News Corp Australia has kicked off entries for the 2016 Cannes Young Lions competition, stepping up as the official representative of the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity down under.

Now in its eighth year, the competition searches for the best young talent in media and creative industries to represent Australia at the Festival of Creativity.

The award categories are print, media and cyber, sponsored by Archibald/Williams, UM and Carat, respectively.

News Corp Australia’s chief commercial officer Sharb Farjami said, “It never fails to impress the wealth of creative talent we have in this country and News Corp Australia’s Young Lions competition does a great job of unearthing it.

“This competition is the perfect platform for ambitious young professionals to showcase their skills to the world. The bar has been set for the 2016 winners to surpass.”

The 2015 Cannes Young Lions media winning duo, Jack Smyth from Mindshare Sydney and Chris Colter from UM and who went on to win Gold at Cannes last year, encouraged their peers to enter the competition.

“Last year’s Cannes Young Lions competition was by far the most intense yet rewarding experience of my life. For me, this is a must-enter competition for anyone serious about their career in media or advertising,” Colter said.

“No other offers the opportunity to prove your thinking on an international stage and represent your country, and I can honestly say there is no greater feeling than being given that chance and coming home with gold.”

Smyth added, “From the first brief to the celebratory drinks outside the Palais; every step of the way made a difference to my career. Thanks to the competition I had a front row seat for my dream job.

“Young Lions is without question the most prestigious and competitive award for young talent in Australia. Entering gives you access to senior people, your most impressive peers and a platform to showcase your very best thinking.”

To enter, participants must develop a creative solution or media strategy in response to a News Corp Australia brief.Entries will then be judged by a panel of industry specialists and finalists will compete in a second-round 24-hour brief provided by each of the category sponsors.

The competition, which closes on 7 April, is open to anyone under the age of 30, with the the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity held from 18-25 June, 2016.