The multi-Emmy-winning writer/producer Aaron Sorkin (AN AMERICAN PRESIDENT, WEST WING, A FEW GOOD MEN) will be among the speakers at the 2004 Maui Writers Conference at the Wailea Marriott Resort. The conference, now in its 12th year, is a four-day experience for both the novice and professional writer and screenwriter. The event hosts more than 100 sessions in all aspects of writing, publishing, landing an agent, all genres of fiction and non-fiction writing, screenwriting, travel writing, children's books, cookbook writing and marketing yourself and your work. Attendees also have an opportunity to network and pitch to more than 35 agents, editors and publishers from the major houses to boutique agencies, from New York to Los Angeles. For more information, visit www.mauiwriters.com or call (808) 879-0061.

The Yorkton Short Film & Video Festival, now in it's 57th year, is the longest running festival of its kind in Canada. Over the years, the festival has garnered an esteemed reputation as one of the country's top film and video festivals; a reputation that attracts outstanding entries and personalities from across Canada. Established in 1947 as the Yorkton Film Council, the first festival was held in 1950, making it Canada's first Short Film & Video Festival. The very first Golden Sheaf Award was introduced in 1958 and was presented to the most outstanding film entry in the festival. The Yorkton Short Film & Video Festival has undergone many changes since the first festival and is now celebrating more than 56 years of great shorts and currently presents Golden Sheaf Awards in 17 genre categories, 10 craft awards categories, cash and specialty awards. The festival is held every spring and includes: Canada's Golden Sheaf Awards, mini cinema, workshops and social events. For more information contact the festival at 49 Smith Street East, Yorkton, Saskatchewan, Canada S3N 0H4; tel.: (306) 782-7077; fax: (306) 782-1550; e-mail: info@yorktonshortfilm.org; or Web: www.yorktonshortfilm.org.

Zoie Films Festival is open to feature films, film shorts, documentaries, animations, music videos and mixed media projects utilizing innovative techniques. A media panel judges all entries and winning films are showcased online via special screenings available at high-speed Internet connections. Zoie Films utilizes the latest encryption technology to present the finest quality streaming programs. Zoie Films Festival presents certificates, prizes and awards in animation, drama, comedy, action and new media forms. Founded by Victoria Lynn Weston in 1996, Zoie Films Festival is an exclusive online film festival dedicated to the development of independent artists and exploring innovative exhibitions of their work. The early deadline is December 1, 2003. For more information, contact e-mail: info@zoiefilms.com or Web: www.ZoieFilms.com.

The Emmys are the Academy of Television Arts & Science highest awards. The Daytime Emmy Awards has been honoring excellence in all fields of daytime television production for 32 years. The Emmy is awarded in 58 categories, including acknowledgements for series, performers and all other technical and creative areas of production. Each year the office of the Daytime Emmy Awards processes more than 5,000 entries and more than 3,000 voter registration forms, culminating with a televised show that pays tribute to the exceptional work of daytime television's elite. For more information, visit www.emmyonline.org/emmy/daytime.html.

The Association of Independent Commercial Producers (AICP) presents the 14th year of the AICP Show, which honors the craft of commercial filmmaking and the professionals whose collaborations contribute to the outstanding results. Established in 1992, in cooperation with The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York, the AICP Show recognizes excellence in 24 categories of commercial film production, focusing on artistry and technical expertise. The honored commercials are made part of the permanent archives of MoMA

The 12th 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 2005 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. The early deadline is June 15, 2005. For more information, visit www.austinfilmfestival.com.

Digital Entertainment & Media Expo is a trade conference dedicated to digital entertainment. Anne Sweeney, president, Disney-ABC Television Group, and Jean-Charles Hourcade, sevp/cto, Thomson, will be among the keynote speakers from companies such as, Playboy Enterprises, TiVo Inc, XM Radio and Nielsen Media Research. This two-day event will be held at the Hyatt Regency Century City Plaza.

Other featured speakers at the event include industry leaders such as Gregg Spiridellis (ceo, Jib Jab), David Goodman (president of marketing, Infinity Broadcasting), Courtney Holt (head of new media & strategic marketing, Interscope Geffen A&M Records), Stacy Jolna (svp/gm, TV Guide Television Group), Ric Harris (head of new media, NBC Universal), Thomas Hesse (president global digital business group, SONY BMG Music Entertainment), Andrew Susman (president/ceo, Studio One Networks), Cyriac Roeding (vp, wireless, CBS Television/ Digital Media), Cuneo Paula (senior manager, corporate alliances & business development, Activision Inc.), Jay Frank (head of programming and label relations, Yahoo! Music) and Steve Lanzano (evp/gm, MPG) and many other luminaries.

The Digital Media & Entertainment Expo is sponsored by three of VNU Exposition

The DIY Film Festival honors films from the growing field of cutting edge, do-it-yourself storytelling. Dramatic, documentary, animation, student and comedy feature and short films made after Jan. 1, 2002 and shot in DV, Beta, HDTV, 16mm or 35mm will be considered. All entries must be created using commonly-available tools of independent filmmaking without financing from a major film studio or corporate backer. Submitted films will be judged by a panel of industry experts using the following criteria: 1) The filmmaker's ability to tell an interesting and amusing story. 2) The unique use of DIY marketing resources in making and marketing the film. For more information, visit www.diyconvention.com.

More than 500 professionals from the entertainment, music, video, new media and film industries along with people working in related fields, are expected to attend the 2005 Global Entertainment and Media Summit (GEMS) at Tripeg Studios from 10:00 am to 7:00 pm.

The goal of the 2005 Global Entertainment and Media Summit is to create new opportunities, foster collaboration, facilitate change in the industry by providing a productive forum to share ideas and new distribution concepts and bring together visionary leaders from the music, film and media industries. GEMS will feature seminars, workshops, clinics and keynote presentations by industry visionaries and leaders who are helping to shape and create the future of the entertainment industries. A few of the featured speakers at the event will include Michael Butler, producer of the musical HAIR, Lee Abrams, vp of programming, XM Satellite Radio and Lloyd Kaufman, Troma Ent. and author of MAKE YOUR OWN DAMN MOVIE.

Admission is $40 per person until Oct. 13 and $60 at the door. Along with the workshops, the two full days of networking with industry professionals and accomplished industry leaders also includes entertainment sprinkled throughout the event from live musicians, fashion shows, game show mania and stand up comedy. Attendees will also be able to showcase their music or video at one of the GEMS viewing stations.

Tripeg Studios is located at 2155 State Street. The studios phone number is (203) 603.9386. To learn more about Tripeg Studios, visit www.tripegstudios.com. For more the event or to register online, visit www.gemsconnecticut.com or call (860) 518-1761.

The Guangzhou International Animation & Comic Exhibition is an official stage for the animation and cartoon industry to establish industry connections, strengthen the industry, standardize the protection of intellectual properties and popularize healthy animation and comic culture. The event will combine an exhibition, trade show and competition. For fans, the event will feature showcases of hot properties, workshops and Cosplay. For more information, visit www.toprepute.com.cn.