The Ann Arbor Film Festival is a non-profit arts organization that has along-standing tradition of showcasing all genres of independent experimental film. Its mission is to provide a worldwide public forum for independent and experimental moving image exhibitions, to encourage and showcase artists of the moving image, to promote the moving image as art and to offer educational outreach. The week after the festival the festival will host a traveling tour of colleges, museums and theaters across the U.S. A total of $18,000 in cash prizes will be awarded by jurors in 22 categories. For more information contact the festival at: P.O. Box 8232, Ann Arbor, MI 48107; tel.: (734) 995-5356 and Web: www.aafilmfest.org.

CARTOON will present the Audiovisual Training Forum. The goal of the event is to increase cultural diversity and business opportunities in the enlarged Europe. For more information, visit www.cartoon-media.be.

ASIFA Italia, Italian Association of Animated Film, in cooperation with Scuola Nazionale di Cinema Centro Sperimentale di Cinematografia Animation Dept., with the help of Ministry of Cultural Affairs, the Regione Piemonte and Citt

Mobile Entertainment Summit, part of CTIA WIRELESS 2004, will allow visitors to meet the most respected names offering practical advice in development and implementation of mobile entertainment strategies. Attendees will hear from leading international experts discussing the challenges and opportunities for creating branded content and making money for multimedia products and services in the U.S., Europe and Asia. It will give visitors a chance to network with leading carriers, operators, device and handset makers, entertainment and media content creators, game developers, investors, technology companies and other leaders in the wireless realm. For more information, visit www.mobiletechforum.com.

The 18th annual Game Developers Conference (GDC) is the official trade event "by game developers for developers" of computer, console, mobile, arcade, online games, and location based entertainment. It's the forum where programmers, artists, producers, game designers, audio professionals and others involved in the development of interactive games gather to exchange ideas, network, and shape the future of the industry. The GDC features more than 300 lectures, panels, tutorials and round-table discussions on a comprehensive selection of game development topics taught by leading industry experts. In addition, the GDC expo showcases all of the game development tools, platforms and services. The conference includes the fourth annual Independent Games festival, where new, unpublished games compete for the attention of the publishing community. For more information, visit www.gdconf.com/.

COMDEX Canada 2003 is a technology marketplace where buyers and sellers meet, learn and make business technology decisions. The event gives professionals a look at new applications and solutions. The event allows them to generate and close leads, shorten sales cycles, support existing clients, develop channel distribution or technology partnerships, position or launch new products, increase brand awareness, gain exposure to press and analysts and generate demonstrable ROO and ROI. For more information on the event visit www.comdex.com/canada/.

As the host of the first annual Animation Weekend 2004, The Art Institute of Phoenix is proud to bring together animation enthusiasts with professionals and experts in the world of animation for a weekend full of workshops and special activities at the Phoenix Art Museum.

Animation Weekend 2004 will feature workshops and presentations from animation experts, a student demo reel review session, an After Hours Mixer at the Phoenix Art Museum including the "Degas in Bronze" exhibit, insider views into the making of

MIP-TV is the world

The annual Animation Nation meeting is dedicated discussing the issues that affect the animation community. This event will not be covered by the funds from the Independent Economy. Food and beverages will be served. The event is free, but contributions are welcome. Please RSVP to admin@animationnation.com. When attending bring a photo ID in the form of a drivers license, guests will not be allowed to attend the meeting anonymously. The meeting will take place at the Pickwick Center, 1001 Riverside Drive, Burbank, California at 1:30 pm. For more information, visit www.animationnation.com.

ETA 2004 LA will highlight digital asset management, VOD, digital cinema, entertainment & mobility and venture capital in entertainment. ETA summit is a place where executives from music, film, gaming, cable, TV, video, and technology address viable business models and innovative solutions for the entertainment industry. The event allows attendees to meet the experts developing the cutting edge technologies in the entertainment space. For more information, visit www.etaexpo.com or call (310) 229-8915.