New Line Cinema has signed an extensive deal with fast-food giant Burger King to promote THE LORD OF THE RINGS trilogy. The agreement represents the single largest promotional arrangement for New Line and one of the largest programs ever launched by Burger King. The program will span more than 10,000 restaurants worldwide and will run longer than the first film runs in theaters.

On June 1, 2001, Hank Ketchum, creator of the DENNIS THE MENACE comic strip, died at his Pebble Beach, California home. He was 81 years old, and had suffered from heart disease and cancer, according to his publicist, Linda Dozoretz. Ketcham began his famous comic strip in 1951, drawing inspiration from his 4 year-old son. This past March marked his 50th year of publication, with the strip running in 1,000 newspapers, 48 countries and 19 languages. A television show based on the strip ran on CBS from 1959 to 1963. Ketcham was born March 14, 1920, in Seattle, Washington.

* Thursday, June 14, 2001, Santa Monica, California, U.S.A.



The Art Institute of Los Angeles is holding an exhibition of its winter 2001 graduate portfolios. Artwork from approximately 40 soon-to-be graduates in the design, and media art departments will be on display at The Museum of Flying, 2772 Donald Douglas Loop North, Santa Monica, California, on Thursday, June 14, 2001, from 11 am to 2 pm For more information: Tel.: (310) 752–4700; or Web: www.artinstitutes.edu.

* Friday, June 8 – Thursday, June 14, 2001, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.A.

* Wednesday June 13, 2001, Hollywood, California, U.S.A.



On Wednesday June 13, 2001 at 6:30 pm, Women In Animation Los Angeles will present "Networking, Creating Relationships That Work!" at Klasky-Csupo’s Hollywood studio. The event is hosted by Kelly Ellezy, co-owner of Red Gypsy Animation visual effects studio, and Pamela Thompson, a career coach. The event is free for WIA/LA members; $10 donation for non-members. For more information: Tel.: (310) 535-3838.

* Thursday, June 14, 2001, Portland, Oregon, U.S.A.



The Art Institute of Portland will be having a Graduate Portfolio Review on June 14, 2001 from 4 to 8 pm. The school is located at Parkside Center, Suite 150, 2020 SW 4th Avenue, Portland, Oregon 97201. Works on display will include computer animation, graphic design, multimedia/Web design, interior design and apparel design. For more information: Tel.: (503) 944-6651.

On May 24, 2001, Fox Interactive announced the appointment of Michael R. Heilemann as director of technology. Heilemann will report to Michael Pole, senior vice president of product development, and will direct Fox Interactive's software development efforts and technical research and development. Additionally, Heilemann will oversee the company's relationships with its hardware partners Microsoft, Nintendo and Sony. Heilemann comes to Fox Interactive from Electronic Arts Canada, where he was a senior software engineer.

The 28th Annual Daytime Emmy Awards were presented on May 18, 2001 by the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. Emmy Awards are presented to daytime television programs that are broadcast nationally between the hours of 2 a.m. and 6 p.m.

In association with the International Critic's Week at the Cannes Film Festival, monsieurcinema.com awarded the first award for Best Web Film at Cannes 2001. The seven films in competition were: CUB by Steve Whitehouse, Canada; GOTCHAAA! by Eric Gosselet and Fabien Brandily, France; IN A GROVE by Hiroyuki Watanabe, Japan; LE SECRET MINCEUR by Stéphane Ricard, France; MARCELLE (episode “Les Plaisirs De La Route”) by Guillaume Joire, France; THE BIRTH OF STAINBOY by Tim Burton, USA; and THE SVUOTCHER by Flavio Della Rocca and Mattia Pasquini, Italy.

Exploding into the top spot at the box office this Memorial Day weekend was Buena Vista’s PEARL HARBOR, which made a triumphant nationwide debut, grossing $75.1 million. The 3-hour, action-packed movie is set during the time of the Japanese bombing of Pearl Harbor, where two friends (Ben Affleck and Josh Hartnett) are caught up in the events that draw the United States into World War II. DreamWorks' CG-animated film SHREK more than withstood the heavy bombardment, slipping down one notch from first to second with $54.2 million during its second weekend.