Living Freedom Song Writing Contest

We’re inviting music artists from Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, and Thailand to join our songwriting contest. National rounds will be held, and the country winners will get to participate in the regional level with a chance to go to Germany!

Your original music and lyrics will be a reflection of your aspirations for yourself and your community, an ensemble of possibilities for a bright future anchored on greater freedoms.

Live Freedom, Sing Freedom

Southeast & East Asia has a continuing story in its quest for real freedom. From fighting for independence from colonizers and toppling dictators to claiming civic space and demanding truthful information, the region and its people are unrelenting. The coronavirus outbreak has also brought to surface many challenges, including the balancing of freedoms and containment strategies. It is in difficult situations when the essence of freedom becomes palpable, and the commitment to safeguard it is reinforced.

These are true in the political, economic, social spheres. In one’s personal life, how do you experience and stand up for freedom? When you share a thought on social media, or when you articulate a dissent – these are about freedom of expression and opinion, and we want you to tell it in a song.

Living Freedom songwriting contest spotlights the importance of people’s participation in governance, and also finds meaning in freedom in everyday life. It’s a stage to convey hopes and a call to action, that in spite any crises “freedom is what lies on the other side of fear,” and we all have a responsibility to shape our own future. It’s about striking a chord and generating emotions of positivity, to restart and embrace new opportunities and become the best of ourselves. The contest creates harmony, a common tune to always defend freedom.

The contest is organized by the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom (FNF), a German Liberal Foundation that promotes democracy, with offices in Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Thailand, and 50 other countries worldwide.

Learn, be recognized, and gain friends!

FNF offices in Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, and Thailand will hold separate online contests to cater to their local audience. One top song will emerge from the national rounds, each receiving tokens of recognition. They will move on to the regional level where they will also compete for the regional title.

The regional finalists will undergo an online masterclass to help them enhance their music composition. Together, they will also produce a song that will reflect the region’s solidarity efforts and commitment to freedom.

In November 2020, should situations permit, the group will fly to Manila, Philippines for the finals where they will perform their individual and group compositions before a live audience. The regional winner will be awarded on this event, who will get the chance to go to Germany.

Timeline: MYANMAR

June 1 2020 – Application opens!

July 30 2020 – Final Date of Song Submission

July 30 – August 7 2020 – Preliminary Online Voting

August 10 2020  – Announcement of five finalists

August 10 – 2nd week of September 2020 – Country-level Mentorship for five finalists

2nd week of September –Online LIVE Performance

2nd week of September – 3rd week of October – Air on Cherry FM & Online Voting Period

4th week of October – Top Song Revealed!

TBA – Regional Mentorship (Individual/ Group)

TBA – Live Performance in Manila, if travel allows

General Requirements

• Myanmar citizens
• Residence in Myanmar
• Age 18 – 40
• Myanmar Passport Holders
• Entries with prior winning experience are not allowed.

Selection Process (Country Level)

Preliminary Round

• 3 FNF staff will be on a judging panel and screening the music and lyrics. This judging panel will compose 60 % of total scores for all contestants.
• 40 % of scores for contestants will be calculated through preliminary online voting system.

5 Finalists

• 2 FNF staff and 2 experienced artists would compose a judging panel, providing 80 % of total scores for all finalists.
• 20 % of scores for all finalists will be calculated through social media voting.

Top Song at a Country Level

• Euro 500 (MMK 700,000) – contribution to production costs
• Live Performance on Facebook
• Air on Cherry FM, our local partner
• Recording released on FNF Myanmar’s Event Page
• Live Performance in Manila, the Philippines

 *The Friedrich Naumann Foundation will bear the costs of all travel and accommodation relevant to live performance in Manila, the Philippines.

Top Song at a Regional Level

• Contribution to Production Costs
• A Trip to Germany

Copyright

Finalists and Top Song performers do not have to surrender their copyright to the song.

FNF will be granted full permission to use the song for other purposes in the future, including, but not limited to:

• A compilation album of all the Top Songs to the contest
• As a soundtrack for videos or other multimedia production
• As background music during FNF events

How to Apply?

• Submit an online application form.
• Share a living freedom song (any music genres) in a mp4 format and lyrics via link (wetransfer, dropbox, googledrive, etc.) and copy/ paste the link address in the application form.
• Further inquiries can be made at Than Naing Aung, Phone – 09421084558; Email – than.aung@fnst.org