The EBU has offered a development contract to Berlin-based production company EuroArts to develop a unique documentary series called Soundtrack Europe.

The series, blending travel, culture and musical performances, will see renowned singer-songwriter Joy Denalane travel to different regions of Europe in search of the continent’s musical essence as expressed through its folk music.

The collaboration is the result of a new coproduction development initiative of the EBU Music & Dance Bureau in partnership with the Vienna-based IMZ International Music + Media Centre, which saw 23 production companies from across Europe respond to a call for proposals. Six producers were shortlisted and interviewed by EBU Music & Dance commissioners on 15 June.

EBU Music & Dance Bureau Chairman Prof. Lothar Mattner (ARD/WDR) said that EuroArts’ proposal was selected over a large number of strong entries for its strong coproduction potential:

“This series promises to get to the heart of the complex issue of European identity by travelling through musical regions that are, like the continent itself, ‘unified through diversity.’ For editorial and practical reasons that makes it a project that can only be fully achieved with the involvement of a large number of EBU broadcasters.”

For EBU Media Director Jean Philip De Tender, the collaboration offers EBU members priority access to the most creative producers across Europe’s wider broadcast sector: “Partnership with IMZ – whose membership includes EBU broadcasters and private production companies – gives our members a chance to hear first about the best new ideas from commercial sector producers like EuroArts, and we are excited to develop this landmark series together.”

IMZ General Secretary Franz Patay added: “The cutting-edge project of the IMZ International Music + Media Centre offers projects of European dimension with cultural background exclusive admission to the whole EBU-network and enables productions which require international cooperations.” 

Soundtrack Europe will be launched at Avant-Première Music + Media Market Berlin, organized by the IMZ International Music + Media Centre, in February 2017.