The First Annual Maelstrom International Fantastic Film Festival runs September 18 through 20, 2009. The complete festival schedule will be announced in August. Tickets will be made available online as well as in designated ticket venues. For more information on the festival, including descriptions of films and events, please visit www.mifff.org. MIFFF produces the Maelstrom International Fantastic Film Festival, the premier Pacific Northwest weekend-long event devoted towards independent and international genre film making. The event was created to offer exposure to films that traditionally are overlooked by the festival circuit from genres including animation, fantasy, horror, and science fiction. The festival will feature an amazing selection of fantastic cinema from around the globe -- with the possibility of artists presenting the works themselves. U.S. and world premieres will play alongside global festival favorites and select retrospective titles. MIFFF is registered as a Washington State non-profit. MIFFF's mission is to create experiences that bring people together to discover extraordinary genre movies from across the globe.

From September 17-20, 2009, Klik! Amsterdam will host the second edition of the KLIK! Amsterdam Animation Festival, a true multimedia festival that will screen animated shorts from all over the world, combined with interactive gaming fun, fascinating animated sidebar activities and the finest festivities.

No entry fee.

Open competition
Student competition
Best Design Award
Best Politically Engaged Film Award

E-card Competition:
http://www.boomerang.nl/opdrachten/upload-a-short-sendable-animation-and-win

For more information and submission of your film, visit http://www.klikamsterdam.nl

Anime Festival Orlando is excited to announce the exciting conclusion of "The Swords of Orlandia". "Swords of Orlandia" is the story behind AFO's Interactive Convention Experience. The talented writing staff has crafted an original story/game in which attendees can voluntarily participate all weekend long. Throughout the event there are "character cut scenes", side quests and plenty of leveling up that even casual fans of Live Action Role-playing will enjoy. "With the popularity of role playing games such as 'Kingdom Hearts', 'Final Fantasy' and 'World of Warcraft' we've found this theme to be an overwhelming success for the past two years," states event coordinator Karen Trudeau. This year, Anime Festival Orlando has the privilege to announce their guests of honor: Reuben Langdon, Vic Mignogna, Aaron Dismuke, Chris Sabat, Colleen Clinkenbeard, Sonny Strait, Doug Smith, Jason David Frank and Robert Axelrod. "One of things that makes AFO 'Florida's Favorite Anime Convention' is that many of our guests take an active role in our theming and events throughout the weekend," said Karen Trudeau. "We're really excited about the panels and workshops that have been suggested by the guests themselves." New events for Anime Festival Orlando 10 include Whack-a-Nerd for Charity and Wasabi Anime's Cross Play Rally Race. There will also be fan favorite events such as Happy Happy Cosplay Go Go Go and the traditional fare offered at anime conventions. AFO is a multi-day celebration of all things related to Japanese animation and pop culture held at the Wyndham Orlando Resort July 31, August 1 and August 2, 2009. Ticket prices are only $45.00 for an adult 3-day membership badge, $25.00 for a Friday or Sunday Only wristband and $30.00 for a Saturday Only wristband. Growing in attendance nearly 20% each year since its inception in 2000, Anime Festival Orlando has earned the title of "Florida's Favorite Anime Convention" as well as being voted one of the "Top 10 Things To Do In Orlando" by DK Publishing's Travel Guide. For more information about Anime Festival Orlando, please visit http://www.animefestivalorlando.com/

In celebration of the SpongeBob SquarePants' 10th Anniversary, Borders(R) and Waldenbooks(R) stores nationwide will host a "SpongeBob Day of Happiness" kids event July 18 beginning at 2 p.m. Kids of all ages won't want to miss this opportunity to enjoy an afternoon of free fun in honor of the quirky yellow sea sponge, his zany sidekicks Patrick and Squidward and all of the inhabitants of Bikini Bottom. Stores have a number of activities planned for kids, which may include the following: -- Storytime - Grab free samples of delicious beverages and treats from the Seattle's Best Coffee cafe located in most Borders superstores and then enjoy storytime featuring SpongeBob books as well as other entertaining stories. Treats to try include Peach FruitKula(R) and Peach Raspberry Cobbler Cake. -- Trivia - In SpongeBob world, what are snails like? What is the name of Bikini Bottom's resident ghost? Kids will be challenged to answer these questions and more during SpongeBob trivia. -- Games - Games will vary from store to store, but kids will have a great time engaging in a variety of SpongeBob, Patrick, Squidward and Krusty Krab-inspired activities that are sure to get the arms and legs moving and the blood flowing! -- Puppet Project - Kids can create their own SpongeBob, Patrick, Squidward or Jellyfish puppets and take them on their own adventures. -- "Day of Happiness" Parade - Pay tribute to SpongeBob and all of the smiles he's created by parading around the store with your special puppet in hand wishing everyone a happy day. In addition to enjoying a variety of entertaining activities, fans can also look forward to receiving fun prizes and giveaways including ponchos, magnets, temporary tattoos and balloons. (Prizes and giveaways will vary by store.) To find out if your local Borders or Waldenbooks store is hosting a "SpongeBob Day of Happiness" party, click the Store Locator tab on Borders.com and search for your favorite store, and then click on the store's page to view a list of upcoming events. Events may vary from store to store.

Primarily known for its majestic steel bridges that lead into the city, its steel manufacturing plants, and its major sports teams, Pittsburgh will now be known as the home of Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc.'s (KDE) Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's TRADING CARD GAME United States 2009 National Championship. Hundreds of Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME (TCG) Duelists will converge on Pittsburgh to prove that they are the best TCG players in the world. The road to the U.S. Nationals began in late April at the SHONEN JUMP Championship in Anaheim, California and then progressed through more than 76 Regional Qualifier and Dragon Duel events held around the country. In Pittsburgh, 900 aspiring champion Duelists will be battling to be named a U.S. National Champion, the top four finalists will be invited to compete in the Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG World Championship in Tokyo, August 8th and 9th. Live coverage of the U.S. Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's TCG 2009 National Championship will be available online during the event at www.yugioh-com/en/events, for those who are not able to attend. Event information: Where: David L Lawrence Convention Center 1000 Ft. Duquesne Boulevard, Pittsburgh, PA 15222 When: July 10-12 Time: 8:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. Cost: Entry into the Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG 2009 National Championship is FREE for Duelists who have qualified for the event through official KDE Regional Qualifiers, the KDE Anaheim SHONEN JUMP Championship, and KDE Dragon Duel tournaments; however there will be a cost for side events, participants will receive Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME booster packs equal to the cost of participation. Prizing information: -- 1st place - Travel and accommodations to Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG World Championship held in Tokyo, Japan; Trophy; "Dark End Dragon" Prize Card; Complete set of Raging Battle and a complete set of Ghost Rare cards from Tactical Evolution through Raging Battle; Digital Camera; Day of sightseeing in Japan; Nintendo DSi(TM) with Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's Stardust Accelerator World Championship 2009 game; 2009 National Championship Game Mat; Player Profile on Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG website; 2009 National Championship Card Binder; Set of four Ultra Rare Token Cards -- 2nd place - Travel and accommodations to Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG World Championship held in Tokyo, Japan; Trophy; Complete set of Raging Battle and a complete set of Ghost Rare cards from Tactical Evolution through Raging Battle; Digital Camera; Day of sightseeing in Japan; Nintendo DSi(TM) with Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's Stardust Accelerator World Championship 2009 game; 2009 National Championship Game Mat; Player Profile on Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG website; 2009 National Championship Card Binder; Set of four Ultra Rare Token Cards -- 3rd place - Travel and accommodations to Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG World Championship held in Tokyo, Japan; Trophy; Complete set of Raging Battle; Digital Camera; Day of sightseeing in Japan; 2009 National Championship Game Mat; Player Profile on Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG website; 2009 National Championship Card Binder; Set of four Ultra Rare Token Cards -- 4th place - Travel and accommodations to Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG World Championship held in Tokyo, Japan; Trophy; Complete set of Raging Battle; Digital Camera; Day of sightseeing in Japan; 2009 National Championship Game Mat; Player Profile on Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG website; 2009 National Championship Card Binder; Set of four Ultra Rare Token Cards -- 5th - 8th place - Trophy; Nintendo Wii(TM) Console with Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's Wheelie Breaker video game; 2009 National Championship Game Mat; 2009 National Championship Card Binder; Set of four Ultra Rare Token Cards -- 9th - 16th place - Nintendo DSi(TM) with Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's Stardust Accelerator World Championship 2009 video game; 2009 National Championship Game Mat; 2009 National Championship Card Binder; Set of four Ultra Rare Token Cards -- 17th - 32nd place - 2009 National Championship Game Mat; 2009 National Championship Card Binder; Set of four Ultra Rare Token Cards -- 33rd - Last place - 2009 National Championship Game Mat; Set of four Ultra Rare Token Cards KDE will offer 16-player Last Chance Regional Qualifier flights on Friday to give Duelists without invites the opportunity to qualify for the U.S. National Championship. Additionally, all weekend long, there will be exciting Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG side events which include Win-a-Mat tournaments, Team Dueling, Dragon Duel events and a Dragon Duel Championship Tournament for Duelists aged 12 and under.

After months of intense head-to-head regional tournaments, The Pokemon Company International, the worldwide leader in video games and trading card games, today announced details for its 2009 Pokemon Video Game and Trading Card Game (TCG) National Championships. This weekend -- June 27th & 28th -- Pokemon Video Game and TCG competitors from across the nation will converge at the America's Center in St. Louis, MO, in hopes of surviving the two-day storm of battles. Those that rise victorious will then test their skills against the best players from across the globe at the 2009 Pokemon World Championships in August. After using their remarkable talents and strategy for battles in Seattle, San Francisco, Phoenix, Dallas, Philadelphia, and Nashville, 48 master Pokemon Trainers have emerged from over fifteen hundred other players to guarantee their place in the Pokemon Video Game National Championships. Divided equally into two divisions -- Juniors (born in 1997 or later) and Seniors (born in 1996 or earlier) -- these competitors competed on the recently released video game Pokemon Platinum Version with their sights set on the World's Championships in San Diego. However, it is not necessary to win a Regional Championship Event to attend and compete at the Pokemon Video Game National Championships. The event will open its doors to the public for entry via random selection and hopeful contenders can show up for check-in at the America's Center with a copy of Pokemon Platinum Version for the Nintendo DS. Senior Division registration takes place on Saturday, June 27th from 8:30 - 9:30 A.M.; Juniors registration is from 11:30 A.M. - 12:30 P.M. First and second place finishers will be awarded travel for two (invitee and a guest) and the opportunity to play in the Pokemon Video Game World Championships, trophies, and a Pokemon prize package including a Nintendo Wii console (first place only), a Nintendo DSi game system, and other cool Pokemon items. Competitors in each division placing 3rd-16th will also receive travel for two to play in the World Championships. For details on Pokemon Video Game National Championships including prizes and times as well as Pokemon restrictions and rules, please visit www.pokemonvgc.com.

Is your school ready for the challenge? The Cartoon Challenge at KAFI (Kalamazoo Animation Festival International) 2009 is open for team submissions from September 1, 2008 to January 16, 2009. Ten teams of animations students from colleges and art schools across the continent will spend four intense days and nights on the campus of Kalamazoo Valley Community College. Their mission is to create an original 30-second PSA on a topic chosen by the event's sponsor. The topic is kept a secret until the start of the contest at 8 a.m., then the ten teams are let loose in the Center for New Media at KVCC to create their film. The challenge, from May 11-14, 2009, is the lead-up event to KAFI running May 14-17, 2009. Interested teams need to send an application form, a $35 entry fee and a demo reel to KAFI by January 16,2009. KAFI will notify the ten teams selected for the Cartoon Challenge on February 13, 2009. Details of the contest, rules, deadlines and application forms are available at: http://kafi.kvcc.edu.

The contest is open to all forms of animation, from traditional techniques like hand-drawing to cutting-edge digital methods. 2D, 3D, rotoscoping, stop-motion and flip book. The winning animated film will get $2,500, be featured on TAC.tv and have the chance for broadcast on Super Channel. The past two contests have yielded some amazing animation: Elohim Sanchez was awarded $2,500 for his film, L'INTERPRETATION DES REVES OU LES AVENTURES DU ROBOT BLEU and most recently, David Wesch of Vancouver won first prize for his short, BLIND DATE. SuperU's animation contests are being held on a quarterly basis and after the fourth competition an elite jury, including TAC.tv / Tetes a Claques creator Michel Beaudet, will award a prize to the best film from all four. Upload your film until 5 a.m. PST April 27, 2009. People can vote on all entries until 5 a.m. PST May 11, 2009. The winner will be announced on June 2, 2009. All filmmakers from the last contest are encouraged to enter but you must enter a different film this time. You may submit as many animated films as you like to this contest, however, you may not submit the same film(s) you submitted to the previous TAC.tv Animation Contest.

Aubagne International Film Festival supports the young cinematographic creation and musical creation related to picture. The festival has a feature and shorts competition. For features, the event screens first and second films of any genre that feature original music. For short films, the event screens first, second and third works running less than 30 minutes of any genre as long as the film presents original music or a particular treatment of the sound. For more information, visit www.cineaubagne.com.

From December 1-5 Autodesk will host a series of 3December events to celebrate 3D artists and their work. For the tenth consecutive year, these events provide Autodesk 3D software users with the opportunity to share their art, learn and network with their peers. 3December 2008 will include 3D art contests, live events in numerous cities around the world, and a virtual celebration on Autodesk's online user community -- the AREA. Autodesk will host live events on December 3 in London, Paris, Seoul, and Tokyo. Live events will also be hosted in New York City and Las Vegas on December 2 and Melbourne on December 5. In New York, free MasterClass Tips & Tricks sessions for Autodesk Maya, Autodesk 3ds Max and Autodesk Mudbox software will be offered by Derald Hunt and Erik Paynter from Turner Studios, renowned 3ds Max VFX artist Allan McKay, and Bill Harper from The Dreamhive. At the New York evening event, Harper will also offer a demonstration of Mudbox modeling techniques, while other high-profile artists will present tips and tricks for Maya and 3ds Max. The program line-up for the London event includes presentations by artists from Double Negative and The Mill. Registration is required for these events. For more information, or to register, visit: http://area.autodesk.com/3dec. Approximately ten Autodesk Animation User Group Association chapters will hold meetings in conjunction with 3December, including Los Angeles, New Jersey, and Oklahoma City. This year's Los Angeles meeting, at the Gnomon School of Visual Effects, features Blur Studio discussing the cinematic pipeline used to create Warhammer Online. The user group chapter in Oklahoma, based at Digital Tutors, also promises a stellar line up of guests for its meeting, including Greg Punchatz, senior creative director at Janimation. Autodesk's AREA community website will serve as an online venue for the weeklong celebration. The site will offer free content including, tutorials, demonstrations and show reels. With the support of HP, Intel, and Wacom, Autodesk will also offer videos and images of 3December events online. Artists can register to become a member of the AREA community free-of-charge year-round at http://area.autodesk.com. During 3December, Autodesk will launch two contests, which will run until the end of January 2009. The "Alien Landscapes" contest invites artists to use Maya, 3ds Max, Mudbox and/or Softimage|XSI software to design an alien landscape. The grand prize winner will receive an HP DreamColor LP2480zx Display, courtesy of HP and a Dual Quad Core Intel Xeon based HP xw8600 workstation, courtesy of Intel. The winner will also receive one license of Mudbox 2009 software, as well as his or her choice of one license of Maya Complete 2009, 3ds Max 2009 or Softimage|XSI software. To celebrate the event's tenth anniversary, the "3December Logo Design Challenge" requires artists to design a logo for 3December using Autodesk SketchBook Pro software. Among other requirements, the 2D design submitted must be transferrable to 3D and easily animated. The grand prize winner will receive a Wacom Cintiq 12 tablet, provided by Wacom. On December 1, more information, including contest terms and conditions, are to be available at http://area.autodesk.com/3dec.