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How to Propose...
Showcase, conference, film
Deadline for all WOMEX 09 programme proposals was Friday, 17 April 2009.
WOMEX Conference Proposal
WOMEX Film Screening Proposal
WOMEX Showcase Proposal
The Jury Process
Each year WOMEX selects a new group of seven Jury members - the famed 7 Samurai - to work on the Showcase selection and consult on the Conference. In recent years we have received many high quality proposals for Showcases and Conference Sessions for a limited number of slots, so the task is hard and the competition spirited.
Film proposals are independently juried by the IMZ International Music + Media Centre, Vienna.
Conference Proposal
The deadline for proposals was Friday, 17 April 2009.
WOMEX delegates tend to like the following: sessions with good, solid information of use to the world music network; talks on new trends and technologies for music; talks on culture and the politics of culture; introductions to traditions or artists; interviews with noteworthy artists; master classes in the music industry; how-to sessions... You get the idea. And remember that they like to be surprised. Suggest something radically different. But whatever you suggest, be sure to convince the Jury that your proposal simply must be picked.
The Conference Proposal Form and further information on the proposal process will be made available online soon.
Mentoring Sessions: After a successful first run in 2008, we will offer Mentoring Sessions again. Inspired by our friends at SXSW, delegates will be able to sign up to talk to experts in a variety of fields. Each delegate will have 15 minutes of consultation, and all encounters will be entirely private. The sessions will last 90 minutes overall. Mentors will be asked to do 2 of these sessions on 2 different days. We are looking for mentors - managers, experienced artists, labels, festivals, press and publicity experts, distributors, in short, anyone with valuable advice and feedback to offer. If you're interested, please send us a short bio with your experience. Should you be selected, a free registration will be yours.
Master Classes: We'll be offering several practical sessions on the music business, and are looking for 'masters'. Can you offer a course in contracts, distribution, online press and promotion, label start-ups, festivals and the like? Here, too, we'll need a short bio and information about your past presentations, if any. Once again, free registrations will be offered for all who are selected.
Interested? Send us an email.
Film Screening Proposal
The deadline for proposals was Friday, 17 April 2009.
Film proposals are independently juried by the IMZ, International Music + Media Centre, Vienna.
Here's what they advise for anyone wanting to get their music-related film into the showcase. Obviously enough, they are looking for sheer, undeniable cinematic quality - a film that grabs the viewer, who should be moved by the way the story is told and how the message is conveyed. This means an intriguing storyline, dramatic composition, fascinating visuals and overall first-rate camera work. They welcome new/unheard/unseen subjects and niches but are open to established artists as well. Then, of course, comes the quality of the music itself.
As with all jury processes, there is always a subjective quality to the decision, but they do emphasise that connection with the viewer.
As for the technical considerations, the IMZ needs:
- Two viewing copies of good quality on an easily accessible format.
- If the film is not finished by the WOMEX submission deadline, at the very least enough rough cuts or previous works for the Jury to get a clear, confident idea of how the finished work will turn out. Then the commitment to send the final version as quickly as possible and an indication of the expected date of delivery.
- Full, precise information filled out on the online IMZ entry form (film and music credits, synopsis, etc.).
- A picture for illustrating the aesthetic of the film.
Artist Showcase Proposal
The deadline for proposals was Friday, 17 April 2009.
Here we go. Calling all world music artists and DJs… It's time for Showcase proposals for WOMEX 09. Come perform at the premier world music Showcase event on the planet. If selected by our 7 Samurai Jury, you'll play before the largest audience anywhere of international world music concert and festival bookers (over 1000 each of the past two years), labels, distributors, journalists and industry professionals - everyone you need to help launch, re-launch, sustain and expand your career.
Performances in all world music forms and styles are welcome for our 45-minute sets - traditional, classical, modern, popular, electronic. Whatever you do, wherever you come from, our jury wants to hear the best from all artists who deserve wider audiences and have the professional standards necessary to tour.
Funding: Please note that WOMEX is not in the position to cover any fees, travel expenses or other costs. What we do provide is the stage, the necessary equipment to perform, local transport to and from the airport and the venue, and our extensive promotional treatment on equal basis with all other WOMEX Showcase artists. That includes promotion of the show itself, newsletters, online features, publication with full bios and contact details in our WOMEX Guide, and much more besides. Plus, all invited artists will get free full access to all parts of WOMEX plus one free registration for our partner of agreement (the artist representative).
So, if you want to propose a showcase, think carefully about financing and let the Jury know what support or funding you have.
Interested?
Once again this year we are using an online proposal process hosted by Sonicbids. As you'll see from the previous Jury's comments and a general FAQ on Sonicbids, this was the best method we've found to pay concentrated, respectful attention to each and every proposing showcase artist - not just for the few days of the jury session, but for the many weeks leading up to it as well.
One technical note: There are some territories in the world where electricity is unreliable and/or there might not be sufficient Internet bandwidth to upload your files. In that case, early write us at showcase@womex.com and explain the problem. We will come up with a solution. Everyone who contacted us last year got their artists on Sonicbids, so don't worry. No one will be disadvantaged.
Here's how to submit…
Submission process Step 1: Create and submit your EPK through Sonicbids
The application fee is 20 USD if submitted before 31 March, or 30 USD, if submitted between 1 April and the midnight 17 April deadline.
A WOMEX showcase submission includes a free 6-month Sonicbids regular membership for anyone new to Sonicbids.
Just go to www.sonicbids.com/WOMEX2009 to sign up and begin creating your EPK. The EPK is where artists store everything they need to present themselves: music, photos, biography, and lots more. In order to be considered for WOMEX, you will need the following items - all of them, without exception:
- a full biography
- discography
- five songs in MP3 format (up to 25 MB)
- photos
- a complete stage plan
- full technical rider, including backline
- selected press reviews or other text info
- full instrumentation
- your 2009 planned gigs in Europe, if any.
- NO video uploading needed (see Step 2, below)
Important: If you don't receive a confirmation email stating "WOMEX submission received", Step 1 is not finished. In that case please contact us!
Submission process Step 2: Send your CDs and Videos to the WOMEX office
Send 2 CDs of your latest release + any available DVDs/video material (video or performance footage; it doesn't have to be in broadcast quality) via postal mail to the WOMEX office below.
Attention! Mark your package outside with "for promotional use only" and include the name of the artist. The value indicated should be less than 25,- Euro because of customs regulations. Sorry - materials submitted cannot be returned. Proposals arriving after deadline Friday, 17 April 2009 cannot be considered.
Warning: Your proposal can only be considered if you send all the requested material to Sonicbids AND additionally send the CDs and any available DVDs/video material to the WOMEX office - with a delivery deadline of Friday, 17 April 2009.
Here's how to address your package:
WOMEX
Name of your Artist
Bergmannstr. 102
10961 Berlin
Germany
Tel +49 30 318 614 - 27
Fax +49 30 318 614 - 10
showcase@womex.com
That is the sum of our advice. Be complete, but convincing and be on time.
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