TIRANA, Dec. 8 – “Der Albaner” movie star Nik Xhelilaj has been selected as the key host of the year-end Festivali i Kenges song contest, which will pick the Albanian representative for the 2012 Eurovision. Xhelilaj will also be accompanied by Hygerta Sako and Enkelejda Zeko, two TV hosts in public broadcaster RTSH, the organizer of this event.
Some 28 songs have been short-listed to participate in the 50th anniversary of the Festivali i Kenges which will be held for four consecutive evenings from December 26 to 29.
Several big names such as Frederik Ndoci, Elton Deda, Mariza Ikonomi, and the Prifti brothers will compete along with other young successful artists in the festival.
The 50th anniversary of Festivali i K쯧쳠will be celebrated with an elaborate live show, spanning four nights in late December. For this special 50th edition, organizers have planned a special night only with the best songs from the 49 past editions.
TV host Adi Krasta and contemporary folk singer Eda Zara had been previously rumored as the hosts of this edition, but withdrew for unknown reasons.
Albania joined the Eurovision Song Contest in 2004 and achieved its only top ten placing in a final to date that year. The country was less successful since finishing 16th in 2005 and being eliminated in the 2006 and 2007 semi finals. Since then, Albania has always made it to the final finishing 16th twice and 17th once.
Nik Xhelilaj, a Shooting Star
In December 2010, Albania’s Nik Xhelilaj was selected as one of Europe’s top ten acting talents who participated in the 14th Shooting Stars showcase in February at the 2011 Berlin International Film Festival for his starring role in “The Albanian.” Selected from a ‘longlist’ of 25 candidates proposed by member organizations of European Film Promotion (EFP), the ten young actors were chosen by a jury of established film industry professionals for their outstanding work in feature films. The highlight of the event was the presentation of these exceptional actors on the main stage of the Berlinale Palast on 14th February where they were awarded the Shooting Stars Award. Shooting Stars participants serve as ambassadors for European cinema, demonstrating their talents to international audiences. Starting with the Berlinale they are introduced at festivals and attend workshops around the world.
In “Der Albaner” (The Albanian), a 2010 German-Albanian production, “Xhelilaj brings both intensity and tenderness to his portrayal of the illegal immigrant that vests the role with a surprising complexity. A fresh and promising discovery,” says the Shooting Stars jury about Nik Xhelilaj’s starring role.
The movie which earned Xhelilaj international acclaim has been awarded with many prizes in different international film festivals.
In 2010, the German-Albanian co-production earned Xhelilaj the Silver George for ‘Best Actor’ at the 32nd Moscow International Film Festival as well as the ‘Best Actor’ awards at the 2nd PriFilmFest in Prishtina, Kosovo and the 47th International Antalya Golden Orange Film Festival.
