International Songwriting Competition

The International Songwriting Competition (ISC), founded in 2002, is an annual songwriting contest for both amateur and professional songwriters. There is no physical event to attend as the competition is held online, and anyone in the world can enter. Each year the competition gives away over $150,000 USD in cash and prizes, including $25,000 USD in cash to the overall Grand Prize Winner. Additionally, ISC offers an opportunity for artists to have their songs heard by celebrity artists and music industry executives.

Overview
Depending on the category, submissions are judged on the following criteria:
 * Creativity
 * Originality
 * Lyrics
 * Melody
 * Arrangement
 * Overall likability

There are 24 categories artists can enter:


 * AAA (Adult Album Alternative)
 * AC (Adult Contemporary)
 * Americana
 * Blues
 * Children's Music
 * Christian,
 * Comedy/Novelty
 * Country
 * EDM (Electronic Dance Music)
 * Folk/Singer-Songwriter
 * Hip-Hop/Rap
 * Instrumental
 * Jazz,
 * Latin Music
 * Lyrics Only
 * Music Video
 * Performance
 * Pop/Top 40
 * R&B/Soul
 * Rock
 * Teen
 * Unpublished
 * Unsigned
 * World Music

Winners
Previous winners of the ISC include:


 * Tones and I
 * The Band Perry
 * Roman Miroshnichenko
 * Faouzia
 * Illenium
 * Gin Wigmore
 * R.LUM.R
 * Vance Joy
 * Kimbra
 * The Teskey Brothers
 * Amy Shark
 * Altered Five Blues Band

Judges
The ISC will often have celebrity judges on the panel. Past and Present judges include:


 * Mariah Carey
 * Gloria Estefan
 * Hozier
 * Dua Lipa
 * Florida Georgia Line
 * Linkin Park
 * Coldplay
 * The Chainsmokers
 * Rhianna
 * Lorde
 * Bastille
 * Kristian Bush (Sugarland)
 * Femi Kuti