The show was presented by Simona Ventura, supported by Paola Cortellesi, Gene Gnocchi and Maurizio Crozza.
Composer Tony Renis (who had won the festival in 1963) served as the artistic director.
[1] For the first time since 1984, this edition did not feature a division of the singers in two sections (Big Artists and Newcomers), but a single competition, which was won by Marco Masini with the song "L'uomo volante".
Mario Venuti won the Critics Award with the song "Crudele".
[1] In addition to musical guests, the guests of this edition also included Dustin Hoffman, Cirque du Soleil, Stefania Sandrelli, Rupert Everett, Raoul Bova, Roberto Bolle.