The 30th annual Aspen Filmfest will run September 24-September 28, 2008 in Aspen and Carbondale, Colorado. Award-winning features and documentaries from around the world will be showcased at the Wheeler Opera House and Isis Theatre in Aspen and the Crystal Theatre in Carbondale during five days of unforgettable films during the height of the Rocky Mountain fall season. Special events include a 55th anniversary screening of Disney's classic PETER PAN on Sunday at 3 p.m. on the Wheeler Opera House. This is an exclusive Colorado engagement of a film that has not been screened in theaters for more than 20 years. Among the films will be WALTZ WITH BASHIR (Israel/France/Germany), which garnered critical acclaim at the Cannes Film Festival as this animated documentary pieces together the director's past as a soldier in the 1982 Lebanese war. Screenings in Aspen take place at the Wheeler Opera House and the Isis Theatre and the Crystal Theatre in Carbondale. Tickets for Aspen Filmfest go on sale to the general public September 15. Call 970.920.5770 or visit www.aspenshowtickets.com, or Sounds Easy in Carbondale at 970.963.1303. The full schedule (with film descriptions) is online at www.aspenfilm.org.

The 5th Abuja International Film Festival and Market accepts films in the the following genres -- features, shorts, animation, experimental on video, 16MM, 35MM. There are no entry fees and the deadline for entry submission is June 30, 2008.

The Hit Makers Summit is a three day catered TV pitch crash course that takes place in Orlando, Florida. This summit, hosted by Mark and Jeanne Simon, founders of SellYourTVConceptNow.com, promises to have an incredible line up speakers and even more time to work with industry professionals one-on-one. The next Hit Makers Summit is September 20-22 and seats are limited to 30 people. This is a one-of-a-kind event where creators passionate about selling their shows come to sharpen their pitch skills with personal attention. The best idea for a TV show won't sell if you can't get to the right people and show them what they want to see. Perfect your pitch and look like a seasoned pro when you pitch your show. Create a Pitch Package That Sells a Concept: --Prepare those elements executives expect to see --Secrets to writing treatments that communicate the spirit of your show in your absence --Find out when having art in your package is absolutely necessary --How to find writers or artists who can capture the essence of your project for you --Find out how much information is too much and what is just right Perfect Your Pitch: --The greatest TV pitch strategies of all time are revealed --Practice pitch to experts and get expert critiques --Gain the confidence to pitch to anyone

The Los Angeles International Children's Film Festival is in September-October 2008. We produce an annual festival of more than 100 short films (animation, live action and documentaries) from around the world made for children and teens, plus animation and filmmaking workshops, at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art and other L.A. venues. Read more about us at www.lachildrensfilm.org If you would like to submit a film, send us an e-mail at lachildrensfilm@cox.net asking for an entry form.

Milano Film Festival was born in 1996 and after 13 years it has always kept his primary aim, that is to spotlight creative and talented young filmmakers from all over the world, remaining independent and offering an event open to everybody. At the same time the festival has "grown up" and got bigger, drawing more and more institutions' attention, from Milan's Municipality to the European Commission. Nowadays Milano Film Festival is an international film festival counting two official competitions, open to feature films and short films, and fourteen out-of-competition seasons. This year's program also includes out-of-competition section focusing on animation and a retrospective in director Terry Gilliam. Gilliam's body of work includes MONTY PYTHON AND THE HOLY GRAIL, TWELVE MONKEYS, FEAR AND LOATHING IN LAS VEGAS, THE BROTHERS GRIMM and the in-progress THE IMAGINARIUM OF DOCTOR PARNASSUS, known as late actor Heath Ledger's last uncompleted work. The film is scheduled for a 2009 release and will feature Johnny Depp, Colin Farrell and Jude Law all partially taking over Ledger's role of Tony. Focus on Animation represents a way to get closer to animation films which is gaining more and more interest towards the audience. Short film marathons by night, meetings, seminars and workshops with professionals from the sector and with the biggest animation schools in Europe will introduce festival-goers to the most recent animation films, and to the most innovative techniques and instruments. Delving into traditional styles and techniques, as well as into state-of-the-art technology of this ever-changing art.

