French Song Contest 68

Slogan : "beyond borders"

Previous edition: French Song Contest #67
Following edition: French Song Contest #69

The sixty-eight edition of the French Song Contest will take place in  Baton Rouge, *Louisiana* after the victory of **Lady Gaga** with her french-english song *"Bad Romance"* last edition.

27 delegations decided to make to the Atlantic Ocean for the 1st edition of the year.

Among them,  Sanremo make their debut in the competition.

13 decided to sign their comeback, like  Rodez who is pre-qualified for the final thanks to ***Msfamily*** who won the Junior French Song Competition in December 2023.

2 semi-finals of 11 & 12 cities gonna determine the 14 cities who gonna join the TOP 3 composed by
 the host  Baton Rouge,  Quimper,  Bordeaux &  Rodez, winner of the JFSC03.

## Slogan & logo

After a visit one year ago during the American season,
the FSC is returning to Uncle Sam's lands for a standard season.

The artistic team decided to focus on the host country and its flag with 50 **stars**. Each city has its own star personalized in the colors of its city, but everyone comes *"beyond borders"* to celebrate the start of 2024 with music.

## Presenters

At the helm of this 68th edition is a duet 100% french-english speaking,... but also 2 well-known faces of the FSC Group :

* **Olivier Minne** : A famous figure in the French Song Contest, his name no longer needs to be introduced. He re-signs for this season after co-presenting the previous season alongside Laurence Boccolini.

* **Kelly Clarkson** : She is also a face that is not unknown to any member of the FSC Group. After co-presenting the American edition alongside Katy Perry and Barack Obama, Kelly Clarkson returns to the presentation of the French Song Contest. Known for her musical career, she is also not new to the audiovisual sector having ensured the presentation of different programs including her own talkshow which she has hosted since 2019.

## Staging

*"This stage, realised in close collaboration with the American broadcaster NBC and the design teams of the state of Louisiana, organizer of this show, is a continuation of the official artwork of this edition placed under the sign of the "stars & stripes" Americans. Called **“Shooting Stars”**, this scene transcribes a desire of the host city to offer a show inspired by American emblems, but also by the current winter season by offering a visual rendering, as its name indicates, based on six shooting stars mixed with a wall of twinkling lights reminiscent of winter garlands.*

*Although the stage does not have any screens, it reinforces its technological modernity by the fact that the stars are rotating, and that the stage is full of neon bars overlooking the audience on the roof of the stage, and advancing into the crowd on floor. A stage allowing all types of songs to shine (in the literal sense of the term), and this show to offer a wonderful lighting experience, in the continuity of the famous American decorations for the end of year celebrations!"* *- **Alvid**, stage director.*

## Semi-Finals

Color key
     **Qualified in Grand Final.**

     Last place.

### First Semi-Final

Out of the 11 participating cities in this semi-final, 7 cities qualify for the Grand Final.

 Quimper &  Rodez vote in this semi-final.

### Second Semi-Final

Out of the 12 participating cities in this semi-final, 7 cities qualify for the Grand Final.

 Baton Rouge &  Bordeaux vote in this semi-final.

## Grand Final

### Results

     **Winning city**

     Runner-up

     3rd place

     Dead last.

17 cities fought to win the 67th edition, the 14 qualified cities from the semis-finals & the TOP 3 ( Baton Rouge,  Quimper,  Bordeaux) &  Rodez

### Spokepersons

* Lyon : Caroline Garcia *(professional tennis player).*
* Calais : Camille Cerf *(Miss France 2015).*
* Marne-la-Vallée : La Reine des Neiges.
* Annecy : Frédérique Bel *(actress, tv host and mannequin).*
* Nîmes : Julien Doré *(singer).*
* Brest : Enora Malagré *(tv host and journalist).*
* Fribourg-en-Brisgau : Michael Schulte *(signer, musician, german representative at the Eurovison 2018).*
* Montpellier : Arthur Vincent *(professional rugby player).*
* Chartres : Cécile de Ménibus *(tv host and journalist).*
* Mauritius : Annega *(singer and previous act for Mauritius at the FSC).*
* Pontoise : Claire Keim *(actress).*
* Guadeloupe : Teddy Riner *(olympic judoka).*
* Lille : Steevy Boulay *(radio and television columnist).*
* Rennes : Yoann Gourcuf *(professional football player).*
* Rodez : Zaleen *(singer and previous act for Rodez at the FSC).*
* Bordeaux : Sophie Davant *(tv host).*
* Quimper : MANAU *(band rapper and previous act for Quimper at the FSC).*
* Baton Rouge : Michelle Obama *(former First Lady of the United States).*

## Marie Myriam Prizes

The Marie Myriam Prizes organised in 2023 by the supervisor and moderators of the French Song Contest honours songs of this contest's semifinal. The prizes are divided in four categories: the Charisma Prize, the Visual Prize, the Musical Prize and the FSC Group Prize.

The winners are revealed shortly after the Grand Final.

 **Visual Prize** |  Baton Rouge | Freedom Fry
 **Musical Prize** |  Montpellier | Clara Ysé
 **FSC Group Prize** |  Calais | Morgan Nagoya & La Graine