On May 11, 2000, the Academy of Interactive Arts and Sciences will hand out their top honors of the year with PC game AGE OF EMPIRES II leading the field with 7 nominations. Held in Los Angeles, this, the third edition, will be hosted by comedian Martin Short. Members of the Academy with expertise in each area formed review panels to vote for the winners. The award for game of the year, computer game of the year and console game of the year was voted on by all of the eligible members of the Academy. This year’s competition saw over 350 entries from 60 different companies.

* Saturday, July 1, 2000. Los Angeles, California, U.S.A.

* Friday, June 9 – Sunday, June 11, 2000. Suntec City, Singapore.

* Monday, June 5 – Saturday, June 10, 2000. Annecy, France.

On Tuesday, May 2, 2000, Swatch, a world leading watch producer, and AtomFilms, a leader in Internet entertainment, announced a partnership to seek independent creative talent for an animated Swatch "Internet Time" ad campaign. The jointly organized competition is open to Flash animators from around the globe. Winners will help Swatch develop an Internet communication campaign. Peter Fonda, two-time Academy Award nominee, will join Swatch and AtomFilms as one of the advisory judges for the contest.

* Monday, June 5 - Sunday, June 11, 2000. Toronto, Canada.

* Wednesday, June 7 - Sunday, June 11, 2000. Nashville, Tennessee, U.S.A.

* Friday, June 2, 2000. Los Angeles, California, U.S.A.

* Tuesday, May 30 - Sunday, June 4, 2000. Los Angeles, California, U.S.A.

* Monday, June 5 - Wednesday, June 7, 2000. Annecy, France.

* Tuesday, June 13 - Thursday, June 15, 2000. New York, New York, U.S.A.


The 20th annual L!censing trade show is dedicated to the multi-billion dollar worldwide business of consumer product licensing, marketing and merchandising. Last year's event had more than 16,000 in attendance. With more than 35 companies from outside the U.S., the exhibition is truly an international event. For more information contact Kim Farrell at: Tel.: (203) 882-1300 ext. 159 or Robin Kerr at Tel.: (212) 951-6650; Fax: (203) 882-1800; E-mail: lic@advanstar.com; or Web: www.licensingshow.com.

On Sunday, April 9, 2000, the British Academy of Film and Television Arts bestowed the honor of best animated short on THE MAN WITH BEAUTIFUL EYES. The film was adapted from a Charles Bukowski poem where a group of boys make a hero of a deadbeat alcoholic. The film by Jonathan Hodgson beat out Oscar winner THE OLD MAN AND THE SEA by Alexander Petrov, the 1998 Oscar nominated JOLLY ROGER by Mark Baker and festival favorite THE PERI-WIG MAKER by Steffen Schaffler. As it did at the Oscars, THE MATRIX took home the awards for sound and special effects.

* Wednesday, April 26 - Sunday, April 30, 2000. Champaign, Illinois, U.S.A.

In the television competition at Cartoons on the Bay, Warner Bros.' beleaguered series MISSION HILL took home the prize for best over-all animation series. The 4th Cartoons On The Bay International Festival of Television Animation was held in Positano (Amalfi Coast), Italy from April 14 - 18. Cartoons on the Bay is the only festival in the world dedicated to television animation. The festival is an international event with awards, workshops, lectures and events centering on the ever-changing world of television animation.

COURAGE THE COWARDLY DOG has joined Cartoon Network Latin America's line up. The series chronicles the life of a terribly timid dog named Courage who must regularly defend his owners, an old couple living on a farm outside the small town of Nowhere, from paranormal elements that threaten their simple existence. Based on the character from the 1996 Academy Award-nominated cartoon short THE CHICKEN FROM OUTER SPACE, created by John R. Dilworth, COURAGE THE COWARDLY DOG is the seventh Cartoon Network Original to make an exclusive appearance in Latin America.

* Thursday, May 4, 2000. Los Angeles, California, U.S.A.

* Friday, April 28 - Saturday, April 29, 2000. Glendale, California, U.S.A.

* Monday, April 10 - Sunday, April 16, 2000. Richmond, Virginia, U.S.A.

* Friday, May 19 - Sunday, May 21, 2000. Melbourne, Florida, U.S.A.

* Friday, April 14, 2000. Beverly Hills, California, U.S.A.


The Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences will be screening the 10 animated and live-action Oscar nominated short films. The animated films, including Academy winner THE OLD MAN AND THE SEA, will kick off the "Shorts!" presentation at 7:30 pm. In addition to the live-action films, the evening's lineup will include HUMDRUM, MY GRANDMOTHER IRONED THE KING'S SHIRTS, 3 MISSES and WHEN THE DAY BREAKS. For more information contact the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences at: Tel.: (310) 247-3000.