Only one day after the UK announced the resurrection of a national selection, France has taken its turn to announce its plans for Eurovision 2016 in Stockholm.
Unlike the BBC, France 2 is sticking with an internal selection and today issued a call for Francophone solo singers, groups, authors and composers to submit their applications.
Strangely, the French broadcaster is not allowing people over 50 to take part in the selection process. No reason was given. Blatant ageism aside, we suspect it has to do with memories of how a lot of people (especially the French) poked fun of Lisa Angell for her age. She was 46 at the time of the contest. Those critics called for a younger singer with a younger sound.
Another interesting point is that the broadcaster is welcoming singers of all nationalities (and religions), who are able to promote their song in French AND English.
Concerning the eligibility of songs, the same rules dictated by the EBU apply with a few additions. The song that will represent France in Stockholm can be sung entirely in French or be up to 20% in a foreign language.
A few weeks ago, we reported that France 2 hopes to find a famous artist, and potentially field a song that has already become a hit. But now it seems they have changed their minds and seek an unpublished song. The public won’t have a say on the song: A committee from France Télévisions will have the final decision.
France 2 also reserves the right to decide on the artistic direction and visuals of the campaign — from the song’s creation to the promotional materials through to the Eurovision performance. We should note that all costs related to the promotion of the song will have to be handled by the record company in charge of the artist. Even so, France 2 wishes to be fully involved in all the decisions concerning the release and the marketing of the song.
Finally, France 2 promises that it will strive to promote the song in its television programs in the run up to Eurovision. The deadline to submit an application is 31 October.
NEW HEAD OF DELEGATION FOR FRANCE
In other news, Frédéric Valencak has left his position as the French Head of Delegation, a position that he has held since 2013. We always enjoyed working with him and wish him the very best.
In his place comes Edoardo Grassi, who is clearly very enthusiastic about his new gig. Hopefully that enthusiasm will help France in the contest!
Extremely happy to become the new Head of French delegation of Eurovison Song Contest thank you @NathalieANDREF2 @antoineboilley @France2tv
— Edoardo Grassi (@EdwardoGrassi) September 24, 2015
So, what do you think of France’s selection process? Do you think France 2 should give more power to the public? Let us know in the comments section below!
I am surprised any artist would want to enter under these conditions. It must deter many. I remember an interview with Molly and she said how good it was that the BBC gave her total freedom. What true artist wants to be controlled by executives?
I also think their ageism is disgusting. The best song should be chosen & it doesn’t matter how old the singer is.
But Buranovskiye Babushki, where the oldest was 85 years in 2012, came 2nd in and Iris, who was 17 back then came in 17th place in the 1st semifinal the same year
Just send Christine and The Queens and everything will be fine.
“That’s not too unusual. Guy Sebastian’s record company paid for everything to do with his entry.”
It’s not the record company paying that’s the issue. It’s the record company paying while surrendering all creative and promotional control. Guy Sebastian’s record company certainly didn’t do THAT!
France lost the plot many years…hope they start sending good songs
“To promote their song in french and english”… Please, keep your song entirely in french…
France is a hateful ageist country. Boo!
@MalteseTimpana: In the case of Lisa Angell, I must agree with you. Maybe they need to go the Melodifestivalen/Norsk MGP route.
If it’s open for all French-speaking, why not choose a Canadian artist?
France did great before with Canadian singers, as has indeed other countries. Plus they sound contemporary, which is something many has been looking for with French artists. Quebec and Canada have many good Francophone artists, they could give the French a boost
That age rule ugh, how ignorant. Do they have in their minds that Lisa had the best song France has ever sent to ESC?
Just because they’re calling for songs, doesn’t mean that they still haven’t kept their options open of selecting a famous singer with a hit. That would still technically be an internal selection – my guess is that this plan is being used as a backup, should every famous artist that has been asked to take part declines.
“France 2 also reserves the right to decide on the artistic direction and visuals of the campaign — from the song’s creation to the promotional materials through to the Eurovision performance. We should note that all costs related to the promotion of the song will have to be handled by the record company in charge of the artist. Even so, France 2 wishes to be fully involved in all the decisions concerning the release and the marketing of the song.” This paragraph. Right here. Zowie. I have to assume that either this is being mistranslated somewhere, or there are behind-the-scenes… Read more »
Yes c’mon France. Time to pick a winner!!!
I prefer internal selection (and negotiating) with good artists over public choosing from mediocre amateur songs… Unless you let the audience choose between a few big artists with great songs. Thing is audiences tend to vote for names instead of songs (see MF)
Please Hurry, Patricia Kaas, 2016 is the last year you are under 50!
To be honest, i think its a shame to put an age limit. Pension age is raised, so why did they lower the entrants maximum age. BTW Lisa Angell’s performance was one of the best in 2015 in my humble opinion. Too bad audience and especially experts(!) failed to notice.
Well Lisa Angel was not too old..
Patricia Kaas was also over 40 but she did great in the Vision of 2009..
I do not mean 4 France to get a too old senior singer to the Vision necessarily but this is kinda racist 4 all the singers that are either 50-51-53-55-58 or 59 to not be eligible to enter in the contest as they are still young enough to compete..
There are living true legends that are even over 60 or 65 and they can still damn sing & have GreAtY energy on their live performings..
You may recall that the decision to send Lisa Angell with ‘N’oubliez Pas’ was made by only one person: Natalie Andre, the director of the entertainment division of France 2. She was quoted saying she went through hundreds of songs from all over France without any preconceived judgement and once she heard the song and realized it was written by Robert Goldman, the brother of Jean-Jacques Goldman, she knew she struck gold… If there’s anything France 2 should have learnt from 2015 is that any internal selection must never be made by one’s whim ever again! It’s unheard of that… Read more »
France and the UK to go from underdogs to topdogs next year! So now people can stop b****ing about them, they have been barking up the wrong tree but all that has been wronged will apparently become right. 🙂
I really want France to do well next year, they always send quite good songs but never get the result they deserve.