Ai-Kon is Manitoba's largest anime convention. An all-ages event, the goal of Ai-Kon is the promotion of Japanese/Asian animation and culture to the public. Started by the University of Manitoba Japanese Animation Club (UMAnime) in 2001, Ai-Kon took a re-organizational hiatus in 2002, returning in 2003. Ai-Kon has since become an autonomous event, run by an independent volunteer board. "Ai" means "love" in Japanese, hence Ai-Kon's slogan "For the Love of Anime." For more details, visit www.ai-kon.org/.

The Ottawa International Animation Festival (OIAF 07) is the premiere animation festival in North America. Independent, commercial, and student animators working in a variety of media submit their work, under eight umbrella categories; including independent short films, feature films, new media, music videos, commercials, TV shows, student films, films for children and the TELETOON Canadian Student Animation Scholarship. Attendees can look forward to retrospectives of Janet Perlman and Saul Steinberg, a unique program entitled "Poetry in Motion" and extensive screenings celebrating the animation of United Productions of America (UPA). The 2007 Honorary President will be H?l?ne Tanguay, Marketing Manager - Animation for the National Film Board of Canada. OIAF 07 will also include the 4th Annual Television Animation Conference, Canada's only industry forum for television animation producers, broadcasters, and buyers to network, discuss market trends, and conduct business. The conference will offer delegates a unique opportunity to connect with their targets and gain valuable insight into the Canadian and international markets. Other events include the Animator's Picnic, Technology Forum and a special market for schools and recruiting. For more information, visit www.animationfestival.ca.

Hosted by Science World at Telus World of Science and the CN IMAX Theatre, the GSCA International Conference and Trade Show will include film viewings, professional development sessions, a trade show, the annual Achievement Awards gala and dinner, and countless opportunities for networking at the giant screen industry's biggest event of the year. For more information, visit www.giantscreencinema.com.

The four-day Banff World Television Festival combines a prestigious international program competition, the Banff World Television Awards, with a comprehensive conference agenda. Within this festival, production deals are secured and advanced, new business relationships are formed and future trends in the industry are identified and examined. Banff World Television Festival is a not-for-profit event produced by Achilles Media Ltd., an international events management company serving the television and digital media industries. Achilles Media Ltd events include: the Banff World Television Festival; the World Congress of History Producers; nextMEDIA - The Future of Digital Content; and NATPE Mobile++. Dawn Airey, md of channels and services, British Sky Broadcasting, will deliver a keynote address to delegates attending this year's event, which takes place June 10-13, 2007, at the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel in Banff, Alberta. To register for BWTVF 2007, visit www.bwtvf.com.

The 2nd Annual Canadian Awards for the Electronic and Animated Arts (CAEAA) along with its event partners Ernst & Young, Electronic Arts (EA), Autodesk and the British Columbia Provincial Government will be inviting videogame and animation companies as well as the students and educators from around the world to participate in this year's awards event, the 2007 Elans. While last year'sCAEAA hosted by William Shatner drew worldwide attention, only Canadian content qualified for nomination. The 2008 Elans will include International Award Categories determined by worldwide industry input. The 2008 Elans will be held in February, at The Centre in Vancouver for the Performing Arts. The state-of-the-art structure, regarded as the premiere entertainment facility in the city, will host the nearly 2,000 worldwide guests and participants of this year's Elans, tripling the attendance of its inaugural year in 2006. This year the awards will also grow into a two-day event: The day following the Elans, the CAEAA producers along with industry associations such as the International Gaming Development Association (IGDA) and Ernst & Young will be hosting a full day industry event. The CIV will offer CEOs and their staff from videogaming, animation and new media schools, both big and small, the opportunity to meet in person and "talk business." This day will provide for Canadian and international 2007 Elans attendees to interface in a casual but informative environment within luxurious surroundings. The day will end with a VIP wrap party currently planned for the Vancouver Art Gallery whereat working art from animation and videogaming projects will be displayed and auctioned for charity. Special events and rates for excursions such as Whistler getaways will be available for those not wishing to hurry home on Sunday. The CAEAA couldn't produce the 2007 Elans without its Founders; those already committed to support this coming year's awards include Foundation 9/Backbone Entertainment, Western Imperial Magnetics, David Kaye Productions, Selkirk College, The Art Institute of Vancouver, Emily Carr Institute, VFS and Dean Lauz of D'Arts. For more information, visit www.caeaa.com.

