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OPEN CALL FOR EUROPEAN ARTISTS, SONGWRITERS, LABELS, PUBLISHERS, AND TRANSLATORS

Songwriters and Publishers

We are inviting you to translate your lyrics for meaning in different European languages, including English.

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Translators

We are inviting you to join our pool of translators who might be chosen by the songwriters, publishers, artists and labels to translate lyrics for a negotiated fee. 

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Artists and Labels

We are inviting you to record and release existing song/s in different European language/s.

If you find yourself interested in winning the EU grant for any or some of these roles, please keep reading - this might be for you!

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Opportunities

  • 17 projects will be selected:

    • 6 projects for translation or adaptation and, as feasible, release.

    • 11 projects for translation, recording and release.

  • Applicants are encouraged to present a combined application for both translation/adaptation and recording/release, as we prioritize end-to-end projects with guaranteed continuity of the work.

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Open Call for Lyric Translation and Adaptation

  • We are looking for “bodies of work”, e.g. albums or EPs, even catalogs, for which lyrics can be translated to as many languages as the applicants would like.

  • In parallel to a pool of translators applicants may choose from, we will provide our advanced BELEM Lyric Studio for AI-powered and human vetting if desired, translation from and into multiple languages. 

  • Translated lyrics will be inserted into the LyricFind platform for subsequent licensed distribution to Deezer, .MUSIC (new top level domain), BELEM.MUSIC and other digital platforms and music services.

  • We are also soliciting translators with experience in translating lyrics to join our pool of translators which will then be made available to awarded songwriters and publishers as well as labels and artists. 

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Open Call for Recording and Releasing of a Translated Song

  • Artists and labels can record one or more translated versions of an existing and previously released song with all licenses from songwriters and publishers. 

  • All recordings will be distributed globally once released, along with their lyrics and - eventually - translations into different languages. Applicants can choose the distributor of their preference and - if needed - request BELEM to provide distribution options.

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Funding

  • Minimum project budget: €5000.

  • Lump sum award: €3000 (60% EU funding, 40% applicant co-investment).

  • Initial payment: €1500 upon signing the Project Support Agreement.

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Selection Criteria​

A jury of experts from AMAEI, RUNDA, IMPALA, IMPF, BELEM and external advisors will evaluate the submissions.

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Applicant Requirements

  • Owns, administers, or represents the rights to the proposed song(s) and track(s). 

  • Will provide an initial budget in the Project Support Agreement and financial and technical reports upon project completion.

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Important Dates

  • Application deadline: February 23, 2025.

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If selected:

  • Translations and lyric adaptations finished by: June 30th

  • Translated recording released by: Oct 15th

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We look forward to your proposals!

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Suggestion of Works to be Translated

Suggestion of Publishers & Writers Involved and Project Description

Recording


Each one of the 11 projects selected should work with a total budget of min. 5.000€, including:

 

  • Artist fees for days working on the project (incl. the recording musicians);

  • Studio fees (incl. studio staff hours);

  • Travel & accommodation fees; 

  • Per diems / meal expenses (for days working on the project);

  • Staff hours for supervision of the project;

Open Calls for Publishers, Songwriters and Translators

The procedure is as follows:

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Each Publisher project should prepare their project with a total budget of up to €5,000, including:

  • Songwriter fees for days working on the project works (ex. this could be just the translating songwriter or a team consisting of the original writer and multiple translator songwriters)

  • Studio fees (this could be a full songwriting camp scenario or just demo fees for new works created)

  • Travel & accommodation fees (for working meetings between songwriters or to attend the songwriting camp

  • Per diems / meal expenses (for days working on the project)

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Once a project is selected by the BELEM Steering Committee Members that make up the Jury, the selected Publishers will:

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  • Receive €1,500 initial payment towards the project (no invoice is needed for project payments from the EU) upon signature of the Project Support Agreement

  • Undertake the project and create the new works

  • Provide financial reporting on project execution and demonstrate up to €5,000 expenditures (this is made up of €3,000 of EU in addition to €2,000 of financing from the publisher) according to the proposed project budget

  • Provide technical reporting on how the project was implemented, including delivering new lyrics (with optional demo recordings) and LyricFind timecoding in appropriate formats as per BELEM's instructions, as well as accompanying proof of registration with the Publisher's society of choice

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Upon approval of the reporting, the second €1,500 will be paid to the Publisher.

Applications will close on Tuesday, March 12th, 2024.

We look forward to your Project Proposals!

 

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The BELEM Team

Suggestion of Works to be Translated

Suggestion of Works to be Translated

Translation

(and as feasible recording and release)


Each one of the 6 projects selected should work with a total budget of min. 5.000€, including:

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  • Contracts with translators and songwriters - (fees for the work sessions)

  • Travel & accommodation fees; 

  • Per diems / meal expenses (for days working on the project);

  • Staff hours for supervision of the project;

  • Any and all costs for recording and release; including artist and studio fees as feasible for the project.

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