This year the San Diego Comic-Con International will be held August 12-15.
Comic-Con is the largest convention of its kind. It features a huge comic
book, animation, film and related items marketplace, a slew of panels, and
many special guests. The special guests currently scheduled include Neil
Gaiman (SANDMAN), Mike Mignola (HELLBOY), Art Spiegelman (MAUS, RAW), Jim
Steranko (publisher of PREVUE, writer and artist of famous 1960's issues of
S.H.I.E.L.D. and CAPTAIN AMERICA), Dave Stevens (THE ROCKETEER), Jill

Bob Gurr, designer and veteran Walt Disney Imagineer whose designs for Disneyland include the original "bubble-top" Monorail engine, will appear in person Saturday, April 10, from 1:30 to 3:30 pm in The Disney Gallery, New Orleans Square, Disneyland. Gurr will meet with Disneyland guests and sign a specially commissioned
lithograph representing his own imaginative vision of a future Monorail. The lithograph retails for $95.

Daffy Duck will finally get the respect he longs for on April 16 at 10am at
the Mann's Chinese Theater in Hollywood when a U.S. postage stamp is
dedicated in his honor and "Daffy Duck Day" is declared in Hollywood to
commemorate the event. Johnny Grant, Ceremonial Mayor of Hollywood and
Chairman of the HollywoodWalk of Fame, will declare the day as "Daffy Duck
Day" when he joins Tirso del Junco, M.D., member of the Postal Service's
Board of Governors, and Dan Romanelli, President, Warner Bros. Consumer

* Sunday, April 11. Richmond, Virginia, USA.


PRE-1950 AMERICAN ANIMATION will feature several gems including "Porky in
Wackyland," "Bimbo's Initiation," and Betty Boop in "Snow White." Janet
Scagnelli introduces the program which starts at 5pm at the James River
Festival. TEL: (804) 355-1383. www.vcu.edu/artweb/jamesriverfest also
offers further details.

Animator and performance artist Kathy Rose will be performing April 8, 1999
in Paris at the Fondation Cartier pour l'art contemporain. In her unique
show Ms. Rose performs her own dances in front of projections of her films
She will present an excerpt from "Oriental Interplay," "Syncopations," a
piece called "Precious Metals," and three scenes from her new performance,
"Kleopat'Ra," which begins its world tour this summer. TEL: (1) 42 18 56
50; Address: 261 boulevard Raspail; Paris, France. More information:
www.krose.com

The following three programs will be presented at this year's James River
Festival: Tuesday April 6th, 7:30pm. Bill Plympton will host "Animation by
Plympton" and show I Married a Strange Person, "Your Face," "How to Kiss,"
"25 Ways to Quit Smoking," "and his latest shorts. Sunday April 11, 3pm.
"Brief History of the Animated TV Commercial" will feature over 50
commercials from 1948-1993. Janet Scagnelli will introduce the program.
Sunday April 11, 5pm. "Pre-1950 American Animation" will feature several

Netherlands based Magus Entertainment will hold a press conference and
present the first episode of their animated TV series, "SimsallaGrimm," at
MIP TV 99 on April 12th. MIP TV 99, the International Television Programme
Market, will be held April 12-17 at the Palais des Festivals in Cannes,
France. For more information contact the MIP TV Public Relations
Department: Margot Gardett - Tel: (33-1) 41 90 45 59 or Keith Daly - Tel:
(33-1) 41 90 45 60; Fax: (33-1) 41 90 46 24.

Tueday, April 13. Glendale, California, U.S.A.


As part of ASIFA-Hollywood's Third Annual Lecture Series, Corey Hels will
speak at the Glendale Community College auditorium about what it takes to
be a technical director. Hels has worked as a technical director or CGI
animator for various studios including Metrolight, Dream Quest Images,
Turner Feature Animation, and Warner Bros. Feature and Classical Animation.
His film credits include CATS DON'T DANCE, IRON GIANT, THE MASK, CRIMSON

* Wednesday, March 31. Burbank, California, U.S.A.

* Wednesday, March 24 - Saturday, March 27. Auch, France.


For its 12th edition, the Festival National du Film d'Animation (National Animation Festival) moves to Auch, Central France from its previous home in Marly-le-Roi. Programs include screenings, panel discussions, tributes, exhibitions, the workshop "Introduction to Animation," and opportunities for audiences to meet the filmmakers. For more information, call ++ 33 (0)1-4543-2359, e-mail afca@afca.asso.fr or visit www.afca.asso.fr.