentic, intentional, and human. And it all starts with authentic music.
This season, your challenge is to create a short film that inspires, uplifts, and builds optimism toward the future of human creativity. Access the starter kit for more information.
Your final submission must include at least 10 seconds of a song from Musicbed's collection. Click the button below to access a playlist of free music to use in your submission.
Gain instant access to an exclusive roster of emerging artists, plus 150,000+ premium sound effects. Unlock all the benefits of an annual Musicbed subscription, free for 14 days.
Filmsupply, the standard in cinematic footage licensing, is providing a specially curated collectionof story-driven footage for you to use in your submission.
Finalists will be scored by a panel of industry experts on the following criteria:
Creativity:
How unique are the concepts and ideas in your film?
Song Use:
How does the music serve the story?
Storytelling:
Is there a clear, compelling storyline?
Craft:
What level of production value do you reach?
Prizes
This year’s winners will split over $80K in gear and prizes. Here’s what’s on the line.
$15K Cash Grant
Musicbed 1-Year Small Business Subscription
$2,000 Filmsupply Licensing Credit
FilmConvert Nitrate + CineMatch
Saturation 1-Year Producer Membership
$2,000 Lensrentals Credit
ShotDeck 1-Year Subscription
Dehancer 1-Year Individual Photo & Video Subscription
$300 Moment Credit
$3,000 FUJIFILM Credit
Atlas Lens Co. Free Demo Lens Rental
Creator Camp Mentorship Call + Merch
$15K Cash Grant
Musicbed 1-Year Small Business Subscription
$2,000 Filmsupply Licensing Credit
FilmConvert Nitrate + CineMatch
Saturation 1-Year Producer Membership
$2,000 Lensrentals Credit
ShotDeck 1-Year Subscription (+ 2 Accounts)
Dehancer 1-Year Individual Photo & Video Subscription
$300 Moment Credit
$2,000 FUJIFILM Credit
Creator Camp Mentorship Call + Merch
Musicbed 1-Year Small Business Subscription
$2,000 Filmsupply Licensing Credit
FilmConvert Hazy + Halation
Saturation 1-Year Producer Membership
$2,000 Lensrentals Credit
ShotDeck 1-Year Subscription (+ 2 Accounts)
Dehancer 1-Year Individual Photo & Video Subscription
$300 Moment Credit
$1,500 FUJIFILM Credit
Creator Camp Mentorship Call + Merch
Features built for filmmakers.
Explore authentic, relevant music for your Musicbed Challenge submission (and for what you’ll create next) with enhanced search tools, Projects, streamlined organization, and more.
What are the most important dates to remember for Musicbed Challenge?
Launch is March 17 at 5 pm UTC Submissions close on April 27 at 5 pm UTC. There is no exception for late submissions. Public voting opens May 4 at 5 pm UTC. Public voting closes on May 11 at 5 pm UTC. Winners are announced on May 18 at 5 pm UTC.
When will you announce the winners?
Winners will be announced on the Musicbed blog on May 18 at 5 pm UTC.
Is my submission private?
No. To submit to Musicbed Challenge, you will need to upload your film to your personal Vimeo account or YouTube channel. It can be listed as public or unlisted to be embedded on musicbed.com.
I don't want to post my submission to my personal channel(s), how can I submit?
You can either upload your submission as unlisted or create a secondary YouTube or Vimeo account to upload your submission.
May I enter more than once?
No. Participants may only submit one entry to Musicbed Challenge.
Do I retain the rights to my work?
Yes, filmmakers retain the rights to their work submitted to Musicbed Challenge.
Can I edit my submission?
No. All submissions will be final. Please make sure you are uploading the correct version of your edit before submitting.
Can I use music that isn't from Musicbed?
You must use at least 10 seconds of one song provided by Musicbed in the Musicbed Challenge 2026 playlist, or a Musicbed song you license using your free trial. If you'd like to incorporate music beyond that, you must either have a valid license or own the rights to the audio.
How do I download songs for my film?
In the starter kit, there's a link to the Musicbed Challenge 2026 playlist where you can download individual songs, along with the license document. Once you have selected the song you'd like to use in your submission, press the down arrow button next to the song and then select "Try It". You can also download a song outside of the Musicbed Challenge playlist using your free trial.
Can I submit this film to other film festivals or competitions?
The music license provided by Musicbed for your submission does not legally permit the selected songs to be published anywhere else besides Musicbed Challenge or your personal social media account via our Web/Social license. If you'd like to submit your entry elsewhere and you use a song provided by Musicbed, you'll need to purchase the proper license(s). Your license does not cover portfolio use, nor does it cover using digital ad spend behind your submission post.
Can a team submit?
Yes, and you share the prizes among the team.
Can I win more than one award?
No. A submission is only eligible to win one prize package if selected by our judges' panel.
Is the challenge open internationally?
Yes! Keep in mind that international winners are subject to applicable taxes, laws, and fees on all winnings within their country.
Can I use stock footage in my submission?
You can use stock footage as long as it is properly licensed or you own the rights.
Can my film be in another language?
Though our judges are of diverse backgrounds, they may not be familiar with certain languages. You can use your judgment on whether to add subtitles to your film or not.
How old do I have to be to enter?
You must be at least 18 years of age to be eligible for entry.
Can my film promote an existing brand?
No existing brands, brand names, or logos should appear in your submission unless you have secured the necessary rights and approvals from the brand. This includes typing out the name of a company or logo instead of using the actual logo image (for example, typing out the word "Netflix" instead of using an image of the official Netflix logo). Any visible branding without explicit permission will result in disqualification.
I signed up for a free Musicbed trial. Do I need to submit my film before the general deadline?
If you have signed up for a Musicbed trial, you need to submit your film before your 14-day trial expires.
Which platform should I use to upload my video submission?
YouTube or Vimeo. Please make sure your link is listed as public, or we cannot review your submission and it will be disqualified.
How long should my submission be?
All submissions should be no more than ten minutes in length, including the title and/or any credits. Any submissions that pass the ten-minute mark will be automatically disqualified.
Do you accept submissions made using AI?
No, we will not accept any submissions using generative AI. Use of generative AI in your submission will result in automatic disqualification.
Are all submissions eligible during the voting period?
No, only finalists are eligible to receive votes and judges' feedback during the voting period. There will be a maximum of 10 finalists total. If you do not see your film live on our website at the time of public voting, that means you were not selected as a finalist.
Can anyone vote for a film?
Yes. Anyone can participate in voting.
Can an individual vote for my film more than once?
Yes. However, voters are limited to voting once per day.
Can I vote for my own film?
Yes. However, voters are limited to voting once per day.
Can I use SFX in my entry?
You may use Musicbed Sounds or additional SFX in your entry, as long as you either have a valid license or own the rights to the audio.
Can I use VFX in my entry?
You may use other VFX in your entry as long as you either have a valid license or own the rights to the material.
How will my entry be judged?
Entries will be judged on four criteria: Creativity, Storytelling, Song Use, and Craft by our esteemed panel of judges. If your submission does not meet the guidelines outlined in these FAQs, it will automatically be disqualified.
