It’s the Big Five nation that turned around its run of bad luck and regularly brings home good results. Now France‘s broadcaster France 2 has opened submissions for its entry in Eurovision 2o18. But things are different this time: France will be returning to a national final.

While the broadcaster hasn’t released specific details of the national final, they have confirmed a contest format will be used to select France’s song for Eurovision 2018. The show will be produced by ITV Studios France, the French outpost of the major UK television production house.

The contest is open to all, potentially giving undiscovered French singers the chance to be the next Amir or Alma. There’s also the possibility that established French artists will also enter.

As well as the usual requirements for a Eurovision entry, there are some specific rules for the French song search. The song cannot have more than four songwriters behind it, and the lyrics must be at least 70% French. Both of France’s two most recent Eurovision entries have been bilingual, using English lyrics in the chorus to connect with non-French-speaking viewers.

Internal selection vs national final

Over the years, France has used both internal selection and various national finals to select its acts for Eurovision. However, in the past decade France has only used a national final once.

That was in 2014, when the act was selected as part of the music performance show Les chansons d’abord, hosted by France’s 2001 singer Natasha St-Pier.

Even though Twin Twin won the vote with their jaunty song “Moustache”, that didn’t translate to success in Copenhagen. They placed last, with only two points — France’s worst ever Eurovision result.

France’s internal selection has produced mixed results. In 2012, 2013 and 2015, the French entry regularly placed down the bottom end of the scoreboard. However, from 2016 — thanks to an enthusiastic and focused new Head of Delegation — France got their Eurovision groove back.

Amir’s 2016 entry “J’ai cherché” was a hot favourite in Stockholm, and ended up in 6th place with a very impressive 257 points. For Kyiv, Alma’s “Requiem” also had a good result, finishing in 12th place with 135 points.

What do you think? Will the French national final choose a good entry for Eurovision 2018? Or should they stick with internal selection? Share your thoughts below!

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Christian
Christian
6 years ago

Is there also a rule how many of the composers must be French like e. g. in Estonia or Switzerland? That’s an important thing in my opinion.

Twisted French
Twisted French
6 years ago

It’s a good thing only if they select quality songs first. You can’t trust French people when it comes to music. Look at what sells the most in France and you’ll have a glimpse of the French musical blush…. so yeah, give the power to the people but select what you put on the platter first.

Karlos
Karlos
6 years ago

What a great news !! a NF for France, can’t wait to see it. What’s is sure is we will not have a NF like the miserable one in 2014, now we have Edoardo Grassi as Head of Delegation, so he will select great songs and avoid jock acts.
And it will be produce by a big group: ITV France, so no worries for the staging and production, so with all of that, i sure France NF can be only great.

It’s like to have a mini-eurovision, and a good one for once, in France. So excited to know more.

Dave m
Dave m
6 years ago

Ha ha. Produced by ITV! Will it be hosted by ant and dec in French!

Richardinho
Richardinho
6 years ago

Hoping for a proper good old fashioned chanson entirely in French like ‘Messieurs les noyés de la Seine’

Charli Cheer Up
Charli Cheer Up
6 years ago

Their 2014 NF was just a big hot mess. Only three songs to choose from and low budget stages. Hope they learn from that.

Loin de La Bas
Loin de La Bas
6 years ago

People should stop thinking Eduardo Grassi would just make magic.
He can bring France to a ‘safe’ spot in the contest.
But again, if the network or whatever is behind the French artist can’t back them with a performance that can visually lift the song, then prepare for another “Eurovision Crime” for France.
Step up your game, France!

Ugnius
Ugnius
6 years ago

Wait, so a broadcaster which is responsible for French participation at ESC is France 2, but national selection is held by ITV, which in fact is English ? Are they somehow related ? Why can’t France 2 hold a selection by themselves ?

Richardinho
Richardinho
6 years ago
Reply to  Ugnius

They can and they will. But we live in a multinational world now where companies in one country can own companies in another. The British rail network for example!

Briekimchi
Briekimchi
6 years ago

Strange.
Just when it seems that France is finding its groove, they change their process? For what purpose?

