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 30th Flanders International Film Festival has introduced a new policy to encourage quality film distribution in Benelux. Money attached to the festival

The 10th Annual Austin Film Festival celebrates narrative and documentary films both in long and short form. The conference that accompanies the festival features panelists from the film industry who will discuss their experiences. First place winners receive: a cash prize of $1,000 (Feature Category) or $500 (Short and Student Short Categories); reimbursement (up to $500) of one round-trip airfare to Austin to attend the 2002 AFF; hotel accommodations at an AFF hotel (up to $500); a special Winners Night Screening at the Festival; the AFF Bronze Typewriter Award; and a special Los Angeles screening of their film for industry professionals. Short Films screened in competition at the Austin Film Festival are eligible to be nominated for an Academy Award. For more information contact film competition director Lisa Albracht at Lisa@austinfilmfestival.com or visit www.austinfilmfestival.com.

In keeping with its aim of promoting cin

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 Leipzig Festival is a well-attended festival with a program selection at a crossroad between East and West. Under its motto,

The 7th Hollywood Film Festival is a celebration of the art of film. The event features a three-day Hollywood conference from October 17-19, featuring networking with Hollywood pros. Each year top executives, producers, agents and others from such companies as Columbia/TriStar, Paramount, Walt Disney, Miramax, New Line, Fox Searchlight, the Samuel Goldwyn Co., NBC, Overseas Filmgroup, CAA, ICM, Metropolitan, William Morris, Writers & Artists, and many others, participate as panelists. From October 17-19, HFF screens the finalist features, documentaries and shorts. Festival parties and special events include an Opening Night Premiere and a Closing Night Premiere. The Hollywood Movie Awards Ceremony will take place Monday, October 20, 2003, at the Beverly Hilton Hotel. For more information contact the Hollywood Film Festival at 433 N. Camden Drive, Suite 600, Beverly Hills, California 90210, tel: (310) 288-1882, or visit www.hollywoodfilmfestival.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 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.