Edition 69

The sixty-ninth edition of the **Global Music Festival** took place in Monte-Carlo, Monaco, following Nilusi's victory at the sixty-eighth edition in Innsbruck, Austria with the song "À des vies de toi". It was the second win for Monaco and the second time that the country hosted the competition. Organised by the head of delegation and host broadcaster, the contest was held at the Opéra de Monte Carlo, and consisted of two semi-finals which were both launched on the 22 June 2020 and a grand final which took place from the 29 June 2020. The three shows were hosted by French actress Catherine Deneuve and previous participant in GMF - M. Pokora.

Fifty-nine countries participated in this edition of the contest. Unfortunately, we did see withdrawals for eight countries: Bulgaria, England, Israel, Kazakhstan, Serbia, Singapore, Slovenia and Timor-Leste. However, we did see the return of seven countries in their place. Cyprus and Malta both returned after having a one-edition break in edition 68. San Marino, Thailand and Turkey all returned after last participating in the "Random Three" thematic 65th edition - all having a three edition break. Also, Lithuania returned for the first time in four editions. However, most significantly, the Dominican Republic returned for the first time in twenty-five editions.

The power six for this edition were Monaco, Czech Republic, Scotland, Albania, Finland and Scotland - these were the delegations that placed in the top six from the previous edition. Their placement in the power six means that they received an automatic place to perform in the final of this edition, while also being allowed to vote in one of the semi-finals in this edition.

 Slogan
 Venue
 Presenter(s)
 Participants
 Winner

## Other Participants

* England
* Israel
* Kazakhstan
* Serbia
* Singapore
* Slovenia
* Timor-Leste

## Semi-Final Allocation Draw

The draw to determine the allocation of the participating countries into their respective semi-finals took place on the 17 June 2020. The fifty-three semi-finalists were allocated to five pots, based on the previous results of each participating country, calculated by the averages of the past results. Drawing from each pot helps to create an equal split of successful and not-so successful countries in each semi-final to give countries an equal chance of qualification. Ireland were not included in the pots because the head of delegation for this country is on the admin team and is in charge of the first semi-final; as a result, Ireland were automatically assigned to semi-final two.

Also, in the semi-final allocation draw the power six nations Monaco, Czech Republic, Scotland, Albania, Finland and Scotland were all drawn to vote in one of the respective semi-finals. The Czech Republic, Scotland and Albania were assigned to vote in the first semi-final and Monaco, Finland and Mexico were assigned to vote in the second semi-final.

## Semi Final One

 Czech Republic,  Scotland and  Albania from the power six were randomly allocated to vote in this semi-final, as well as, the countries who participated in this semi-final - as always countries not in this semi-final had the choice whether they wanted to vote in this semi-final or not.

## Semi Final Two

 Monaco,  Finland and  Mexico from the power six were randomly allocated to vote in this semi-final, as well as, the countries who participated in this semi-final - as always countries not in this semi-final had the choice whether they wanted to vote in this semi-final or not.  Ireland were automatically assigned to this semi-final because the head of delegation for Ireland is on the admin team and is the organiser for the second semi-final - this is done to allow the admins to have the uncertainty of their countries' result.

## Grand Final

Thirty countries participated in the final of this edition of the **Global Music Festival** - the power six and the twenty-four qualifiers from the two semi-finals. All participating countries were eligible to vote in the final; however, only the thirty finalists were obligated to vote! The votes of the non-qualifiers and non-participants were all combined in to the televote. However, only thirty non-qualifiers and non-participants could vote.