How to Select Music for Short Films

Every second matters in a short film. With limited time to tell a powerful story, the music you choose plays a crucial role in creating emotional depth, tension, or even comic relief. Whether you're working with dramatic arcs, documentary footage, or an offbeat script, your soundtrack needs to serve the story—and stand out.

So, how do you find the right piece of music to bring your vision to life? Here are some pro tips.

Match Music to Your Genre

Start with the genre. The style and pacing of your film heavily influence your music choices. For example:

• Action scenes demand high-energy percussion and urgent rhythms.

• Horror thrives on unsettling sound design and eerie orchestration.

• Romantic moments benefit from soft piano, warm strings, and emotional melodies.

• Documentaries may need soundtracks that reflect the subject matter—ambient electronics for tech stories, or world music for cultural explorations.

• Comedies, whether lighthearted or dark, rely on musical cues to enhance timing and tone.

Need help narrowing it down? Our music directors curate playlists by genre and mood, updated weekly to save you time. Register to find your next sound and start exploring today.

Set the Scene with Sound

Music does more than enhance emotion—it also sets the stage. A bustling café, a lonely highway, or a windswept forest all call for different soundscapes. Think about what your audience should feel in that moment. Should the scene sound naturalistic, or slightly surreal? The right track can ground the viewer or completely throw them off balance—intentionally. With music for your next short film from our vast catalog, it’s easy to find location-specific and mood-centric cues that tie your visuals and audio together.

Amplify the Vibe

Modern storytelling is more fluid than ever. Many short films blend genres or break traditional molds altogether. That’s why choosing music based on vibe is just as important as matching genre. Are you scoring a high-stakes chase? An introspective monologue? A bittersweet farewell? Explore curated playlists for every emotion—from suspenseful to hopeful, quirky to epic. Discover a high quality track for your next production and watch your story come to life.

Get Inspired by the Greats

From Hans Zimmer to John Carpenter, legendary composers have shown us how music shapes meaning. Rewatch a classic film and listen carefully—how do the sound and visuals work together? If you hear something that resonates, our Similarity Search tool lets you upload reference audio or paste a YouTube link to find similar tracks in our library. It’s never been easier to recreate the vibe of your favorite film moments.

Need help translating your creative vision into sound? Our Music Directors collaborate with you on genre, mood, tempo, and emotion to build the perfect sonic match—fast.

Avoid Copyright Issues with Licensed Audio

The last thing you want is a copyright takedown on your masterpiece. Using properly licensed music ensures your project is protected for platforms like YouTube, festivals, and global distribution.

Universal Production Music offers flexible licensing models, including pay-per-use, subscription, and custom packages. You’ll be fully indemnified and covered for every type of usage—from digital to theatrical. Learn more about our licensing solutions and get the peace of mind that your soundtrack is as legally secure as it is stunning.

Bring Your Vision to Life with the Perfect Soundtrack

The right music doesn’t just support your story—it shapes how it's remembered. With our vast library, curated tools, and dedicated team, you’re never alone in the search.

Ready to get started? Register to find your next sound and explore thousands of professionally curated tracks today.