Press Release
Qantas today announced Peter Lowey as winner of the Animation Category in the 2013 Spirit of Youth Awards (SOYA 365), which recognises outstanding young Australian artists.
The Melbourne-based animator, director and filmmaker becomes one of only two recipients of the award. Many talented animation creators entered SOYA 365 for a chance to win the prestigious title as well as $5,000 in cash, $5,000 in Qantas flights and a rare 12-month mentorship opportunity to help drive their career.
Peter’s creations are influenced by early 1940-50s Disney animation and he has won several awards for his work, including the 2011 YouTube Annecy award and Best Australian Animated Short Film at the 2011 Melbourne International Animation Festival.
His short film on Napoleon Bonaparte, ‘The Little Dictator’ has screened on the Nickelodeon Channel and was a huge success on American television. Peter has also been commended for his work on Gotye’s music video ‘Save Me’, which became a viral sensation reaching over one million views online.
Gotye’s celebrated ‘Easy Way Out’ film clip was directed by Animation runner up Darcy Prendergast, and the musician himself was an entrant in the inaugural 2004 SOYA Awards.
“It’s fantastic to see talented animators Peter Lowey and Darcy Prendergast being recognised by the Qantas Spirit of Youth Awards. They are wonderful artists who display great imagination, new ideas and impressive technical mastery in their work,” Gotye said.
Peter Lowey said he was honoured to receive such a prestigious award.
“I spend hours of my personal time conceiving and animating projects with very ambitious goals, this is a dream come true” said Mr Lowey.
Animation Mentor Macro Marenghi selected Peter for his unique style which is very difficult to create.
“It takes a very special type of artist to do this fluid style of animation and they are few and far between.
“Peter creates animated motion that is far beyond my ability and I respect that enormously. I applaud him for keeping such a lost art alive,” said Mr Marenghi.
Darcy Prendergast was runner-up and People’s choice winner in 2012, and this year his fellow runner up is Luke Saunders .
Now in its ninth year, SOYA 365 rewards and encourages the work of a new generation of creative talent, giving young Australians the financial and professional support they need to share their work with the world.
The new SOYA 365 hub is open for submissions with new creative categories closing every month.