Zlin Festival is one of the oldest festivals dedicated to films for children and youth. Films compete in six sections - film for children, for youth, animated film, European debuts, student films and films from Visegrad countries. The project is supported by the Czech Parliament and Ministry of Culture, the EU Media Programme and the International Visegrad Fund. Festival is held under the auspices the Czech UNESCO Commission and the Czech UNICEF Commission. For more information, visit www.zlinfest.cz.

The Zimbabwe International Film Festival (ZIFF) is back for its 9th edition. The event screens feature films, documentaries and short films from any genre. The films will be up for 11 coveted Mweya awards at the annual Closing Night ceremony on Saturday Sept. 2, 2006. In 2006, the festival will be bringing audiences in Harare, Chitungwiza and Bulawayo the best in world cinema. For more information, visit www.ziff.co.zw.

The ZEBRA Poetry Film Festival has given poetry its own international film festival, the festival itself becoming the most important forum for an independent art form fusing poetry, film and new media. THE PIT AND THE PENDULUM will be screened as one of the Zebra Poetry Film Festival's official selections, Oct. 9-12, 2008 in Berlin, Germany.

Zagreb: 18th World Festival of Animated Films is an ASIFA sanctioned competitive festival. The festival was formed in 1969 to encouraging creativity, which eschews pre-set patterns and ideas/notions/conceptions, and finds new ways of exploring the possibilities of film animation. Awards with cash prizes will be given as follows: grand prize, best first production, best student film, plus five special prizes and three special distinctions.

Deadline for films made in 2004 and 2005 is Dec. 15 2005. Deadline for films finished in January 2006 is Feb. 15, 2006. For more information, visit www.animafest.hr.

Zagreb: 17th World Festival of Animated Films is an ASIFA sanctioned competitive festival. The festival was formed in 1969 to encouraging creativity, which eschews pre-set patterns and ideas/notions/conceptions, and finds new ways of exploring the possibilities of film animation. Awards with cash prizes will be given as follows: grand prize, best first production, best student film, plus five special prizes and three special distinctions. For more information, visit www.animafest.hr.

Zagreb is perhaps the hidden gem that has survived through some terribly tough times and blows. Borivoj "Bordo" Dovnikovic supplies us with a history and look at Zagreb today. Click here!

ASIFA-Hollywood presents a specially selected program of great traditional animated short films from the Zagreb Film studio ranging from 1965 to 2002 showcasing the range of talents and styles this innovative studio is best known for. Films include PASSING DAYS (1969), ALBUM (1983), DIARY (1974), FISHEYE (1980), EXCITING LOVE STORY (1989). Starting at 3:00 pm, the event will take place at The American Film Institute, Ted Ashley/Warner Bros. Screening Room, 2021 N. Western Ave. The screening is free for ASIFA members and $10 for non-members.

A program of Yuri Norstein's films will screen during Annecy on June 9, 2005 at 10.30 am in the Espace 300 in the Bonlieu. The program includes 25TH -- THE FIRST DAY, BATTLE BY THE KERZHENETS, THE HERON AND THE CRANE, HEDGEHOG IN THE FOG, TALE OF TALES and a short introduction by Clare Kitson. After the show John Libbey and Kitson will be hosting a signing of their new book, YURI NORSTEIN AND TALE OF TALES: AN ANIMATOR'S JOUNREY at the Club des Partenaires.

ASIFA-East President David Levy (animation director BLUES CLUES) will lead a panel discussion on the state of the industry and how best to navigate your career path in animation. Panelists include:

* Sue Perrotto (Animation director: BEAVIS AND BUTTHEAD, BILLY AND MANDY, MEGAS XLR, etc.)
* David Steinberg (Producer: Bluth & Disney)
* Craig Bartlett (Creator: HEY ARNOLD!)

Levy will be signing copies of his new book as well.

Starting at 7:00 pm, the event will take place at the Glendale Public Library, 222 East Harvard Street, Glendale California, USA. The event is $10 for the general public and free for ASIFA-Hollywood members. For more information, visit www.asifa-hollywood.org.

WICM (Women in Children

On Friday, Jan. 26, 7:30 pm at the Museum of the Moving Image, David B. Levy, author of YOUR CAREER IN ANIMATION: HOW TO SURVIVE AND THRIVE will moderate a special industry panel. Speakers will include Traci Paige Johnson (BLUE'S CLUES co-creator), Alice Cahn (vp of programming, Cartoon Network), Ila Abramson (i spy recruiting) and Oscar nominees Michael Sporn and Bill Plympton. Book signing will follow the event. Admission is $10 per person, which includes museum admission. Arrive early and enjoy a day at the museum -- special half-price offer, two admissions for the same price of $10. Museum of the Moving Image is at 35th Ave. and 36th St. in Astoria, Queens (N or W subway). Please visit www.movingimage.us for details.