IFP 50 Hour Music Challenge - Rules

IFP 50 Hour Music Challenge – Rules

General

  1. The 50 Hour Music Challenge is open to participants from across the globe.
  2. Music-making hours are scheduled from 28th August, 2026 | 8:00 PM IST (GMT+5:30) to 30th August, 2026 | 10:00 PM IST (GMT+5:30).
  3. The song can be in any language. Regardless of the language of the track, the team is required to send the lyrics in the Romanized text and the English translation of the same.
  4. Each team will select its genre during registration. Teams can change their genre in the registration form before registration closes.
  5. Team members will receive the theme online on IFP’s Instagram, as well as on the registered Team Leader’s Email ID and WhatsApp.
  6. All the Winning tracks will be promoted and distributed by IFP on all the affiliated channels.
  7. All team members must be volunteers, meaning they are participating without receiving payment for their services. This ensures the spirit of the challenge remains focused on creativity and collaboration.
  8. The team can have a minimum of 1 person and a maximum of 10 people, including singers. E-certificates will be awarded only to registered team members and sent to the email address provided during registration.
  9. Once participation is confirmed, refunds will not be issued.

Tech

  1. The entire song must be created within the 50-hours timeframe. Pre-composed music or lyrics will result in disqualification.
  2. A compulsory element shall be given to the team at the beginning of the challenge. Teams must adhere to the theme, genre, and include the compulsory element to qualify.
  3. The finished song should be a minimum of 3 minutes and a maximum of 5 minutes.
  4. The final master should be professionally recorded using microphones (condenser or dynamic), properly mixed and mastered in a noiseless environment for optimal sound quality. The final song must be mastered in 16-bit, stereo, and 44.1kHz and uploaded in uncompressed WAV format.
  5. The uploaded song file size must be strictly below 100 MB. The file name should be your Creator ID (e.g., MU2100.wav).
  6. Using sound samples and sampling from existing songs is prohibited, except for royalty-free sound samples, which require proper credit in the lyrics document.
  7. The track must be an original work and must not infringe any third-party rights. It must be suitable for publication. The track must not contain any copyrighted elements not owned by the team.

Submission

  1. Participants must submit their song via the upload link provided to the Team Leader. The upload link will be sent at the beginning of the challenge.
  2. Along with the song, teams must submit lyrics in a PDF document (maximum file size 5MB) following the provided sample format (Courier font, size 12). The file name should be your Creator ID (e.g., MU2100.pdf). For non-English songs, provide Romanized lyrics and an English translation in the same document.
    Sample Lyrics file here – click here to download
  3. Each team must submit the signed Creator’s Agreement for all team members along with the upload. These documents will be sent to the Team Leader via email at the start of the 50-hour challenge. The track will not be evaluated until the signed agreements are received.
    Sample Creator Agreement can be viewed here, please note that we will be sending a link to sign the agreement at the team leader’s registered email address.
  4. Teams are ideally expected to keep 48 hours for music making and 2 hours for upload. A 4-hour extension will be granted for genuine technical difficulties. However, late submissions will be penalized: 0-1 hour late: 5% deduction; 1-2 hours late: 7.5% deduction; 2-4 hours late: 10% deduction.

Evaluation

  1. Your submission will be evaluated based on: Creativity and originality, Lyrics, Melody, Structure, Adherence to the theme, Adherence to the chosen genre, and Incorporation of the compulsory element (if any).

Disclaimer

  1. The track must not contain any material that violates personal rights, religious beliefs, incites violence, makes derogatory remarks about someone’s sexuality or belief, invades privacy, or infringes on the rights of any person, firm, or entity.
  2. Teams are requested to keep the original recordings and project files for three years after submission. IFP may choose to utilise these tracks for various purposes, requiring the highest quality.
  3. IFP may add to or amend these rules at any time before the music challenge begins without prior notice.
  4. Tracks containing prohibited or inappropriate content, as determined by IFP and its partners, will be disqualified.

Genre Suggestions (For Reference Only)

Teams can explore the following sub-genres within their chosen genre for inspiration:

  • ROCK: Hard Rock, Funk, Alternative, Grunge, Punk
  • POP: Dream Pop, Acoustic Pop, R&B, Singer-Songwriter, Bollywood
  • ELECTRONIC: Psychedelic, House, EDM, Techno
  • HIPHOP: Rap, Trap, Pop-Rap
  • FOLK FUSION: Indie, Fusion, Classical, Folk

IFP 50 Hour Music Challenge – Rules

General

  1. The 50 Hour Music Challenge is open to participants from across the globe.
  2. Music-making hours are scheduled from 28th August, 2026 | 8:00 PM IST (GMT+5:30) to 30th August, 2026 | 10:00 PM IST (GMT+5:30).
  3. The song can be in any language. Regardless of the language of the track, the team is required to send the lyrics in the Romanized text and the English translation of the same.
  4. Each team will select its genre during registration. Teams can change their genre in the registration form before registration closes.
  5. Team members will receive the theme online on IFP’s Instagram, as well as on the registered Team Leader’s Email ID and WhatsApp.
  6. All the Winning tracks will be promoted and distributed by IFP on all the affiliated channels.
  7. All team members must be volunteers, meaning they are participating without receiving payment for their services. This ensures the spirit of the challenge remains focused on creativity and collaboration.
  8. The team can have a minimum of 1 person and a maximum of 10 people, including singers. E-certificates will be awarded only to registered team members and sent to the email address provided during registration.
  9. Once participation is confirmed, refunds will not be issued.

