The submission deadline for Söngvakeppnin 2020 passed at midnight on 17 October. Today, RÚV announced that they have received a total of 157 entries. This is 25 more than last year, which equals an increase of approximately 20%.

Selection process

In addition to the songs songwriters have submitted, RÚV also invited a few popular songwriters to write songs for the contest. A seven member selection committee will select the ten semi-finalists, a process that will start shortly. During this work the jury won’t know who has written the songs, nor who will perform them. The committee consists of representatives from RÚV, alongside songwriters and musicians. RÚV will announce the songs and songwriters in January.

Increase in interest

Spokesperson at RÚV, Björg Magnúsdóttir, says the broadcaster is registering greater interest in Söngvakeppnin compared to previous years. They see an increase of approximately 20% in submitted entries compared to last year. She says Hatari’s participation and good result is likely to have motivated songwriters across Iceland to want to take part. Another motivation might be Hatari’s post-Eurovision success.

Söngvakeppnin 2020

As in previous years, Iceland will select its representative through two semi-finals and a grand final. The semi-finals will take place on 8 and 15 February in Háskólabíó, while the final is in Laugardalshöll on February 29th. In the semi-finals all songs must be performed in Icelandic. In the final however, the artists have to perform the songs in the language they will perform them in at Eurovision, should they win.