Plans for Melfest 2020 are now in full swing. As today, SVT has revealed their core team for next year’s national selection. And the team is most certainly an experienced one!
Aiming to create “an entertaining show”
The team consists of (from left to right in the photo) Christer Björkman, Anette Helenius, Christel Tholse Willers and Karin Gunnarsson. Anette, the Project Manager of Melfest, states that the team are able to gather up common experiences that help them create “magical television moments” in next year’s national selection.
Melodifestivalen and The Eurovision Song Contest are two related productions where old tradition shares and borrows working methods and program ideas from each other. With Executive Producer Christel Tholse Willers, Senior Producer Christer Bjorkman and Competition Producer Karin Gunnarsson, we gather common experiences in a Core Team. It creates a solid foundation for Melodifestivalen to test new ideas and renew the program.
We look forward to working on next year’s magical television moments in an entertaining show filled with songs, artists and stories for all tastes.
Anette Helenius, Project Manager of Melodifestivalen 2020
Christel Tholse Willers has been in a similar role to what Anette will be taking on next year. She was the head of Melodifestivalen back in 2015 which saw Måns Zelmerlöw win not only the national selection’s trophy, but the Eurovision trophy as well. Furthermore, she was also responsible for the creation of the heart app vote which determines the popularity of a song among the audience.
Melodifestivalen is an irresistible assignment and it will be more fun than ever to work with competent and lovely colleagues. In addition, there are creative forces in the form of a team that is passionate about creating entertainment using the power of the music. I see that together we will build a series of programs that offer surprises, excitement and joy. For me, Melodifestivalen is the light in the dark and contributes to the grey time in February and March, feeling a little more colourful.
Christel Tholse Willers, Executive Producer of Melodifestivalen 2020
Also no stranger to Melfest is Karin Gunnarsson, who was worked for the show since 2017.
Getting into the job as a competition producer for Melodifestivalen 2020, together with these three qualified colleagues, feels fantastic! Together with the rest of our editorial staff, we will manage and refine the format for Melodifestivalen to continue to touch, maintain and engage the viewers.
Karin Gunnarsson, Competition Producer for Melodifestivalen 2020
And of course, it’s not Melodifestivalen, or Eurovision for that matter, if Christer Björkman isn’t involved. Bjorkman fully supports his colleagues for this upcoming project, as he takes charge of the entire production for the selection.
What a Dream Team! Anette safe at the helm, Christel back with her strong leadership and high creative ambitions and Karin who gets to fully test her wings this year. It feels magical to be part of this passionate quartet.
Christer Bjorkman, Senior Producer for Melodifestivalen 2020
Sweden in Eurovision 2019
Sweden will be hoping to carry on their run of good form after this year’s result. John Lundvik represented the country with his song “Too Late For Love”. John ended up finishing 5th overall with 334 points.
Is this indeed the “dream team” that Christer says it is? Are you looking forward to Melfest 2020? Let us know in the comments or via our social media pages @ESCXTRA!
