IMSTA — IMSTA Online Song Competition 2026

IMSTA runs a songwriting competition all year, with regional heats attached to its FESTA events in cities such as New York, Toronto and Beijing, plus this online track that anyone can enter from anywhere. Songs of any genre are accepted from both new and established writers, and each city winner then competes with the online winner for the global title.

Entry costs $20 per song. The song must be entirely your own work, no longer than five minutes, uploaded as an MP3; co-writers are fine but one name has to be nominated as the entrant, and that person receives any prize. You must be at least sixteen. Judges score on melody, composition, originality and, where they exist, lyrics. Shortlisted writers are asked for a second song for the final round, and finalists are expected to be present for judging at an IMSTA FESTA event — worth knowing before you enter from the other side of the world, since the grand prize winner also has to be able to travel to collect it.

The prize is not cash. The global winner receives a bundle of music software valued at over $5,000. IMSTA is a software trade association, and its rules say winners may be asked to prove the track was made with legally purchased software.

Entries are final once submitted, and IMSTA states that closing and announcement dates can change without notice, so check the page rather than a calendar reminder.