Tech

  1. The entire song must be created within the 50-hours timeframe. Pre-composed music or lyrics will result in disqualification.
  2. A compulsory element shall be given to the team at the beginning of the challenge. Teams must adhere to the theme, genre, and include the compulsory element to qualify.
  3. The finished song should be a minimum of 3 minutes and a maximum of 5 minutes.
  4. The final master should be professionally recorded using microphones (condenser or dynamic), properly mixed and mastered in a noiseless environment for optimal sound quality. The final song must be mastered in 16-bit, stereo, and 44.1kHz and uploaded in uncompressed WAV format.
  5. The uploaded song file size must be strictly below 100 MB. The file name should be your Creator ID (e.g., MU2100.wav).
  6. Using sound samples and sampling from existing songs is prohibited, except for royalty-free sound samples, which require proper credit in the lyrics document.
  7. The track must be an original work and must not infringe any third-party rights. It must be suitable for publication. The track must not contain any copyrighted elements not owned by the team.

Submission

  1. Participants must submit their song via the upload link provided to the Team Leader. The upload link will be sent at the beginning of the challenge.
  2. Along with the song, teams must submit lyrics in a PDF document (maximum file size 5MB) following the provided sample format (Courier font, size 12). The file name should be your Creator ID (e.g., MU2100.pdf). For non-English songs, provide Romanized lyrics and an English translation in the same document.
    Sample Lyrics file here – click here to download
  3. Each team must submit the signed Creator’s Agreement for all team members along with the upload. These documents will be sent to the Team Leader via email at the start of the 50-hour challenge. The track will not be evaluated until the signed agreements are received.
    Sample Creator Agreement can be viewed here, please note that we will be sending a link to sign the agreement at the team leader’s registered email address.
  4. Teams are ideally expected to keep 48 hours for music making and 2 hours for upload. A 4-hour extension will be granted for genuine technical difficulties. However, late submissions will be penalized: 0-1 hour late: 5% deduction; 1-2 hours late: 7.5% deduction; 2-4 hours late: 10% deduction.

Evaluation

  1. Your submission will be evaluated based on: Creativity and originality, Lyrics, Melody, Structure, Adherence to the theme, Adherence to the chosen genre, and Incorporation of the compulsory element (if any).

Disclaimer

  1. The track must not contain any material that violates personal rights, religious beliefs, incites violence, makes derogatory remarks about someone’s sexuality or belief, invades privacy, or infringes on the rights of any person, firm, or entity.
  2. Teams are requested to keep the original recordings and project files for three years after submission. IFP may choose to utilise these tracks for various purposes, requiring the highest quality.
  3. IFP may add to or amend these rules at any time before the music challenge begins without prior notice.
  4. Tracks containing prohibited or inappropriate content, as determined by IFP and its partners, will be disqualified.

Genre Suggestions (For Reference Only)

Teams can explore the following sub-genres within their chosen genre for inspiration:

  • ROCK: Hard Rock, Funk, Alternative, Grunge, Punk
  • POP: Dream Pop, Acoustic Pop, R&B, Singer-Songwriter, Bollywood
  • ELECTRONIC: Psychedelic, House, EDM, Techno
  • HIPHOP: Rap, Trap, Pop-Rap
  • FOLK FUSION: Indie, Fusion, Classical, Folk

What is the festival all about?
IFP is a multi-staged creativity & culture festival that happens across two days with more than 180+ prominent creators from Films & OTT, Digital, Literature & Writing, Music, Design & Art, Storytelling, Audio & Podcasting, Photography, Tech & Gaming, Comedy, Culture, Advertising and Performing arts who will participate in various Conversations, Panels, Workshops, Masterclasses, Live Performances, and AMAs.

 

Are there any hidden charges?
No, only GST will be levied on the tickets as per the government’s rules and regulations.

 

When and where is the festival happening?
The festival is scheduled to take place on-ground in  Mumbai on December 6th & 7th, 2025.

 

Is the festival accessible for People of Determination?
Yes, IFP is an all-inclusive and accessible festival. We will be tying up with an accessibility management agency to ensure the same.

 

Can I attend all the sessions?
Yes, you will have access to all the sessions taking place across all 2 days. However Stage entry and seating will be on a first come first serve basis.

 

Where can I buy tickets?
The tickets are available on all the major Ticketing Platforms and on IFP’s Website. Click here to buy the tickets.

 

Will there be an award ceremony for the challenges?
Yes, the winners of all the challenges of IFP will be awarded during the festival. Kindly check the schedule regarding the same.

 

What will be the timings of the festival?
The first session on October 12 & 13, 2024 (i.e. Saturday and Sunday) will start at 10am and the last session will end at 9pm.

 

I’m a member of the media? How do I make arrangements for a media pass?
You can  fill-up the form with relevant details and request for media invite.

 

Wow, there are lots of artists taking sessions! Will I get to personally interact with them?
There is no guarantee, however, you could plan for the questions you would want to ask in the event and if you are lucky, you will get an opportunity to ask them.

 

Will there be food at the venue?
Yes, there will be a food zone at the festival. 

 

Will there be parking at the venue?
No, there will be no parking available at the venue.

 

Is there any age limit/rule?
No. The festival is open to all ages.

 

How do I become a Sponsor?
Please mail us at ritam@ifp.world

 

What is your ticket policy?
Tickets are purchased online through our (platform) and on-ground on festival days. Tickets are non-refundable and non-transferable.

 

What are some of the general measures that ensure safety in all forms at the festival?
Harassment, abuse , stalking, threatening or defaming/ violating any rights (right to privacy and publicity) is not allowed and will be taken seriously. Attendees are not allowed to carry any harmful substances, weapons or arms of any kind.