The search for Malta's representative at the Eurovision Song Contest in Malmö, Sweden next year is officially underway as PBS yesterday opened the call for entries.

Authors and composers do not need to be Maltese, however solo artists and lead performers have to be Maltese nationals, or hold dual citizenship in Malta.

The 24 songs which make it through the elimination phase and qualify to the televised stage of the competition will be announced in late 2012.

Artists who have represented Malta in the Eurovision Song Contest from 2008 to 2012 are not eligible to enter the 2013 selection.

The deadline for submitting entries is October 31.