Bohbot Kids Network (BKN) is launching the animated series "Roswell Conspiracies--Aliens, Myths and Legends" for a Fall 1999 U.S. debut and BKN affiliate debut in 2000. It's unusual format will be comprised of 20 one-hour episodes that can also be split into 40 half-hour episodes. With a production budget of U.S. $850,000 per episode, the show is described as Bohbot's most ambitious children's series to date. The science-fiction show, based on the concept that a NATO Alliance was formed to seek out and destroy alien trespassers, is aimed at kids aged 7-13.

One year ago, CANAL + Distribution launched KIDS + to handle international sales of its more than 800 hours of children's programming. Kids + has since sold programming to Italy's Disney Channel Italy and RAI, Germany's Super RTL, Ireland's RTE, Switzerland's Television Suisse-Romande and France's France 3. Kids +'s new animation being launched at MIPCOM this year includes a feature-length version of "Trouble With Sophie," as well as new episodes of "Fennec" and "Blazing Dragons."

New York-based J.J. SEDELMAIER PRODUCTIONS created the animation in a two-spot package for Griffin Bacal's client Tonka and their new product, Cool Tools toys. The spots combine live-action with animation of drawings by designer Doug Fraser, animated by Vinnie Bell. J.J. Sedelmaier Productions also created animation in an ad for Hasbro/Parker Brothers' ad for "Family Game Night." The animation is done in a childlike style, directed by Sedelmaier and animated by Tony Eastman.

Boston-based VIEWPOINT STUDIOS and HECK YES! PRODUCTIONS have redesigned the main title animation package for the History Channel's show, "Modern Marvels." The 20-second open was created with Flame, compositing motion control photography with animation by Mike Leone of ViewPoint.

* Sunday, October 4. Long Beach, California, U.S.A.


California State University, Long Beach hosts an event launching the second annual "Women in the Realm of Computer Visual Arts, Effects, and Animation" web site (www.animation.org/animation/women/). Site creator Kellie-Bea Rainey will speak on the subject. The event is sponsored by Advanced Media Production and will be held from 4 - 7 p.m. The location is building UTC, room 127. The event is free, but RSVP is essential for admittance. For information and directions call (818) 980-5853 or e-mail kellie-bea@kellie-bea.com.

Listed below is a sampling of some of the top animation-related events taking place during MIPCOM Junior and MIPCOM this week in Cannes. Please note that some of these events are "invitation-only." Check MIPCOM catalogs for details and complete listings. Attention MIPCOM attendees! Don't forget to pick up AWN's first print edition of The Animation Flash, available free in MIPCOM showroom magazine stands.


* Saturday, October 3. 1:00 p.m. Lunch with Neptuno (Hotel Martinez Beach).


* Sunday, October 4.

London-based PASSION PICTURES produced ten seconds of computer animation in two different spots for food supplier, The Co-op. Depicting realistic chickens and a pig, the 3D CG sequences were directed by Chris Knott, using software such as Morph Gizmo for facial animation and the Lightwave plug-in, Steamer for atmospheric haze.

Broderbund Software has released the first of its "Rugrats" CD-Roms: "The Rugrats Movie Activity Challenge," "Rugrats Adventure Game" and "Rugrats Print Shop." Aimed at kids aged 6-12, the activity-based games include creative activities, problem-solving stories and story-based adventures.

Los Angeles-based Industrial Light & Magic Commercial Productions (a division of ILM parent, Lucas Digital) used animated visual effects in a commercial for First Union. Live actors were composited with a 3D CG environment featuring a floating piggy bank, animated money and other exaggerated elements of the finance world. The production team included director Steve Beck, visual effects supervisor George Murphy and CG lead Tim Stevenson.

The New York International Children's Film Festival (NYICFF) will take place February 4-19, 1999 in New York City. The festival will showcase 50-60 new works of all types, including animation. Festival organizers are seeking "creative, intelligent, passionate work that does not speak down to children," and "will consider difficult subject matter, controversial themes." There are no juried prizes, rather, audience members complete ballots to select audience awards in different age categories.