Kristine Mirelle Library

Artist Resource Library

Curated contests, festivals, and opportunities for independent artists. Sourced from the Kristine Mirelle collection.

21 Contests Listed•Up to $50,000+ in prizes•All Genres Covered

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21 resources found

Songwriting

Unsigned Only

Enter

Grand Prize

$20,000

Entry Fee

$20–$35

Deadline: January (annual)

Competition exclusively for artists without record deals. Open to multiple genres including a special Screen Shot category for film/TV/advertising placement.

Songwriting

American Songwriter Lyric Contest

Enter

Grand Prize

Round-Trip to Nashville + Demo Session + Hotel + Co-Write

Entry Fee

$15

Deadline: May 15

Open to amateur songwriters who have not earned more than $5,000 from songwriting royalties. Grand prize includes a professional co-write with a top Nashville songwriter.

Songwriting

Songwriting University Inc.

Enter

Grand Prize

$10,000

Entry Fee

$40

Deadline: June 30

Judged by successful songwriters, artists, producers and industry pros. Mission: to honor songs and songwriters and get great music heard.

Performance

Star Launch

Enter

Grand Prize

$1,000

Entry Fee

Free

Deadline: Ongoing

Submit a cell phone video of original content to get noticed. Simple entry process for up-and-coming singers, songwriters, and bands.

Songwriting

Great American Song Contest

Enter

Grand Prize

$15,000

Entry Fee

$35

Deadline: November 18

Prestigious song contest with multiple genre categories and prizes including professional recording equipment.

Songwriting

International Songwriting Competition (ISC)

Enter

Grand Prize

$15,000

Entry Fee

$25–$35

Deadline: Early Bird: June 10 | Regular: Sept 16 | Extended: Nov 4

Annual contest with the most prestigious panel of judges of all songwriting competitions. Open to amateur and professional songwriters worldwide.

Songwriting

The John Lennon Songwriting Contest

Enter

Grand Prize

Over $300,000 in prizes

Entry Fee

$30

Deadline: June 15

International contest running since 1997. Judged on originality, melody, composition, and lyrics. Professional recording not required. Entry fees support the John Lennon Educational Tour Bus.

Songwriting

Mid-Atlantic Song Contest (MASC)

Enter

Grand Prize

$1,000

Entry Fee

$18–$26 per song

Deadline: October

Presented by the Songwriters Association of Washington. Winners receive monetary awards, music industry services, conference access, and gala performance opportunities.

Songwriting

USA Songwriting Competition

Enter

Grand Prize

$50,000 Cash + Merchandise + Services

Entry Fee

$35

Deadline: May 29 or earlier

One of the largest prize pools in songwriting contests. Open to all genres with original songs.

Festival/Performance

Planet Bluegrass Songwriter Showcase

Enter

Grand Prize

Festival Main Stage Set + Taylor Guitar + $400

Entry Fee

$10/song

Deadline: May 22

Nationally-recognized singer-songwriter competition for artists who write and perform original music and are not signed to a major deal. Judged on song composition, vocals, and overall performance.

Songwriting

Texas Music Picker Top Pick

Enter

Grand Prize

$750 + Opening Slot + Studio Recording + Songwriting Session

Entry Fee

$20

Deadline: August 15

Contest includes grand prize of $750 cash, an opening slot, a recorded single from Hilltrax Studios, and songwriting sessions with award-winning writers.

Indie

Indie Music Contest

Enter

Grand Prize

$1,754 + Music Gateway packages

Entry Fee

Free

Deadline: Ongoing

Includes Music Gateway Game Changer Account (Sync & Licensing), Spotify Campaign, and Artist Development Programme as part of prize packages.

Indie

Indie Originals Inc.

Enter

Grand Prize

$2,500 package

Entry Fee

$19

Deadline: June 15

Winners invited to perform at IndieCon awards ceremony. Past winners received free studio time and opportunities to open for popular acts at large venues.

Film/Sync

Indie Film Music Contest

Enter

Grand Prize

$1,500 + KONTAKT Player Bundle

Entry Fee

$30

Deadline: May 11

Compose original music for a short animated film. Open worldwide to all ages. Judged purely on creative storytelling through music — mixing/mastering quality not a factor.

Film/Sync

How To Get Your Music Synced on TV, Video Games & More — Ari's Take

Enter

Grand Prize

Sync Agent Guide

Entry Fee

Free

Deadline: Always Available

Music supervisors don't work with indie artists anymore in sync licensing and prefer to work with sync agents. Here's how to get one. Essential reading for any artist pursuing film, TV, and game placements.

Film/Sync

Music Sync Licensing for Film, TV & Games — Symphonic

Enter

Grand Prize

Sync Placement Opportunities

Entry Fee

Apply

Deadline: Ongoing

Symphonic works with a curated group of artists and rights holders to pursue sync opportunities across film, television, advertising, and video games.

Film/Sync

Best Sync Licensing Opportunities for Hip Hop and R&B — Blak Marigold Studio

Enter

Grand Prize

Sync Licensing Guide

Entry Fee

Free

Deadline: Always Available

Sync licensing — getting your songs placed in TV shows, films, ads, and games — is one of the most lucrative avenues for Hip-Hop and R&B artists. Comprehensive guide to the best opportunities.

Songwriting

Song of the Year

Enter

Grand Prize

$30,000

Entry Fee

$29.95

Deadline: Varies

Grammy-winning judges. Top 50 songwriters get songs sent to record labels, publishers, management companies, and booking agents. Cash and prizes valued over $80,000.

Social Impact

5th Annual Songs for Social Change

Enter

Grand Prize

$500 + Compilation CD feature

Entry Fee

$5

Deadline: Ongoing

Open to all genres — songs must be about social change. Winners featured on compilation CD sent to radio stations. Photos and links promoted on website and social media.

Festival/Performance

Chris Austin Songwriting Contest

Enter

Grand Prize

$600 + D'Addario Strings + Guitar Magazine Sub + Kyser Products

Entry Fee

$30

Deadline: Opens Oct 1 | Closes Feb 1

Three finalists per category perform at MerleFest in Wilkesboro, NC. All-access festival passes and lodging provided for finalists. First place winners perform on the Austin Stage.

Songwriting

Music City SongStar

Enter

Grand Prize

$2,500

Entry Fee

$30

Deadline: August 15

Judges hear songs all the way through — not cut off after the first chorus. Songs judged anonymously with no personal identifying information visible. Levels the playing field for all artists.

Curated by Kristine Mirelle

This library is for educational and informational purposes. Always verify contest deadlines and fees directly on the official websites before entering.