The 20 finalists of the Festival Kanzunetta Indipendenza 2007 have been revelealed and many Malta Song For Europe stars have made it to the top 20. Festival Kanzunetta Indipendenza is a yearly festival to celebrate Malta's Independence. It showcases Maltese songs, from talented Maltese singers and songwriters. This year a total of 128 songs were submitted.

Last night saw a press conference hosted by Festival Kanzunetta Indipendenza 2007 commitee chairman Frederick Zammit. Five judges listened to 128 songs submitted by various Maltese singers and songwriters. They narrowed it down to 20 songs that will compete in Festival Kanzunetta Indipendenza 2007 final live on Maltese TV!

The complete list is here below: (song name in Italics, songwriters in the brackets)

1. Nghixu Mill-Gdid– Glen Vella & Pamela (Paul Giordmaina & Fleur Balzan)

2. U Nghixu Hajja Ahjar– Annabelle Debono & Cliff Zammit (Herbert Pace / Duncan Busuttil)

3.Dan Hu l-Mument– Priscilla & Ivan (Mark Spiteri Lucas/Joe Chircop)

4.Il-Messagg– Cliff Zammit & Annabelle Debono.(Sean Vella / Philip Vella)

5. Tarantella– Josef Tabone (Clinton Paul)

6. Arpegg – Claire Caruana (Augusto Cardinali / Giovann Attard)

7. Illum– Mauro & Diane (David Pisani / Rita Pace)

8. Iz-Zifna– Gillian Attard (Charles Muscat / Jonathan Bondin)

9. Eko Eko– Nadine Axisa (Renato Briffa / Alfred E. Baldacchino).

10. Ma’ Nofs Inhar– Donna Marie Ellul (Chan Vella / Paul Ellul)

11. Muza – Isabelle (Philip Vella / Keith Zammit)

12. L-Ahhar Bewsa– Romina Mamo (Augusto Cardinali & Clinton Paul)

13. Id F’Id– Priscilla (Priscilla Psaila / Giovann Attard)

14. Grajjiet Warda– Isabelle (Augusto Cardinali / Giovann Attard)

15. Minn Taht l-Ilsien– Ina Robinich (Glen Vella / Deo Grech)

16. Kronaka – Audrey Marie Bartolo (Mark Spiteri Lucas / Deo grech)

17. KC1FM– Klinsmann Coleiro (Mark Spiteri Lucas / Rita Pace)

18. Valuri 2007– Cliff Zammit & Annabelle Debono (Sean Vella / Philip Vella)

19. Nittama– Priscilla Psaila (David Pisani / Dorian Psaila)

20. Fil-Fond tal-Qalb– Eleanor Cassar (Paul Giordmaina / Fleur Balzan)

The rules of the competition state that a singer may only sing one song in the contest. So singers with more than 1 song in this 20, must change and are likely to either change singer, or withdraw completely.

There are many Eurovision related artists in the line upsuch a Pamela , Annabelle Debono, Mauro, and Klinsmann Coleiro. Isabelle, who has expressed her wish to enter MSFE again next year, has 2 songs in the Top 20. Eleanor Cassar will be remembered for her song Tell me from Malta Song for Europe 2006, Eleanor also won Festival Kanzunetta Indipendenza 2005.

Festival Kanzunetta Indipendenza is a big event in Malta, almost as big as Malta Song For Europe, and many Maltese singers enter both.