This competition is open to all composers working—or aspiring to work—in film, television, video games, and visual media. Students and emerging composers are welcome to submit.

Not necessarily. If a film has been officially submitted to SIMI Film Fest, the director will be given the option to have the score considered for the Best Live Orchestral Score category as part of the festival’s judging process.

If the film is nominated for Best Live Orchestral Score, the music will automatically be eligible for performance in the Film Music Concert. In this case, a separate submission to the Film Music Composition Competition is not required. This selection is in addition to the three winners chosen through the Film Music Competition.

Composers whose films are not submitted to SIMI Film Fest must enter separately to be considered for the Film Music Composition Competition.

Yes. Students and emerging composers are welcome to submit.

Yes. Submissions may come from completed or in-progress projects, including previously released works, provided you hold the necessary rights to submit the music and picture for evaluation and live performance.

Yes. Submissions should consist of a single cue that can stand on its own musically, even if it originates from a larger project.

Yes. Multiple submissions are permitted, but each cue must be submitted separately and requires its own entry fee.

Yes. Submissions may include high-quality MIDI or virtual orchestral mockups, provided the music is fully written to picture. The piece does not need to have been previously performed by a live orchestra.

No. Submissions may be written for any orchestration. If selected for performance, the composer should be prepared to adapt the orchestration for the ensemble listed on this page.

To ensure fair evaluation, all submissions must include a separate audio file (MP3 or WAV) of the submitted cue. This allows the music to be clearly assessed even if dialogue or sound effects are prominent in the film mix.

No. Submissions are considered final once submitted. Revisions or updated materials cannot be accepted after entry.

No. Composers are not required to own the underlying rights to the film or music. However, by submitting, you confirm that you have obtained any necessary permissions to submit the music and accompanying video for competition review and potential live performance. Responsibility for securing required rights and clearances rests solely with the submitter prior to submission.

Scores should be clear, legible, and professionally notated, and must be uploaded in PDF format, preferably in Tabloid size. Please do not submit notation project files (such as Dorico, Sibelius, or MuseScore files) unless specifically requested. Parts should not be submitted unless requested.

Submitted scores must be readable and suitable for rehearsal use if selected for performance.

Submitted materials are used solely for judging, review, and competition administration. Music and video will not be publicly shared or distributed without the composer’s permission.

All submissions are judged by SIMI Film Fest through a jury of professional composers and industry professionals. Every piece of music submitted will also be viewed by the SIMI Film Fest directors for oversight and fairness.

No. Judging and selection for performance are handled exclusively by SIMI Film Fest. Optional orchestral reviews are prepared independently by the Simi Valley Symphony Orchestra and have no influence on competition outcomes.

SVSO Orchestral Reviews are delivered on a rolling basis following submission, typically within several weeks. Due to submission volume, individual feedback is not provided unless this optional review is selected.

Due to the volume of submissions, individual feedback is only provided through the optional SVSO Orchestral Review. SIMI Film Fest judges focus solely on evaluating submissions for the competition, while the Simi Valley Symphony Orchestra independently provides optional orchestral feedback.

Selected composers will be notified after the close of submissions and completion of the judging process. Detailed performance and concert information will be provided at that time. It is anticipated that enough notice will be given for score and parts preparation for adequate rehearsal time with the orchestra.

Attendance at the Film Music Concert is strongly encouraged but not required. Additional details regarding rehearsals and the Film Music Concert will be shared with selected composers. All selected composers will be given an All Access Pass to the entire film fest allowing them to meet with and network with all filmmakers during the Festival.