The photo competition of International Talent Support is now in its fifth year and is becoming an important observatory to find talented, creative and highly prepared young photographers, able to shoot images that can easily find their place in the most important lifestyle and photography magazines.

There are no age restrictions, however, eligibility is restricted to college or university students in their final year of a photography course (BA or MA), who will graduate in 2009, graduates of photography programs, who received their diploma in 2004 or later or young talents not in possession of a diploma in photography but who work as photographers.

Contestants will be asked to produce a series of images on the theme “Originality.” 10 to 15 finalists will be selected from some of the most important photography schools on the planet and will come to Trieste, Italy on 9-11 July 2009 for the finals. Their photos will be displayed in a dedicated exhibition in the ITS#EIGHT location and viewed by all the guests of the event: international press, opinion leaders, professional photographers and many more. A renowned Photography Critic will be the artistic director and curator of the exhibition.

Prizes up for grabs are: the MINI Clubman Photo Award, 10.000 Euro plus a special project together with an internationally renowned photographer soon to be announced. School of Visual Arts is offering the SVA PhotoGlobal Award: the winner receives a scholarship to the one-year intensive PhotoGlobal photography course at School of Visual Arts in New York City. Pitti Immagine is offering the Pitti Immagine Photo Award: 2 winners will have the chance to create the advertising campaigns for the Womenswear Fairs that Pitti organises in Milan.

Deadline is 25 March 2009. Visit the site to learn more about guidelines, rules and formatting for entry.