Registrations are now officially open for young creatives wanting to boost their careers to the next level.

Among last year’s winners were graphic designers Tin&Ed, photographer Nirrimi Hakanson, the youngest winner yet at just 17 and Romance was Born for their sartorial skills.

Each year the Qantas Spirit of Youth Awards (SOYA) offer creatives across a field of disciplines – from film and animation, photography and visual arts through to fashion, industrial and object design, music and visual communication – the chance to ‘step up’.

SOYA is open to designers and artists aged 30 and under, and offers the chance to win $10,000 in cash and flights and a coveted mentorship with a leading professional in their field. 

The winners will be announced at the Awards Presentation at the MCA on 11 November 2010. 

Register online here. Entries close 9 August 2010.

This year’s mentors include:

Film and Animation
Jan Chapman, award-winning producer of The Piano, Lantana, and Bright Star. 


Music
Lee Groves, British Music Producer. His first Australian project, Bertie Blackman’s “Secrets and Lies”, won an ARIA in 2009.

Photography
Tony Mott, music photographer who has toured with The Rolling Stones and Bob Dylan to name but a few.

Visual Communications
Deanne Cheuk, New York-based art director, illustrator and artist. 


Industrial & Object Design
Marc Newson, designer.

Fashion
Nicky and Simone Zimmermann, fashion designers.

Visual Arts
Elizabeth Ann MacGregor, Director, MCA.