In a key pre-selection moment for Italy’s Eurovision hopes, the latest edition of the Sanremo Giovani competition has unveiled the 24 emerging artists who will vie for two coveted slots in the “Newcomers” section of this February’s Festival di Sanremo. Meanwhile, the companion competition Area Sanremo is gearing up to select the remaining two entrants.
According to the official rules published by RAI, the Newcomers selection for 2025 will be conducted via two separate paths: Sanremo Giovani and Area Sanremo.
The Sanremo Giovani format
The Sanremo Giovani competition will run between 11 November and 14 December 2025, and comprises:
- Four weekly “challenge” evenings (11, 18, 25 November and 2 December) broadcast on Rai 2, each featuring six contestants, three of whom will advance based on a musical‐committee vote.
- A semi-final on 9 December, where twelve remaining acts are whittled to six.
- A final on 14 December (the “Sarà Sanremo” show) at the Casino di Sanremo, where the six finalists compete for the two Newcomer spots.
Submissions for Sanremo Giovani ran from 10 September to 15 October 2025, resulting in 524 act applications, 34 of which passed an audition in Rome to join the live-selection phase.
The 24 selected artists and songs
The list of 24 advancing acts – including familiar names from talent shows and the Italian indie scene – was published on 29 October.
Amsi — “Pizza americana.” Emerging Italian pop act selected to the televised stage from the Rome auditions.
Angelica Bove — “Mattone.” Rome-born singer (class of 2003) who broke out posting vocal covers.
Antonia — “Luoghi perduti.” Antonia Nocca (b. 2005, Naples), singer who reached the Amici 24 final and released the EP Relax (FIMI peak #37).
Cainero — “Nuntannamurà.” Newcomer presenting a Neapolitan-language entry.
Caro Wow — “Cupido.” Carolina Spreti (b. 1999), indie-pop singer using the moniker Caro Wow.
cmqmartina — “Radio Erotika.” Martina Sironi (b. 1999, Monza), electro-pop singer-songwriter known from X Factor Italia 2020.
Deddè — “Ddoje criature.” Newcomer presenting in Neapolitan.
Disco Club Paradiso — “Mademoiselle.” Emilia-Romagna dance/indie-pop band fronted by Leonardo Bergonzini; active since the late 2010s.
Eyeline — “Finché dura.” Ligurian singer Elena Passalacqua (Rapallo).
Jeson — “Inizialmente tu.” Rome-based artist and songwriter.
Joseph — “Fenomenale.” Giuseppe Marra (Avellino/Montella roots), signed to Island/Universal for this single.
La Messa — “Maria.” Newcomer.
Lea Gavino — “Amico lontano.” Actress/singer with LaTarma.
Maddalena — “Senti menti.” Newcomer.
Marco Millie — “Lonely Boy.” Emerging pop artist.
Mimì — “Sottovoce.” Newcomer.
Nicolò Filippucci — “Laguna.” Perugia-born singer-songwriter (b. 2006), known from Amici 24; studied guitar early and sang in the Conservatorio Morlacchi choir.
Occhi — “Ullallà.” Lombardy act Occhi (management: Takeaway Studios).
Petit — “Un bel casino.” Salvatore Moccia (b. 2005, Rome), singer-songwriter from Amici; signed with Warner/ADA/21co.
Principe — “Mon amour.” Massimiliano Cassaro (Turin), veteran Italian rapper active since the 1990s.
Renato D’Amico — “Bacio piccolino.” Sicilian singer-songwriter; song conceived in Sicily two years ago.
Seltsam — “Scusa mamma.” Lorenzo Giovanniello (b. 2001, Rome), indie-pop cantautore who debuted with “Lenzuola” (2020).
Senza Cri — “Spiagge.” Cristina Carella (Brindisi, b. 2000), known from Amici 24.
Soap — “Buona vita.” Soap is Sophie Ottone, Italo-French-Algerian artist raised in Latina.
Tenth Sky — “Gimme.” Newcomer.
Welo — “Emigrato.” Manuel Mariano (b. 1999, Lecce), rapper/singer from Salento.
Xhovana — “Ego.” Singer of Albanian origin (born in Shkodër; grew up in Milan) working in electro-pop.
The listing signals an eclectic and linguistically adventurous new-wave cohort: Neapolitan dialect (Cainero, Deddè), French-language songs (Disco Club Paradiso, Principe), and even multilingual titles. That diversity may speak to the festival’s evolving embrace of non‐standard Italian styles.
Area Sanremo: the second path
Meanwhile, Area Sanremo 2025’s rules are scheduled to go live in late October, with the Municipality of Sanremo and the Sanremo Symphonic Orchestra Foundation again overseeing selection of the final two Newcomer slots.
Why it matters for Eurovision
Italy’s national broadcaster uses the Festival di Sanremo winner (or at least one of its winners) as its entry into the Eurovision Song Contest. In this context, the Newcomers path is a vital feeder into the Big Artists section — and therefore into possible Eurovision representation. With Sanremo’s role increasingly tied to Italy’s Eurovision strategy, these 24 acts may not only represent fresh Italian talent but also potential future international exposure.
What to watch
- Which two acts emerge from the Sanremo Giovani final on 14 December? Their songs (and staging) will likely hint at Italy’s evolving tastes.
- How do the dialect and international‐language entries fare against more traditional Italian-language pop songs?
- Will any of the Newcomers display Eurovision-ready features: strong hook, visual impact, cross-border appeal?
- What comes out of Area Sanremo’s separate selection — and will any surprise act challenge the Sanremo Giovani cohort?
For Eurovision watchers, the announcement of the 24 acts is just the opening. The next six weeks (through the live shows) will reveal not only who makes it to Sanremo 2025’s “Nuove Proposte” section, but potentially who might carry Italy’s colours to the Eurovision stage.
