Preparations for the much awaited TV talent show l-iSfida are in full swing. Last Saturday applications were being accepted at Net TV. However, the producers have decided to extend the applications by a few more days for two reasons.

First of all, a number of students have called to say that they could not bring in their application because of exams. Therefore, those who have already collected an application are being given a further chance to return it by Friday 16 June. Applications must be returned to Net TV by hand from Monday to Friday during office hours.

Over 160 students collected an application from Net TV and to date 100 of them have returned with all the requested details and information. There are some very interesting statistics which the producers can reveal at this stage. The applicants are split as follows: 29 dancers (9 males & 20 females), 25 actors (4 males & 21 females) and 46 singers (12 males & 34 females). These figures clearly reveal that there is a strong imbalance in the male / female ratio – 1 male for every 3 females.

It is also for this reason, that is, to encourage more males to be part of l-iSfida that the producers have extended the deadline. Claudette Pace, producer and presenter, gave us her comment.

“We need only 30 participants and we could choose among those who applied, but we feel that the programme would not be balanced. We definitely need more male actors and dancers. It is very interesting to see that young ladies are taking the Arts so seriously. Some of the applicants are trained in all three fields. We are now seeing the fruit of years of schooling in this exciting sector. I know that there are some excellent male performers out there who need an extra push. Well, come on boys, this is your chance, take it!”

In the meantime Nivea Visage (VJ Salomone) were the first to announce that they will be one of the main sponsors for l-iSfida. XFm will also be supporting the programme with exciting projects to be announced soon!