The two semi-finals of Festivali i Këngës have now taken place, with 12 finalists selected from across both semi-finals. The winner of the contest will be decided on the 22nd of December.
The first semi-final of the Albanian selection took place on the 19th, with the first 10 artists performing their potential Eurovision entries. An expert jury selected the qualifiers from the show, however they were not announced until the end of the second semi-final.
Here is the full line-up from semi-final 1:
- Nadia & Genc Tukiçi – Ju Flet Tirana
- Sara Bajraktari – Ajër
- Devis Xherahu – Bisedoj Me Serenatën
- Kanita – Ankth
- Kamela Islamaj – Më Ngjyros
- Bojken Lako – Malaseen
- Elvana Gjata – Me Tana
- Aldo Bardhi – Melodi
- Renis Gjoka – Loja
- Albërie Hadërgjonaj – Ku Ta Gjej Dikë Ta Dua
The following night, the second semi-final took place, where the next 10 artists performed their entries. Here is the line-up:
- Kastro Zizo – Asaj
- Tiri Gjoci – Me Gotën Bosh
- Olta Boka – Botë Për Dy
- Era Rusi – Eja Merre
- Wendi Mancaku – Ende
- Robert Berisha – Ajo Nuk Është Unë
- Gena – Shqiponja e Lirë
- Arilena Ara – Shaj
- Eli Fara & Stresi – Bohem
- Valon Shehu – Kutia e Pandorës
The expert jury for the shows featured Swedish singer and tv producer Christer Björkman, Greek composer Dimitris Kontopoulos, Icelandic Head of Delegation Felix Bergsson, Albanian musicologist Mikaela Minga and Albanian poet Rita Petro.
A total of 12 qualifiers were chosen over the two semi-finals, and the finalists are:
- Arilena Ara – Shaj
- Elvana Gjata – Me Tana
- Bojken Lako – Malaseen
- Sara Bajraktari – Ajër
- Kamela Islamaj – Më Ngjyros
- Era Rusi – Eja Merre
- Valon Shehu – Kutia e Pandorës
- Tiri Gjoci – Me Gotën Bosh
- Robert Berisha – Ajo Nuk Është Unë
- Olta Boka – Botë Për Dy
- Albërie Hadërgjonaj – Ku Ta Gjej Dikë Ta Dua
- Gena – Shqiponja e Lirë
Listen to all the competing entries below: