The Ultimate Gamers Expo is open to the general public and gives fans the chance to test drive the latest games and platforms, participate in tournaments and watch live entertainment. The event will be held at the Los Angeles Convention Center. The festival admission is $20 for adults and $10 for anyone under the age of 17. For more information, visit www.ugexpo.com.

The 6th Annual DVD Awards is the premiere awards ceremony for the DVD industry. Hosted by famed film critic Leonard Maltin, the event celebrates the art of making DVDs. This year the event will feature a Viewer's Choice Award. DVD publishers, film studios, production companies, mastering facilities and individual producers are invited to participate in the awards program honoring the best in DVD. For more information visit www.recordingmedia.org/dvd-awards.html.

Women in Animation - Canada will host a fundraising, summer social on August 27, 2003. Broadway Art from the animation community will be on display and for sale at the event. Attendees to the event will have the chance to take home various door prizes. The fundraiser will support and promote the ongoing activities of WIA

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

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

STUDIOTOOLS DISCOVERY NIGHT & DIGITAL SKETCHING CONTEST Great Eastern Technology 6pm-9pm Join us for this free seminar exploring StudioTools, the world's leading industrial design software for the product design and transportation markets. We will explore the features and capabilities of StudioTools, ImageStudio and PortfolioWall. Discover how this 3D software solution can work for you. All attendees will receive a StudioTools 11 Personal Learning Edition CD. DIGITAL SKETCHING CONTEST - HELD BOTH EVENINGS! The contest will be held each night after the presentations. Everyone registered to compete will have 10 minutes to sketch a design on a Wacom Cintiq Tablet. Visit us online for more information and to register! MORE INFORMATION: http://www.get.com/3dweek.html VIEW PRIZES: http://www.get.com/3dweek_prizes.html REGISTER: http://www.get.com/3dweek_registration.html

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.