Charli Cheer Up
Charli Cheer Up
6 years ago
Reply to  Briekimchi

An NF is a great platform for local artists to promote their music too. So good for the local music market I guess? 🙂

Darth Thulhu
Darth Thulhu
6 years ago

MOAR FINALZ!!1!

Justin K.
Justin K.
6 years ago

Looking back, Moustache was actually a really good song: it sounded current, the lyrics were actually rather smart, and Twin Twin were actually competent performers. Although the staging was a bit of a psychedelic mess, I don’t think staging really affects a song unless it’s borderline good/bad. Even looking back at the French submissions, it fits in a line of attempt after attempt to “revamp” their sound and try new things. With the songs being chosen by the new delegation, I wouldn’t be surprised if France gets a slick NF with musical quality rivaling Sweden. The even better thing is… Read more »

Denis
Denis
6 years ago

Yes, French national selections do have a bad track record but the difference this time is that we have a new HoD, Eduardo Grassi. He seems determent to return France to it’s former glory and even provide them with a win. So far he has proven he knows what he’s doing. If he is in charge of selecting all the songs for the selection the audience shouldn’t worry!

beccaboo1212@gmail.com
6 years ago

Bonjour, France! For those who hate ballads, let’s just hope for most of the French candidates have upbeat songs in the national selection. 😉

Daniel
Daniel
6 years ago

Bye France, if you know what is good for you, don’t let French people decide.

beccaboo1212@gmail.com
6 years ago
Reply to  Daniel

You can’t say goodbye to France just yet! 🙂

L'oiseau
L'oiseau
6 years ago
Reply to  Daniel

Yes, the Romanians should select the French song because they have so much more taste. They never won, but that doesn’t matter. As long it pretends to win people’s heart and agressively kiss anyone and then wining about the winner, everything will be wonderful.

Hada
Hada
6 years ago

I hope a national final gives France some fresh talent with new ideas. It sounds interesting.

Jo
Jo
6 years ago

I’m sure Mr Grassi won’t let the selection goes like it did in 2014.
A “Sanremo kind of selection” would be a good start for France.

beccaboo1212@gmail.com
6 years ago
Reply to  Jo

As long as the French hopefuls don’t get accompanied live orchestra. The participants should only sing to prerecorded instrumentation. Besides, did you know that live orchestras ruin clubbing anthems? 🙂

Jo
Jo
6 years ago

You can have a DJ in the live orchestra.
Also “Fatti Avanti Amore” in 2015 worked well in Sanremo, it scored 2nd place and won the OGAE second chance.

Besides the orchestra, I think a model of selection like Sanremo’s would work better in France than something like Melfest or Supernova.

James
James
6 years ago

Beccaboo, an alternative to a live orchestra is a live band. 😀

Luke
Luke
6 years ago

I love it as next could be the first in a long time were all big 5 countries have a national selection

Lucas Pinault
Lucas Pinault
6 years ago

Stop saying it is a bad idea, now the head of delegation is edouardo, so he knows what he is doing 🙂 haah he wont choose songs like 2014 in the contest , because he knows that it will fait ! and in all the case, the motivation of france 2 is way better than france 3 ! so you can’t compare 🙂

AngieP
AngieP
6 years ago

Will the national final choose a good entry for ESC 2018? I hope so! I’m not excited to be honest. Internal selection seemed to work for France the last 2 years. Usually when sth is successful, you don’t change it! The last time they held a national final, the result was very dissapointing. It will be interesting to see how this process will go, the artists, the songs. Maybe an established artist with a good song, or a new talent. The important thing is the song. If the song is good and the artist supports it, it’s fine. I really… Read more »

L'oiseau
L'oiseau
6 years ago

To make it very clear, I really would LOVE if France could win the contest anytime soon, as my nickname suggests… 😉

Daniel
Daniel
6 years ago
Reply to  L'oiseau

Then you must change your name from The bird, into Le Coq Gaulois (The Gallic Rooster). You’ve said you are from Belgium.

