Compose original music for a film

Are you composing original music for a film with international ambitions? Sabam can contribute up to 20% of the music production budget, with a maximum grant of €8,500.

Purpose of the grant

This grant is designed to support the production of original music for films with an international dimension. It contributes to costs directly associated with the creation and production of the score, including studio recording, musicians, arranging and orchestration.

The aim is to help producers and composers secure sufficient resources to create high-quality original soundtracks for internationally oriented feature-film co-productions.

How much funding can I receive?

The grant covers 20% of the original music production budget. 

Eligible music production costs may include: 

• External studio hire
• Musician's fees
• Arrangement costs
• Orchestration costs

The grant amount is: 

• Minimum: €750
• Maximum: €8,500
  
  

Who is eligible?

You may apply if

• The project is a feature film (fiction, animation or documentary) produced as an international co-production involving at least two countries.
• The composer is a Sabam member.
• If the producer also acts as the publisher, the soundtrack must have a planned secondary exploitation beyond its use in the film.
• Original music represents the principal musical component of the completed film.
• Only one application per producer may be supported each calendar year.
• The music budget is contractually agreed between the producer and composer and includes fair remuneration for the composer.
• The composer has been informed of and agrees with the application.
• The international exploitation potential of the film, the scale of the music production budget and any opportunities for secondary exploitation are key evaluation criteria.
• The music budget, excluding licences for pre-existing music, represents at least 1.5% of the total film budget.
  
  

Examples

This table is provided for reference purposes only and does not constitute guidance on the appropriate remuneration of music within audiovisual productions.

Projects with a total budget below €500,000 may also qualify, provided that the minimum allocation of 1.5% for original music is maintained.

Where the music production budget exceeds €80,000, the maximum grant remains capped at €8,500, regardless of the overall film budget.

Application deadline

Applications can be submitted on a rolling basis until the available budget has been fully allocated.

Supporting documents required

Applicants must provide: 

• A cooperation agreement between the producer and composer.
• A detailed overall production budget for the film.
• A detailed budget for the original music.
• A cue sheet or a list of the musical works used in the soundtrack, including their duration (this may be submitted at a later stage if not available before post-production).
• The agreement between the composer and producer.
• Written approval from the composer confirming their consent to the application.
  
  

Eligible costs

The following costs are eligible:

• External studio hire
• Musicians
• Arrangement
• Orchestration
  
  

Assessment of your application

Applications will be assessed within 15 working days based on the criteria set out above.

Sabam reserves the right to:

• Reject certain expenses;
• Reject applications that do not meet the criteria or the rules of the Sabam Cultural Fund;
• Reject your application if the budget for this grant has been exhausted;
• Announce the award of your grant once it has been approved.
  
  

Payment Terms

Payment of your grant will be made in several steps:

• Exclude certain costs from the grant calculation.
• Refuse applications that do not comply with the eligibility criteria or the regulations of the Sabam Cultural Fund.
• Refuse applications once the available budget has been exhausted.

Payment conditions

The payment process consists of several stages:

1. Verification that the application complies with all grant requirements.
2. Review of the supporting documentation and budget information provided.
3. Verification of any visibility requirements, including the use of logos and acknowledgements where applicable.

Once all requirements have been fulfilled, Sabam will provide the invoicing details and a unique payment reference.

Payment is made upon receipt of a PDF invoice including 21% VAT, where applicable.

Applicants who prefer to receive payment as a private individual rather than through a company will receive a separate payment form by email.

Important

Once your application has been approved, you have 12 months to fulfil the payment conditions. After this period, a new application must be submitted.