RTVE have opened the submissions window for the Spanish national final Benidorm Fest 2025, where they will choose their Eurovision 2025 entry.
Submissions open until October
For the fourth edition of Benidorm Fest, which will take place in early 2025, submissions are open from 20th May 2024 at 10am until 10th October 2024 at 23:59. Applications are open for both individuals and groups.
Individuals must have Spanish citizenship or be a permanent resident of Spain, whereas groups must have at least 50% of their members meet the same condition. At least one songwriter for each entry must also meet the same conditions.
The song must contain lyrics, and lyrics to the song must be in one of the official languages of Spain. Some of the lyrics can be in other languages providing they do not comprise more than 40% of the song. The song must be between 2:30 and 3:00 minutes long.
Any artist participating must be at least 16 years old by 1st May 2025. Participants under 18 will require permission from a parent or guardian.
The full set of rules, and how to make an application, can be found on the RTVE website.
What do we know about Benidorm Fest 2025?
After the submission window closes in October, RTVE juries will pick 16 songs from the submissions pool to compete in the contest and 6 reserves. The final 16 will proceed to one of the two semi-finals, where four from each final will go to the grand final.
Voting will be 50% jury vote, 25% public televote and app voting, and 25% demoscopic jury.
Spain’s Eurovision Journey
Spain debuted at the Eurovision Song Contest in 1961 with Conchita Bautista’s “Estando Contigo”. The country earned its first win in 1968 with Massiel’s “La La La”, and won again in 1969 with Salome’s “Vivo Cantando” in an infamous four-way tie. Although they have yet to win again, Spain earned several 2nd place finishes, most famously with Mocedades’ “Eres tu” in 1973 and Anabel Conde’s “Vuelve conmigo” in 1996.
In 2024, Spain selected Nebulossa. As part of the Big 5, Nebulossa did not need to qualify to the Grand Final from the semi-finals. At the close of voting, their song “ZORRA” finished 22nd, with a total of 30 points. Of these, 19 points came from the jury, whilst 11 came from the televote.
Who do you want to see in Benidorm Fest 2025? Do you have a favourite you’d like to see return, or a new artist? As always, let us know what you think by commenting below. Also, be sure to follow ‘That Eurovision Site’ on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Threads and Bluesky for all your Eurovision news!
News source: RTVE
Photo Credit:
Giwrgos Oiko 
Samantha