L'oiseau
L'oiseau
6 years ago
Reply to  Daniel

I see your ESC culture is not up to speed. Maybe you should go a bit beyond your yodel bubble, my Romanian friend, and dig a bit deeper in the ESC history to understand where my name comes from. I am sure you would find it a lot of fun. Anyway what made you think that I am French or Belgian?… If you remember so well every little detail I say here (which is a complement, as I see you value my opinions so much), you might as well read carefully what I say. I said I LIVE in Belgium.… Read more »

Daniel
Daniel
6 years ago
Reply to  L'oiseau

You love your country only when it wins, otherwise you choose Belgium or French old glories. Chameleon.

L'oiseau
L'oiseau
6 years ago
Reply to  Daniel

I am not hiding anything, man (or woman). You are hiding behind countless names, And maybe you should man up and use only one name so people could pick on you as you pick on me. But I see you are a coward and use all this twisted and creepy techniques. I have never hidden than I am from Portugal. And I am not the one pretending to be from France or the US just to say that you like your yodel thingy so people believe that so many nationalities like it. You think you are so sophisticated, but you… Read more »

L'oiseau
L'oiseau
6 years ago
Reply to  Daniel

If that would be true, it would still be better than being a racist and homophobe like you, Theo…

Ricb
Ricb
6 years ago

It is pretty clear that the new delegation wants France to win and it is great they’re trying so hard and putting so much effort. I just hope it wont turn out to be like in 2014 but hopefully it wont. Anyway it’s a bit risky interrupting the most recent procedure since it was so successful in the past two editions

Lew
Lew
6 years ago

So lucky that France are getting this, being in the UK we know the Broadcaster that has tons of money is ITV as they splash out on bit shows all the time! They should take eurovision over from BBC as they seem to be struggling financially for some time because they have lost touch with their viewers and what they want.

Bella
Bella
6 years ago

I hope Indila or Claudio Capeo will participate!They can win the contest.

Sashko
Sashko
6 years ago
Reply to  Bella

Indila said in the past that she will not do Eurovision.

Purple Mask
Purple Mask
6 years ago

ITV couldn’t get the Eurovision in the UK, so instead they are producing the national show in France! 😀
I wish them every success, and hope that the French public can take it relatively seriously.

Valentin
Valentin
6 years ago
Reply to  Purple Mask

So tired of that excuse *in our country we don’t take it seriously*. Really? Is this the defense mechanism when a country has no clue?

Purple Mask
Purple Mask
6 years ago
Reply to  Valentin

Yes. 😀

James
James
6 years ago
Reply to  Purple Mask

I believe, despite being owned by the same company, ITV Studios’ overseas subsidiaries, and ITV the UK broadcaster are operated separatedly.

Purple Mask
Purple Mask
6 years ago
Reply to  James

Oh. Are they? That’s confusing. Why keep the same name? :S

Ophelia
Ophelia
6 years ago

I remember that sad NF in Moldova this year. I didn’t knew if I should laugh or cry when I saw what songs they have. The jury wanted Discover Moldova, but the TELEVOTERS decided for SunStroke Project and they were top 3 overall. The poorest country in esc, the lousiest NF, and…top 3 in Kyiv.
Now…when it comes to countries like France and Germany, I don’t trust televoters.

Gavin
Gavin
6 years ago

I loves national final!

Celeste
Celeste
6 years ago

Yes !!! so happy we will have a ne NF!!! But peoples need to stop to worry and make comparison with our last 2 selections: its not the same channel, same group, but France 2 has more money, it’s a new team ( i sure Edoardo Grassi will choose competitive acts) and it’s made bu ITV studio France…Can’t wait !!!!

L'oiseau
L'oiseau
6 years ago
Reply to  Celeste

Good! 🙂 Looking very much forward, then! 😉

Polegend Godgarina
Polegend Godgarina
6 years ago

I hope it’s a reduced selection of songs (no more than 10). I wouldn’t want them to pull a Lithuania and accept 48 songs for the public to select the worst one.

Jo
Jo
6 years ago

Maybe 20 songs: Two semi-finals and 10 songs in the Grand Final.
Semi-finals are always exciting!!

L'oiseau
L'oiseau
6 years ago

I like the idea of having a national French final. That can be a lot of fun. However the track record for the songs selected that way is really bad… So, I am sceptical about that.

Catherine
Catherine
6 years ago

For France national final is a very bad idea. And back to bad results again.

Erasmus
Erasmus
6 years ago

OMG yaas a new NF!