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.

The 2nd Berlinale Talent Campus brings together filmmakers from all over the world to help young filmmakers get passionate about the art form. In 2004, the six-day series of events explores the five stages of creating a film: philosophy, pre-production, production, post-production and promotion. The program will touch on essential elements of movies such as

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 3rd. Visual Effects and Animation Conference is the only event around the animation and
visual effects community in Mexico. Speakers from USA, Spain and Mexico will be presenting the best projects around these areas of creation. FX FESTIVAL 2003: Submission deadline for short animated films will be on October 17th. Check more details on www.congresofx.com.

The Museum of Modern Art is holding two exhibitions

The 1st Annual San Francisco World Film Festival is designed to not only showcase a diverse variety of films from around the world, but also spotlight solutions to world issues as seen through the eyes of filmmakers. The World Solutions segment of the festival features films dealing with solutions to any issue that affects the world. Each show will address solutions. The Marketplace is focused on exploring the revolution that Digital Technologies are bringing to the film industry. Areas of discussion include: how Digital Technologies affect filmmaking today and its future potential, how to make a film using only video technology, and how it's affecting the viewing experience of the general public. The Marketplace will be held at the Palace Of Fine Arts on Thursday October 23. The international event hosts 32 films, including several world premieres. Participating countries include the Czech Republic Japan, Columbia, France Ireland, UK. Italy and Australia. Vicky Jensen

The China Cartoon Industry Forum focuses on the market, integrating the multi-industry resources and bringing in financial investment to China

Since its inception in 1998, the Savannah Film Festival has focused on enriching and educating an expanding audience, while promoting quality independent films and filmmakers. The festival features more than 50 films selected from more than 600 entries in the categories of feature, short, animation, documentary and student competition. The featured screenings represent a variety of independent filmmakers, while a cross section of workshops, lectures, receptions and special events gives the festival participants an opportunity to meet colleagues active in all areas of film production. For more information visit www.scad.edu/filmfest/intro/intro.htm.

Artists Helping Artists (AHA!) and THE CREATIVE LINE magazine will be holding an AHA! artists gatherings. This AHA gathering is free. The meeting is a safe space where artists, musicians, writers, arts educators and community arts leaders can make new contacts and share and align their creative visions and projects. It

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