The 4th Annual Short Pictures International Film Festival (SPIFF) is a biennial event that showcases the best in short film. Categories include live-action fiction, animation, documentaries, spec commercials, and digital and experimental works (15 minutes or less). Past filmmakers' works have been selected by Cannes Film Festival, Just for Laughs Comedy Festival, HBO/Cinemax, Independent Features Channel and World Animation Celebration. In 1998, Corky Quakenbush's CLOPS III won the animation category. A portion of SPIFF's proceeds are donated to either domestic or international children's charities.

The National Film Board of Canada is holding an open house of their new facilities. The event gives the public a chance to meet the filmmakers and staff. The NFB will feature screenings, studio tours and receptions on Monday from 2-6 pm and on Tuesday from 10 am - 5 pm. Screening facilities will be available for visitors to screen their own work as well.

Objectif Image Saint Gely presents the 15th annual Saint Gely Short Film Festival. The festival's categories are documentary, fictional-dramatic, animation and experimental. Past festival chairmen have been Jean Pierre Mocky in 1998 and Claude Pinoteau in 1999.

The Chicago International Children's Films Festival (CICFF) is the largest competitive festival for children's films and videos in North America. The festival programs over 200 live-action and animated features and shorts made for children 3-13 years old. The objective is to recognize high artistic achievement in the area of children's entertainment. CICFF's goal is to nurture a positive image of children. The event is sponsored by Facets Multi-Media Inc., a non-profit organization dedicated to programming and distributing international film, video and theatre. For more information contact CICFF at:

The Montreal International Festival of New Cinema & New Media (FCMM) will screen 72 features, 93 shorts and 50 new media presentations in a celebration of cutting edge filmmaking. Besides the screenings the event will hold tributes and seminars including a salute to animators Mich

The Independent Film Project/Midwest is holding their ninth annual conference to highlight independent filmmaking in the Midwest region of the United States. On Saturday, the conference will hold E-Cinema Expo, which will be devoted to DV, HD and Internet-based filmmaking. On Saturday evening, The Flyover Zone Film Festival will showcase short subjects created by IFP/Midwest members or in the "Flyover Zone" (i.e. the Midwest). During the festival, the IFP/Midwest will announce the recipient of this year's Independent Production Fund grant. Annually, IFP/Midwest takes submissions for a new film project from members and the winner receives US$40,000 to help in the production of the short film. The conference will feature independent feature premieres and various panel discussions.

This year, Clermont-Ferrand Short Film Festival will be featuring its 13th international competition and 23rd French competition. Filmmakers and buyers can also take advantage of the short film market, which attracts more than 50 TV channels, 50 distributors and 60 international festival organizers. Last year's competition saw films from 44 countries. The 2001 addition will feature programs on South Korea, S & M and Fetish Films, Hitchcock, Spain, African Perspectives and a Children's Programme.

Glendale Community College is presenting an evening with Frank Gladstone, who has worked as a professional animator, producer, director, writer and teacher for more than 25 years. Currently, he is head of artistic development at DreamWorks, SKG Animation. Gladstone will go through a step by step critique of the Charlie Chaplin film CITY LIGHTS to determine "what makes a great film great." He will look into the effects of lighting, intensity, background interest, etc., along with a good story. This screening will be the first in a series of classic films that will become part of the "Animation Lecture Series," as good animated films have all the same qualities as a live-action film. The event will have a US$5 admission price and will take place from 7 - 9:30 pm.

The Victoria Independent Film & Video Festival's goal is to highlight the work of talented burgeoning filmmakers. This year's event will feature a tribute to Canadian animation studio, International Rocketship. Three-days of the festival will be devoted to animation, including an intensive animation workshop. Over 130 features and shorts in narrative, animation, documentary and experimental will be screened at the 10-day festival.

The British Academy of Film and Television Arts has moved their awards to before the American Academy's Oscar ceremony. The British Academy offers a short animated film award. To be eligible the films must be completed between January 1, 2000 and December 31, 2000. Films to be completed after the October 31 deadline must contact Katie Hart at the Academy to set up a submission date.