Music Videos in May 2026 -
Call for Bands & Solo Music Performers (Now Closed)
Want to make a music video?
Screen South, in partnership Seaview Studio and Folkestone Music Town, are looking for Kent-based music acts (bands or solo performers) – working in any genre – to come together with local filmmakers to produce four new music videos by the end of May 2026
We want to hear your ideas for a music video of no more than 4 minutes which could be shot in Folkestone and edited in a week, and which must include some element of digital creativity, whether green screen, infinity cove, 360° video or another digital format. Each video will need to be shot in one day (8-hour shooting day) and edited in 3 days.
We’re excited to hear from Kent-based recording artists from any genre of music – from punk to pop, grime to classical – but you must apply with an original composition to which you own all the rights. The track needs to be recorded and mastered by the time you make the video.
Tracks submitted must not be restricted by any third party that will ‘prevent us from presenting the track and video publicly on 29 May as part of the Music Videos in May Showcase and online release. Additionally, the tracks must all be released in June.
If we select you and your track, we’ll match you with a suitable director and editor to shoot and edit the video in May.
You’re also welcome to apply as part of a team comprising band/musician and video director if there’s someone you want to work with, but this is not obligatory – and doesn’t guarantee that the whole team will be selected. Directors can express interest here
Please carefully read the FAQs and review the timeline below to be sure of your availability before you apply.
Get in touch with any questions at info@screensouth.org
FAQs
What do I need to apply?
You’ll need:
– Your finished track
– A music video idea, sketched out in written or storyboard form.
– A short video (of up to 3 minutes) – uploaded to YouTube or Vimeo – in which you tell us why you want to make a music video for this track. Why do you believe you are a good fit for this opportunity? Is there anything else you feel we should know about your band/music?
My song's lyrics include references to adult themes or swearing. Can I still apply?
All of the videos produced must be certified no higher than 12A by the local licensing authorities, so if you want to take part, you should be prepared to produce a ‘clean version’ of your track. You can read more about the BBFC guidelines on film classification here
Do I have to be available for all of the dates mentioned in the timeline below?
We will consider applications from people who let us know that they will be unable to attend one or two specific dates, but musician’s full participation in the process, from interview, through labs, to filming, to release is necessary for the project to work.
What will the terms and conditions be?
You will receive ownership of your finished music video.
You will commit to:
– Releasing your track in June 2026
– The video premiere on the final weekend of May 2026
– Granting the director permission to use the video for non commercial purposes
– Making an agreement with the director around commercial use of the video (i.e, if they want to enter the video into competitions). One of last year’s entries, Amelie Roden’s Collecting Dust, directed by Cat Davies, won best music video at the LA Femme Film Festival.
Can I submit a song that has previously been released?
We will only accept applications for tracks that have not been previously released as stand-alone tracks. Tracks from a recently released album that have not received single release will be considered.
Timeline
20 Feb 2026
Deadline for applications
26 Feb 2026
Shortlisted artists notified
3-4 March 2026
Shortlist interviews. Applicants must be available for interview during this week.
6 March 2026
Selected artists announced!
26 March 2026
Musicians’ and directors’ lab day. All artists must be available on this day.
1 April 2026
Music video teams pitch their final video ideas (online).
2 April 2026
Musicians’ and directors’ second lab day. Focus on performance and promotion.
W/C 6 April 2026
1-2-1 Sessions (all artists must be available for a slot during this week).
28 Apr – 22 May 2026
Each video will be shot in a different week of May. Musicians will be required for a rehearsal day and a shoot day in their shoot week.
29 May 2026
Screening and premiere event for all music videos in Folkestone.
From 1 June 2026
Musicians can release their videos. All videos to be released in the first week of June.
