Chansons Sans Frontières

International Song-Writing Competition

Here’s your chance to participate in the 15th Edition of the International Song Writing Competition Chansons sans frontières and win exciting prizes!

Please read ALL the rules given below BEFORE working on your submission

FINAL VERSION of submission to be sent BEFORE Jan 24 (Sun)

  • The competition is NOT open to people who stay in France.
  • The competition is ONLY open to amateurs (people who are in any way connected to any record label and who have made any recording for commercial purposes at the regional, national, or international level are NOT allowed to participate.)
  • Participation is completely free.
  • The song written by you should be COMPLETELY IN FRENCH.
  • You will only be submitting the text (i.e. lyrics) of your song. Any accompanying music and/or illustrations are not needed and will not be taken into consideration.
  • Only individuals can participate – group submissions are NOT allowed.
  • Each individual participant is allowed to send only ONE entry. Hence, please ensure that you send the FINAL VERSION of the text of your song for the competition.
  • The theme of the current edition of the competition is Besoin d’air. Keep this theme in mind while writing your song. It is NOT mandatory to use the word(s) besoin d’air but your song should respect the overall “idea” of the theme. You are free to interpret the theme as per your discretion – envie de changer d’air, de sentir l’air du temps, de respirer un nouvel air, d’arrêter de vivre en apnée. Désir, soif d’air, besoin de retrouver sa respiration, son rythme.« Besoin d’air » can also be la sensation d’étouffer, l’urgence de reprendre son souffle. The theme « Besoin d’air » can also take you towards la vie au grand air, l’envie de nature, de sentir l’air pur, le vent qui souffle au dehors. Feel free to interpret the theme as you see fit for your song!
  • You are allowed to use irregular couplets (as many as you deem fit). However, do keep in mind the format of a song – avoid unnecessarily long texts which lack structure. A refrain is important in a song – don’t forget it! The ideal format for the song would be 3 couplets and a refrain.
  • Try to follow the same structure for all your couplets – keeping the same number of verses or syllables if possible.
  • Keep in mind that the text you’re writing is meant to be a song – pay special attention to the musicality of the words you’re choosing and the overall rhythm of your text.
  • Write about things that are close to your heart – things which touch you and things you would like to share! Use your feelings and experiences as inspiration.
  • Don’t forget to give a title to your song – a song’s title is its identity. A title summarizes or presents a song, is part of its originality, and is extremely important!
  • The song should NOT include any indication which would allow the jury to recognize its writer.
  • The song should be completely original – plagiarism in any form would result in immediate disqualification.
  • Candidates are not allowed to transpose / translate any existing texts (poems, songs etc.) into their text in French (in whole OR in part). Any such entries would be immediately disqualified.
  • To reiterate, people who stay in France are NOT allowed to participate. Your submission will be for one of the following categories:

Premier Prix (1 week trip to France – including international and national transport, visa, accommodation, and food): Candidate should be at least 20 years old at the time of submission of entry + their Mother Tongue is NOT French

Deuxième Prix (500 Euros): Candidate should be at least 20 years old at the time of submission of entry + their Mother Tongue is NOT French

Prix Dis-moi Dix mots (400 Euros + Video): Open to all candidates who include at least 6 of the following 10 words in their text: Aile, Allure, Buller, Chambre à air, Décoller, Éolien, Foehn, Fragrance, Insuffler, Vaporeux 

Prix Jeune Public (300 Euros): Candidate should be less than 20 years old at the time of submission of entry + their Mother Tongue is NOT French

Prix Français langue maternelle (150 Euros): Candidate should be at least 20 years old at the time of submission of entry + the Mother Tongue of at least one of their parents is French

Prix Jeune Public Français langue maternelle (100 Euros): Candidate should be less than 20 years old at the time of submission of entry + the Mother Tongue of at least one of their parents is French

Definition of Mother Tongue: The first language learnt by a person during early childhood i.e. the language in which the infant is talked to at home even before they learn to talk

  • To get your creative juices flowing, here is some resource material to inspire you:

– Culture et Musique – Musique et climat : l’air et le vent

– L’air dans l’histoire de l’art

– Informations

– Vidéo composition de l’air

  • By submitting your entry, you agree to abide by all the rules and regulations of the competition. A detailed copy of these rules in French is available on this link.
  • While submitting your entry, the Institution de référence will be Alliance Française de Bombay. Don’t forget to submit your entry BEFORE Jan 24, 2021 (Sun) on this link.
  • For any queries, please contact the Facebook Page of Chansons sans frontières directly.
  • The winning texts from previous editions of the competition can be found here.

A video of Gwladys Lebouda – the winner of the 9th Edition of Chansons sans frontières and currently a TV journalist in Cameroon

Organised by Association Fusaca and Accord Production with the patronage of the Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie