* Wednesday, October 21. London, England, U.K.


The International Emma Awards is an independent awards competition open to all forms of interactive media whether published, commissioned or on-line. For information visit www.emmaawards.com

THE GREENBLATT JANOLLARI STUDIO, a Los Angeles-based production company, has signed ERIC FOGEL, creator of the MTV animated series “Celebrity Death Match” and “The Head,” to develop a concept for a new, prime-time, stop-motion animated series. The deal gives Fogel a flat six-figure sum for developing a series concept and pilot script, which, if adapted as a series, will be executive produced by Fogel, and targeted for fall 1999. No network is attached at this early stage.

* Saturday, October 17. Irvine, California, U.S.A.

* Wednesday, October 14 - Thursday, October 15. Pasadena, California, U.S.A.


The D.Film Festival, a showcase for independent digital media, will have two shows during the DV Expo: one on Wednesday at 12 p.m. and the other on Thursday at 7:15 p.m.. For information visit www.dfilm.com.


* Thursday, October 15 - Saturday, October 17. Santa Cruz, California, U.S.A.


The D.Film Festival will have a show at UC Santa Cruz’s Kresge Town Hall. For information visit www.dfilm.com or call (831) 459-2159.

Nickelodeon has signed a deal with Italian broadcaster Radio Televisione Italiana (RAI) to produce the first localized foreign-language version of “Blue’s Clues.” The show will premiere on the RAI UNO network in the second quarter of 1999. In Italy, RAI will localize the series by using the same blue-screen technology used on the original production to insert an Italian, live-action host into the existing computer animation. Nickelodeon plans to make similar sales to other countries, as this production concept was designed into the show from its inception.

* Saturday, October 17. Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.A.


The Museum of Fine Arts Boston presents the premiere screening of Mary Kocol’s independent animated film, “My Father’s Story.” The screening takes place at 2 p.m., and general admission is $7 ($6 for students and members). For information about the film and future screenings, visit www.ne-arts.net/mkocol.

* Thursday, October 15. North Hollywood, California, U.S.A.


The Women In Animation Writers’ Group presents “Collaborating With Musicians: From Scratch Tracks to Final Production,” a panel discussion featuring Alex Rannie from “The Simpsons” and Bambi Moe, vice president of music at Walt Disney TV Animation. Admission is $10 for members, $20 for non-members. The event takes place from 7-9 p.m. at Film Roman, 12020 Chandler Blvd., Suite 200, in North Hollywood. RSVP is essential. Call (818) 623-0020 or e-mail kellie-bea@women.in.animation.org.

Sheridan College is using Side Effects Software’s Houdini package in its one-year-old educational program aimed specifically at training technical directors (TDs). “The complexities involved in technical animation are much greater than can be taught in a single year, so I developed the technical director program as an optional second year to our Computer Animation program,” said Avrim Katzman, a former TD and current director of the Visualization Design Institute at Sheridan College.

* Tuesday, October 20. Valencia, California, U.S.A.


California Institute of the Arts’ (Cal Arts) Animation department presents a screening of abstract animated films by German artist, Bärbel Neubauer. The artist will be in attendance. A chronological selection of films will be screened, including her latest film, “Firehouse.” The screening will take place from 7 to 10 p.m. in the Bijou theater in the main Cal Arts building at 24700 McBean Parkway (McBean exit off 5 freeway). For information, call (805) 255-1050.

* Thursday, October 15 - Sunday, October 25. Chicago, Illinois, U.S.A.


The 15th Annual Chicago International Children's Film Festival (CICFF), presents over 150 films and videos for children from 30 countries in a juried competition. For information call (773) 281-9075 or e-mail kidsfest@facets.org.