Representatives from Second City, 24/7 Chicago, the Nude Hippo Show and the "Corporate Jester" will all be on hand to show how comedy and improv can become invaluable tools in your arsenal -- in the workplace and on the stage. Speakers include Anne Libera, Executive Artistic Director of Second City Training Centers & Education Programs, Jeff Rogers, owner of ZAP Creative Inc., Catie Keogh, host and executive producer of 24/7 Chicago, and Mariana Perin, Producer of The Nude Hippo Show.

DATE: Wednesday, September 10
TIME: 6:30 p.m.
PLACE: The Acting Studio Chicago, 10 W. Hubbard, Suite 2E Chicago, Illinois 60610
COST: WIFC members: $5, Non-members: $15
RSVP@WIFChiccago.org

Cascade ACM SIGGRAPH, Oregon and Southwest Washington's local SIGGRAPH chapter, today announced that renowned visual consultant Bruce Block will address the Portland community regarding his unique aesthetic theories behind visual structure and style. His lecture, based on his book, THE VISUAL STORY, will showcase intriguing visual examples of how these theories may be used within the direct planning and production of new projects, bridging the gap between theory and practice. The event will take place at the University of Oregon Portland Programs Center on Wednesday, September 10 at 6 p.m. With vast experience within the film production industry, Block is credited as an expert in nearly every phase of the cinematic arts. Block has directed, designed, photographed and edited all available formats for television, film, commercials, animation, IMAX and videogames. His credits include production and creative consulting for film such as THE HOLIDAY, ALFIE, AS GOOD AS IT GETS, STUART LITTLE, THE GREAT OUTDOORS and PRETTY IN PINK. As an adjunct professor at the University of Southern California's School of Cinematic Arts for the past 30 years, Block teaches graduate level classes in visual structure. His book, THE VISUAL STORY, now in its second edition, is used worldwide by students and professionals working in motion pictures, television, advertising and video game design. Block's seminars highlighting visual structure have been presented to companies including Pixar Studios, The Walt Disney Company, DreamWorks Animation, Nickelodeon Studios, Hasbro Interactive, Hewlett Packard, Blue Sky Studios, DirecTV and The Binger Film Institute. The evening will begin with a networking and social hour beginning at 6 p.m. at the University of Oregon Portland Programs Center. Light refreshments will be served. Block's lecture will begin promptly at 6:30 p.m. Attendees are asked to RSVP to cascadesiggraph@gmail.com for planning purposes. The University of Oregon Portland Programs Center is located in the White Stag Building at 70 NW Couch Street, in Downtown Portland. Public transportation is encouraged, as reserved parking will not be provided. Directions and additional paid parking information may be obtained here: http://pdx.uoregon.edu/?p=directions. This and other Cascade ACM SIGGRAPH events are free to Cascade SIGGRAPH Chapter members, with a $5 fee at the door for non-members. Annual local chapter memberships may be purchased at the door for $25 ($18 for students). For more information on Cascade ACM SIGGRAPH and membership registration, visit the Cascade ACM SIGGRAPH website at www.cascade.siggraph.org/.

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.

Programs in 2008 include Wavelengths, Sprockets Family Zone and Midnight Madness.

I've Seen Films International Short Film Festival, founded by actor Rutger Hauer, has announced its first edition will be held in 2008 in Milano, Italy. The festival is linked to the third edition of the online Tiscali Short Film Award (TSFA) competition. Hauer will personally present awards to the winning directors. Submission forms, Call for Entry document, and complete information regarding eligibility and entry rules and regulations are available at: www.cortoweb.it/icfilms or www.rutgerhauer.org/icfilms. I've Seen Films 2008 provides creators with added exposure by streaming their works on the Internet as part of the Tiscali Short Film Award event. An international audience will vote to select the best films for the Festival Competition. A jury of experts will bestow awards on the best films in their respective categories. This year, the jury is comprised of Richard Gere, Paul Verhoeven, Ridley Scott, Robert Rodriguez and Maestro Ludovico Einaudi.

The Telluride Film Festival is one of the premiere independent film festivals in the U.S. The event is open to professional and nonprofessional filmmakers working in all aesthetic disciplines; documentary, narrative, animation, experimental, etc. Features and shorts, of all styles and lengths are eligible for consideration, provided that they are new works and will remain unseen by the public until the event. Selected short films will play either with a feature or as part of specially selected programs. For complete information, visit www.telluridefilmfestival.org/.

Animated films include animated documentaries CHUCK JONES: MEMORIES OF CHILDHOOD from John Canemaker and WALTZ WITH BASHIR from Ari Folman.