France: Preselection with 18 acts to pick from

From over 1500 applications, French broadcaster France 2 has selected 18 songs that will be performed in two semi finals in 2018. Out of these acts, France will select the representing 2018-act.

The names of the artists and their songs have not been released yet, but there will be several well known composers behind the songs. Maître Gims, Zazie and 2017-participant Alma are rumoured to have made the cut with songs by their hand.

A new format in France

In each semi final, 9 songs will take part. A French and an international jury will then select which acts will advance to the final. Amir (Eurovision 2016) is part of the French jury, together with Cristophe Willem and Isabelle Boulay. In the International jury we see Christer Björkman (HoD Sweden), Nicola Caligiore (HoD Italy) en Olga Salamakha (HoD Belarus). Caligiore and the French HoD Edoardo Grassi have become good friends during the last two Eurovision editions.

The French final will be broadcast live by France 2 and televoters will also have a 50 percent saying in who they want to be represented by in Lisbon.

UPDATE: Dates for France’s Eurovision selection:

France 2 has confirmed that the shows will start on January 13th at 20:55 CET. This evening will be the first of three shows. Most likely the other two will take place on Saturday January 20th and January 27th.