The preparations for the 2012 edition of the annual musical showcase known as the 'Konkors Kanzunetta Indipendenza' began quite a couple of months ago when it had been announced that one of the finalists for the established category would ultimately be chosen through a talent show hosted through 'Sas-Sitta' a production by Spiteri Lucas Entertainment. The progress has been quite swift and the two finalists; Simone Gauci and Marie Claire Attard Bason will be fighting it out in a couple of weeks time with the hope of garnering access. Nevertheless, whilst this portion is concluding, the local music scene is buzzing as the rules and regulations for the upcoming edition were released on the internet yesterday.

Past winners of the competition include none other than Claudette Pace (1999), Ira Losco (2001), Lawrence Gray (2002), Eleanor Cassar (2005), Claudia Faniello (2006), Annabelle Debono (2009), Amber (2010) and Mike Spiteri (2011) amongst others. All of the mentioned including others have managed to make their mark on the industry through other competitions and music releases and the next artist to finish on top should have the same fate. The Committee decided that the early release of the regulations would give the songwriters along with the artists, more time to prepare their prospective entries with the hope that submissions increase and even improve in quality where possible. Skimming through the regulations, one would easily note that there have not been a lot of changes but some of the amendments have been introduced in order to improve the competition.

When it comes to the Teenage Category, the main change is surely in the way that the result is decided noting that from this year onwards, it will be 60% Jury and 40% Tele-Voting instead of the 50% on both counts. This is to point out the attributes of talent more than popularity, which sometimes is forgotten when it comes to such competitions. When it comes to the Established Category, there have been a number of small changes including the introduction of the possibility of having live backing vocals. The committee of the 'Konkors Kanzunetta Indipendenza' will be promoting this stance throughout the competition in fact, even adding the fact that despite the rule to have six (6) people on stage, the backing vocals will not be part of that number so that the performance can be as elaborated as possible within the context of the event itself.

The acts who eventually make it to the finals have to adhere to the competition regulations when it comes to applying hair and make-up noting that no other companies will be accepted backstage on the day apart from those appointed by Media.Link Communications whilst the people who will be on hand backstage with the artists have to be given a pass and have to be part of the performance only. One last point which the committee will be strictly adhering to in 2012 is that those participating in the 'Konkors Kanzunetta Indipendenza' cannot compete in other music competitions or talent shows between July and September of the same year. The fee of submitting a song has remained at the respectable sum of €50 and submissions will be accepted on Friday 4th May 2012 between 09:00 and 19:00 CET at the offices of Media.Link Communications.

The judging phases will be taking place on the two Saturdays following the submission. We would like to give everyone who would is considering submitting an entry a round of applause for keeping in mind that the local music scene should also be promoted within a national context of the Maltese language. ESCflashmalta would also like to thank Media.Link Communications and NET Television for the general involvement. Make sure to stay tuned for more information here and also through the official Facebook Page of the 'Konkors Kanzunetta Indipendenza' which will be updated with news, videos and other interesting items along the next couple of days, weeks and months. You can find the rules here, and the forms here for the Established Category and here for the Teenage Category as well as the main page of the website.

Source: Konkors Kanzunetta Indipendenza Committee 2012