The Maltese national broadcaster received 141 entries for the Malta Eurovision festival 2011. The selection which will commence soon will end in February when the country selects its song to compete in the next Eurovision Song Contest to be held in Düsseldorf, Germany.

Yesterday PBS started receiving entries for the next Maltese selection. Though it is not the highest number of songs ever submitted in the selection, the national television station received 18 songs more than last year. Artists could submit more than one song and both local and foreign writers are taking part in the selection.

Following the submission process all songs submitted will be judged by a panel of experts appointed by the national broadcaster. The first judging phase will take place behind closed doors and the jury will listen to the songs on CD. A number of songs will make it through phase one and will be performed in front of a jury in phase two. In this phase all artists will perform the songs live behind closed doors.

23 songs will qualify to the final phase (part 1). Last year’s winner of L-Isfida show will be able to join the other artists to compete in a special televised show. A mixture of a professional jury and public vote will select 16 finalists. The final is expected to take place in February at the Malta Fairs & Convention Centre.

Last year Malta was represented by Thea Garrett who failed to qualify to the final with her song My Dream.