MadCat International Women's Film Festival features independent and experimental works by women from around the world. MadCat is committed to showcasing women film and videomakers who challenge the use of sound and image and explore notions of visual storytelling. This year Madcat is embarking on its first touring festival with two programs of short films: Lost In Translation and Interior Worlds. All lengths and genres will be considered. Formats: Preview: 1/2" NTSC (VHS) standard preferred; Exhibition: 16mm, Super 8 film, VHS and 3/4". Entry Fees range from US$10.00 to $30.00 per entry (pay whatever you can afford!). No fee is requested for international entrants.

The Second Annual Ajijic Festival de Cine is inviting both students as well as professionals to submit their entries in the categories of animation, documentaries, independent and studio produced feature films, short subjects and screenplays. "The emphasis of this festival as it was with our inaugural effort last year, will be the celebration, discovery and recognition of talent from around the world," said James E. Lloyd, Chairman of the Festival's Board of Directors. For initial consideration by the Festival Jury, works must be received by July 15, 2000 and should be submitted on NTSC VHS video. Entries selected for inclusion in the festival will be screened in either 35mm or NTSC VHS video. Entry forms in English, Espa

Hollywood Shorts' 2nd Annual Animation Festival is holding a one-day festival to highlight animation shorts. Hollywood Shorts is a monthly short film festival that features shorts from the film festival circuit for the established Los Angeles film and television community. Submissions to the animation festival must be no longer than 20 minutes and sent in VHS/NTSC format for review. Both traditional and 3D animation is welcome. There is a US$10 entry fee and checks should be made out to "Kimberley Browning (HS)."

Tuesday, September 5

Cine-Clube de Avanca and the C

Rushes Post-production facility is hosting the second Rushes Soho Shorts Festival to showcase short film art. The festival screens 53 films in free screenings held in cafes, bars and cinemas across Soho. On August 3, the festival will hand out their awards. The five categories in this year's festival are: The Switch2.net Short Film Award for the best short film submitted by a professional filmmaker; The Sony ProMedia Newcomer Award; The Avid Softimage Titles & Idents Award; The Wam!Net Animated Short Award; and The Innovation TK Music Video Award. This year's list of judges include: Laurence Kaye (head of film, TV & multimedia, Universal Music Publishing Group), Eva Tarr Kirkhope (Metro Cinemas Ltd.), David Sin (director ICA Projects), Ken Ingles (director Film House, Edinburgh), Robert Campbell (Rainey Kelly Campbell Roalfe Y&R), Mike Cannaris (Mcasso Music), Dave Knight (Promo News), Trevor Beattie (TBWA), Adam Perry (Channel 5 Television), Gub Neal (head of Drama Channel 4 Television), Roger Shannon (BFI), Roger White (Music for Films), Patrick Uden (Uden Associates), John Hegarty (Bartle Bogle Hegarty), Ian Williamson & Jonathan Burley (HHCL), Clare Wilford and Bob Dorman (CGI Magazine). New to the festival this year will be a short filmmaking seminar held in conjunction with the New Producers Alliance on August 1. On-line screenings of selected films will air on Switch2.net.

The San Luis Obispo Festival and its George Sidney Independent Film Competition showcases art in independent filmmaking. The competition features categories for features, documentaries, animation and shorts (films less than 60 minutes). An award of US$500 is given in each category for first place, and second and third place winners receive an award of merit.

The Savannah College of Art and Design is presenting the Third Annual Savannah Film and Video Festival. The festival showcases the talents of up and coming filmmakers in every format from feature length films to shorts. The festival will offer a series of morning workshops, with evening showings of narrative, experimental, animated and feature films and videos. Industry insiders who give pointers on everything from special effects to selling a film present lectures and workshops.

Screenplay Deadline: August 20, 2000.

Student Film & Children Film Deadline: September 9, 2000. The Burbank International Children's Film Festival (BICFF) gives independent filmmakers a chance to showcase their work made for children. The festival's goal is to give independent filmmakers, animators, writers and young artists a prime location to support and acknowledge excellence in children's film and media from around the globe. On the opening night, the festival will feature a screenwriter showcase and give out their lifetime achievement award. Throughout the event, BICFF will host panels discussing topics like screenwriting, producing, financing, digital technology, directing and child actors. The categories include: films intended for children's audience up to 12 years of age, films produced by children for children under age 18, films created by students in an accredited film school, digital media for children's audience up to 12 years of age and screenplays.

The CMJ FilmFest coincides with the CMJ Music Marathon and MusicFest and highlights the synergy between the moving image and music. The film festival showcases independent films that creatively and effectively use music in film. Awards are given to best feature or documentary, best short and best use of music in film. The event is sponsored and organized by the ChangeMusic Network.