With the closing of the expert screening session on July 29, 2008, 38 folkloric performing troupes from home and abroad were admitted to the next stage, where after the final appreciation of the programs and lyrics of each of the presenting group by the Artistic Committee, the organizer will enter into discussing contract with each candidate, with the official invitations to be issued right afterwards.

It is strongly suggested that each admitted candidate be prompt to provide all information as required in the regulation of the festival (can be downloaded online), and the program notes, program list with lyrics in particular. We earnestly hope that by supplying this information, it will facilitate our audiences, primarily local Chinese residents and visitors, to understand better and enjoy the artistry of the folk songs brought by foreign artists.

List of candidates are (according to the order of application):

Beijing
Guizhou
Yun’nan
Shan’xi
Qinghai
Inner Mongolia
Jiangsu
Jiangxi
Si’chuan 
Gansu
Guangxi
Taipei Philharmonic Chorus
Kiran Chandra Roy (Bangladesh)
Farabi Music School (Indonesia)
Bhasckar's Art Academy (Singapore)
Central Palace of Culture (Mongolia)
Madrigal Singers (Philippine)
The National Changgeuk Company of Korea (Korea)
Central Song and Dance Troupe (Vietnam)
Boris Malkovsky (Israel)
Te Manawa Maurea (New Zealand)
Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu (Australia)
Umoja (South Africa)
Black Voices (UK)
Unni Lovlid (Norway)
Kammerchor Wernigerode (Germany)
Orfeon Chamber Choir (Turkey)
Aidija Choir (Lithuania)
Pearls of Odessa (Ukraine)
Ansamblul Artistic "Ciocarlia" (Romania)
Cosmic Voices of Bulgaria (Bulgaria)
Marta Sebestyen (Hungary)
Chéjere (Mexico) 
Sones de Mexico Ensemble (Mexico) 
Angel Parra Quartet (Chile) 
Tierra Lejana (Chile)
Puka Soncco (Peru)       
Folk Ensemble Jasenka (Czech)