SOCAN is proud to partner with the Francos de Montréal as the official presenter of the 2025 Prix Félix-Leclerc, which comes with a $10,000 cash prize. The winner of this year’s Prix Félix-Leclerc de la chanson, presented by SOCAN, will be announced during the 2025 edition of the Francos de Montréal, presented by Rogers in collaboration with Loto-Québec. This year’s 12 finalists are: Allô Fantôme, Grand Eugène, Jeanne Côté, Joe Rocca, Malko, Naïma Frank, Rau_Ze, Sandra Contour, thaïs, Valence, Velours Velours, and Virginie B.
Created in 1996 by the Félix Leclerc Foundation, in collaboration with the Francos de Montréal, the Prix Félix-Leclerc aims to inspire creativity among emerging singer-songwriters, and to support the production and promotion of Francophone music. In partnership with the Francofolies de La Rochelle – the 2025 edition of which will take place July 10 to 14 – the prize supports the development of up-and-coming artists from both Québec and France.
The recipient will be announced during the awards presentation at the 2025 Francos de Montréal. In addition to SOCAN’s $10,000 cash prize, a $1,500 prize from Groupe Éditorial Musinfo – the Québec publisher of part of Félix Leclerc’s catalogue – will also be awarded. The prize fosters cross-Atlantic visibility, with two winners, one from Québec and one from France, invited to perform in each other’s territory. In 2026, the French winner will be featured at the Francos de Montréal, while the Québec winner will take part in the Francofolies de La Rochelle. A travel grant for French artists and musicians will be provided by the Office franco-québécois pour la jeunesse.
Lou-Adriane Cassidy, 2024 Prix Félix-Leclerc winner
A Québec jury and a French jury – each composed of journalists and music industry representatives assembled by the respective festivals – will select the standout artists from Québec and France, based on the following criteria: originality and quality of lyrics and music; relevance of the creative approach; potential for national and international career development; and contribution to the evolution of Francophone music. This year’s Québec jury includes Lou-Adriane Cassidy (2024 Québec winner), Marc-André Pilon (Sirius XM), Olivier Boisvert-Magnen (CISM/P&M/ICI Musique), Nicolas Ouellet (ICI Musique), Philippe Papineau (Le Devoir/CIBL), and Marissa Groguhé (La Presse).
Several of the 12 finalists will be performing at theFrancos de Montréal: Jeanne Côté (opening for Alain Souchon – June 20, 8:00 p.m., Salle Wilfrid-Pelletier, Place des Arts); Joe Rocca (June 20, 10:30 p.m., Desjardins Stage); Malko (June 18, 8:00 p.m., Desjardins Stage); Naïma Frank (June 15, 5:00 p.m., Pub Brasseur de Montréal); thaïs (June 15, 9:30 p.m., Spotify Stage); Velours Velours (June 15, 7:00 p.m., Spotify Stage); and Virginie B (opening for Philippe Katerine – June 18, 8:00 p.m., MTELUS).
SOCAN joins the organizers of the Francos de Montréal in wishing the best of luck to all the finalists in the running this year! The Francos de Montréal will take place June 13-21, 2025, in the city’s Quartier des spectacles.