AMD is holding the AMD Athlon 64 Processor Animation and Digital Film Contest, a global search for the best non-commercial animation and digital short films. Eligible participants can submit their work in one of two categories, "Digital Cinematography" or "Computer Character Animation," for a chance to win one of two grand prizes. Each grand prizewinner will receive a desktop system based on the upcoming AMD Athlon 64 processor and $6,400. Eligible participants are invited to submit original 30- to 45-second, animations or digital short films for consideration. Six semifinalists will be selected (three in each category) by AMD and a panel of experts. These six submissions will be re-rendered by AMD on an AMD Athlon 64 processor-based system at the conclusion of the contest. AMD also plans to showcase the six semifinalists at AMD Athlon 64 launch events around the world on September 23, 2003. Contest information and official rules can be found at www.amd.com/animationcontest.

Connichi is a non-commercial anime and manga convention by fans for fans. Guests of honor at this year

The National Post Design Exchange Awards competition is Canada's only awards program to judge design by balancing function, aesthetics and economic success. These awards are designed to: expand national understanding of design as an essential resource, demonstrate that investment in design impacts overall business success, celebrate effectiveness in all design disciplines, highlight the critical role of design in enhancing quality of life, reinforce the value of strong client/designer partnerships and promote the critical role of design in sustainability. A jury of leading business executives, designers and community leaders will select up to three winners in each of seven categories. This year's National Post Design Exchange Awards program is sponsored by Apple Canada,Volvo, JBM Resources Network, Karo International Group Inc. and the Crowne Plaza Toronto Centre. For more information visit www.dx.org/whats_on/national.html.

Regal Cinemas will be launching the Nano Shorts Program this fall, putting short films in front of feature films in their Cinema Art Theatres nationwide. Here

ASIFA-Hollywood is currently accepting entries for the 31st Annual Annie Awards. Deadline to receive entries is Friday, October 3, 2003. Every year, ASIFA-Hollywood, the Los Angeles area-based branch of the International Animated Film Society, honors the best in film, television, game and Internet animation with the Annie Awards. The awards ceremony will take place at the Alex Theater in Glendale, California on Saturday, February 7, 2004.

The Annie Awards honor overall excellence as well as individual achievement in areas ranging from production design, character animation and effects animation to storyboarding, writing, music and voice acting. Entries submitted for consideration must be from productions that originally aired, were exhibited in an animation festival or commercially released in their country of origin between January 1, 2003 and December 31, 2003.

All rules, category information and entry forms are available online at www.asifa-hollywood.org or by contacting ASIFA-Hollywood at (818) 842-8330. Final nominations will be announced by ASIFA-Hollywood in January 2004.

Founded in 1972 by ASIFA member and veteran voice talent June Foray, the Annie Awards have grown in scope and stature for the past three decades. Today, ASIFA-Hollywood supports a range of animation activities and preservation efforts through its membership. Today, there are ASIFA chapters in nearly thirty countries worldwide.

AnimeNext is an anime and manga convention that has branched into tech and video gaming. The event will feature voice acting guests, large dealers room, cosplay, a concert by Himawari, anime music video contest, dance, panels, workshops, manga room, game shows, 24-hour video rooms and videogaming. The guest of honor will be Takehiko Ito, creator of OUTLAW STAR. Workshops include sake tasting, cel painting, kimono workshop, drawing the manga way, shogi/go workshops and dubbing workshops. For more information contact Universal Animation at PO Box 1088, Pearl River, NY 10965, e-mail: info@animenext.org or Web: www.animenext.org.

Metreon-A Sony Entertainment Center presents the 3rd annual Metreon Festival of Anime from 10:00 am-11:00 pm. Metreon's Festival of Anime will offer hundreds of fans a chance to experience the latest anime in an energetic, social atmosphere. Festival-goers will preview the newest products in Bandai's newly-expanded Metreon shop, compete in costume and model building contest, and meet and interact with other anime fans, while viewing an line-up of the latest films inside Metreon's Action Theatre. This year's Metreon Festival of Anime will feature titles from internationally-renowned anime authority, Bandai Entertainment and will culminate with the premiere of WITCH HUNTER ROBIN, which fans will experience in Action Theatre's 4D rumble seats. In addition, attendees will get a sneak peek at the new ASTRO BOY series coming to the Kids' WB! in early 2004. For more information visit www.acteva.com/go/metreon.

The NFB Animation studio in Montreal is producing Talespinners 2, a follow-up to the NFB's highly successful Talespinners collection of short animated films for children. One priority of the collection is to give voice and access to under-represented visible minority writers and animation filmmakers, but with an emphasis in this second collection on stories from the many variegated and transforming edges of the Canadian multicultural mix in the 21st century. The deadline for submission is October 24, 2003. For more information visit www.nfb.ca/talespinners2.

Thurs. 10/30: CINESPACE INDUSTRY PARTY/Dracula Screening Co-hosted by Mac Africa and Planet Shark Make your Dinner Reservations early for an exclusively wicked Halloween Celebration Dinner for THE DINNER/MOVIE in the Main Room. Screening: Bram Stoker's DRACULA directed by Francis Ford Coppola) Showtime: 8:00pm Enjoy a sinful three course special Chef's Menu featuring Francis Coppola's wines. A surprise evil guest will be hosting trivia after the movie for delicious rewards and prizes! UK Producer/DJ Blackliquid - Soulful, funky house House in the Lounge (9pm-2am). Plus DJ Crash - Hip-Hop, R&B, Drum & Bass in the Main Dance Room (10pm-2am) Pre-Halloween Mask Party w/prizes for the best mask including a $50 voucher (dinner for 2 @ CineSpace). SHARK'S GUEST LIST - NO COVER UNTIL 10:30 pm! RSVP: PARTYSHARKLA@AOL.COM w/the names of all those in your party. For dinners, please also note your desired chow time* Cinespace: 6356 Hollywood Blvd. 2ND LEVEL Right above Club Ivar. Hollywood, CA Valet parking Available. 21 & up :) ****** shark www.planetsharkproductions.com los angeles, ca - planet earth "The path to success is to take massive, determined action." -- Anthony Robbins

January 13, 2004 Deadline: November 12, 2003 Celebrating a small niche of the advertising industry, the Website Gamespot.com is hosting the First Annual Game Commercial Awards. The contest hopes to recognize the best and most creative gaming commercials on television. Game companies are invited to enter any and all TV commercials, which will be viewed and voted on by GameSpot's audience of nearly 900,000 daily unique gamers. Commercials will be promoted on GameSpot.com between Thanksgiving Day November 27, 2003 and New Year's Day, with the winners announced on January 13, 2004. Online entries must be received by Wednesday, November 12, 2003.