Spanish broadcaster RTVE has confirmed that a total of 886 songs were submitted for Benidorm Fest 2022. They also teased that among the submissions are a wide array of genres and artists. A working group is currently sorting through and shortlisting the entries.
At a press conference earlier today, RTVE announced that over the course of the 43-day submissions window, 692 songs were submitted from the open selection, while 194 were submitted from direct invitations from the broadcaster.
As the shortlisting process is currently underway, no exact names have been confirmed. However, RTVE have teased that among the submissions are newcomers, international producers, writers of Billboard hits, Eurovision comebacks and indie musicians.
In addition, a wide array of genres are said to be represented, including mainstream pop, ballads, flamenco, rock, metal, folk, Latin, urban, trap and rap.
Further, there are entries in Spanish, English, Italian Catalán, Galician and Basque.
Benidorm Fest: What we know
In July, RTVE announced that a modernised successor of the Benidorm Song Festival will select their entry for Eurovision 2022. To be organised in collaboration with RTVE, the Generalitat Valenciana and the Benidorm City Council. The broadcaster recently signed a four-year agreement with the Generalitat Valenciana for Benidorm Fest to run until 2026.
Benidorm is a great launching pad for a message: Spanish music to Europe through Eurovision. We want it to be a real and participatory contest, open to all kinds of music. Especially young music.
José Manuel Pérez Tornero, President of RTVE
The President of RVTE reiterated the broadcaster’s commitment to the contest by describing the selection as a “launching pad to win in Italy. The efforts will be to launch the best candidacy.”
According to Eurovision.tv, a total of twelve acts will compete – six artists will compete in each of the semi-finals, with three progressing from each to the Grand Final.
The winner, who will receive the ticket to Eurovision, will be chosen by a 50/50 split of professional jury (60% national, 40% international) and the general public.
While exact dates have not been revealed, the final is expected to take place in late January.
Are you looking forward to Benidorm Fest? Let us know! Be sure to stay updated by following @ESCXTRA on Twitter, @escxtra on Instagram and liking our Facebook page for the latest updates! Also, be sure to follow us on Spotify and YouTube to see our reactions to the news in the run up to the 2022 national final season!