On September 14, 2007 the Toronto Online Film Festival shall present the exciting 2007 TOFF Awards.

Highlights of the gala evening include awards in such categories as Best Animation, Best Entertainment Website, Best Short Film, Best Action Trailer, Best Documentary and countless more. Directors, editors, videographers, game developers and graphic designers from around the world shall also be spotlighted on the weekly vlogcast series

Unlike traditional film and awards festivals, there is no fee to enter TOFF.ca and no fussing with packages, courier and mail. Instead, entries are painlessly submitted online ? together with the entrant?s web link highlighted to the URL or web address, where their work may be easily viewed by audiences worldwide, via the official TOFF.ca site. Thus, an unknown genius could become an instant star.

Once the entrant?s link has been tagged, labeled and posted under it?s respective subject category, online audiences from around the world can link to the respective site, view the work and vote for their favorite.
Linked videos of audience members and reviewers are tagged and posted as well.

Ultimately, audience votes are tallied, official judge?s reviews are broadcast on the daily vlogcast series being showcased online and awards are presented on September 14, 2007 in one of the most exciting cities in the world.

Organizers of the Vancouver International Digital Festival have partnered with the Vancouver International Film Festival. This means a move for the 2007 Vancouver International Digital Festival, now running from Sept. 22-25, to kick off the Vancouver International Film Festival (VIFF) and link top-notch digital creatives and producers with leaders of the global film and television community. Now in its fourth year, the 2007 Vancouver International Digital Festival offers creative exchange and business opportunities for producers and creators of digital media, including animation, games, Web 2.0, mobile and interactive content. The theme for this year's festival is Reminiscing about the Future. Presented by New Media BC, the Vancouver International Digital Festival is Canada's biggest annual digital content event, connecting international business leaders and top creative minds in the fields of animation, games, web 2.0, mobile and interactive content. 2007 festival supporters include: Telefilm, British Columbia Film and Canadian Heritage. For more information, visit www.vidfest.com.

New Media BC announced it will produce and present the first annual PopVox Awards honoring excellence in digital media. Entries can be submitted via the awards website, www.popvoxawards.com, through Sept. 7. Winners will be determined via online votes, which can be submitted Sept. 8-17 through the site. Winners will receive their honors on Sep. 22, at the opening gala celebration for the Vancouver International Digital Festival. PopVox Awards categories will include Best Web 2.0 Application, Best Mobile Game, Best Digital Animation Short, Best Digital VFX, Best Game, Best Digital Music Score, and Homegrown: The Best of British Columbia (BC). For more information, visit www.newmediabc.com.

The Toronto International Film Festival is one of the premiere film festivals in the world. The event features many debuts of films that will go on to be box-office and critical successes. This major industry event is a place where studios test their films and seek out independent features. This year the acclaimed "Into the Pixel" videogame art exhibition will be on display for the first time at TIFF. "Into the Pixel" is a feature of TIFF's first-ever installations program, "Future Projections," which showcases interactive film projects and other film-related artwork. Both the 2006 and 2007 collections of "Into the Pixel" will be featured at the Ontario College of Art & Design in Toronto, as part of the largest public film festival in the world. For more information, visit www.tiff07.ca/.

The four-day Banff World Television Festival combines a prestigious international program competition, the Banff World Television Awards, with a comprehensive conference agenda. Within this festival, production deals are secured and advanced, new business relationships are formed and future trends in the industry are identified and examined.

Banff World Television Festival is a not-for-profit event produced by Achilles Media Ltd., an international events management company serving the television and digital media industries. Achilles Media Ltd events include: the Banff World Television Festival; the World Congress of History Producers; nextMEDIA - The Future of Digital Content; and NATPE Mobile++.

The early bird deadline is Jan. 31, and the final deadline is Feb. 14.

To register, visit www.bwtvf.com.