Song for Europe Festival to welcome foreign composers and authors

Foreign composers and authors can finally take part in this year’s Malta festival leading to the Eurovision, as fresh proposals by the Public Broadcasting Services focus on improving the level of songs submitted.

PBS has embarked on a drive to reverse Malta’s recent losing trend and, led by its new CEO Anton Attard, is proposing changes to the regulations he hopes will reap a refreshing, high-quality product.

Mr Attard has started off by roping in former Maltasong chairman Norman Hamilton as his main consultant on Eurovision matters and yesterday organised a seminar for those who were, or still are, involved in the area to give their contribution before the regulations are finalised next week.

PBS chairman Joseph Mizzi, who opened the debate, said the time had come to take decisions and if these did not work have the courage to change.

One of the proposals allows a foreign composer and author to submit one song while their Maltese counterparts get to submit four songs.

The idea is to open up the competition from its present insularity while encouraging composers and authors to take the plunge and be more creative in presenting different songs.

Mr Attard said the present situation, where 52 per cent of all 123 entries for 2010’s festival were submitted by the same five composers – one composer alone submitted 32 songs – had to change.

“Instead of moving forward, the contest had become more inward-looking,” he added.

Foreign participation has been a sticking point for years. In 2005, the Union of Maltese Composers and Authors (UKAM) threatened to boycott the contest if foreign composers and authors were allowed to compete in the Maltese festival. A compromise was later found thanks to a reciprocity clause through which composers from countries that allowed Maltese in their contest were able to take part.

This contentious issue erupted again last November when former Maltasong chairman Grace Borg asked for an injunction to stop PBS from starting the festival’s selection process because it was discriminatory to exclude foreign composers. Her request had been thrown out by the court.

Ms Borg yesterday welcomed the new proposal but still felt the move was somewhat discriminatory because foreign composers were only allowed to submit one song.

On the other hand, UKAM representative Carm Fenech said: “We have always protested against foreign composers. We are still against. If this proposal passes then we will insist the festival is opened up completely to allow foreign singers.”

The issue was debated at length until Mr Attard pointed out that PBS was not saying this proposal was the perfect formula.

“We have opened the window slightly to allow foreign composers while still offering a degree of protection to Maltese. Let’s move slowly, not rush out and open it (the festival) all up immediately,” he said.

The issue of lobbying during the Eurovision was also fiercely discussed with some arguing that everything in their power should be done to secure votes from other countries. Others proposed nurturing international contacts well in advance through other song contests.

Fostering a rapport with the competing countries’ television commentators was also encouraged because these could swing the audience’s sympathies either way.

Mr Attard said this would not be the last of such seminars, adding everyone’s experience was welcome, while keeping the festival in perspective.

Proposed regulations

• A foreign composer and author can submit only one song for the festival while Maltese can submit up to four entries. Each composition must be written for a different singer.

• One singer can interpret two songs and a different style for each entry is being encouraged.

• The singer has to be Maltese or possess dual citizenship. In the case of multiple artistes, the lead has to be Maltese.

• Backing vocalists will always sing live, as opposed to playback, to come in line with final Eurovision regulations.

• The same backing vocals, individually or collectively, can be used in different compositions. PBS will have a pool of backing vocalists at the artistes’ disposal.

• The number of people on stage should never exceed six.

• First phase of the selection process will be decided on the CD submitted.

• During the second phase all selected songs will be sung live, including backing vocals, before the jury.

• Forty-eight songs with different singers will qualify to the third phase, though this number may be reconsidered.

• In phase three, the songs may be televised in a recorded or live television show.

• There will be 16 songs competing in the final.

• Judging during the first three phases will be based on a local and foreign expert jury.

• During the festival, the winning song will be chosen through 60 per cent jury and 40 per cent televoting.

• The idea is to call the contest Malta Eurovision Festival 2011 and it is scheduled to take place in the first weeks of February.