The ultimate Disney fan experience will connect guests with The Walt Disney Company in exciting new ways, from September 10-13, 2009 at the Anaheim Convention Center just across the street from Disneyland! Guests will enjoy exhibits, screenings, presentations and interactive experiences from every part of The Walt Disney Company. And please stay tuned!... the D23 Expo micro site, coming soon, will give up-to-the-second breaking news about the Expo, including ticket information and online ordering, the latest event information and everything you need to know about the ultimate Disney fan experience! Highlights of the D23 Expo will include: Keynote speakers: Some of The Walt Disney Company's most dynamic executives will be on hand to break news, including Disney President and CEO Bob Iger, Walt Disney Pictures Chairman Dick Cook, Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Chairman Jay Rasulo and John Lasseter, chief creative director, Walt Disney and Pixar Animation Studios! World Premiere Screenings: Get an early look at some of the Company's latest projects. Performances, Celebrities and a Fashion Show: Musical performances from chart-topping Disney talent will put some bounce in your step! Meanwhile, talent from Walt Disney Pictures films, ABC, Disney Channel, ESPN and more will be on hand for meet-and-greets. Need a little more fun? Disney Couture will debut its new line at a fabulous fashion show. 50 and Fabulous Film Festival: Check out three classic Disney films that all turn 50 this year, including DARBY O'GILL AND THE LITTLE PEOPLE, THE SHAGGY DOG and SLEEPING BEAUTY. Readings, Signing, and Q&As: Check out surprising gallery events, author appearances and signings and even a beautiful Disney Home to walk through. Film and TV Sneak Peeks: Check out exclusive clips from the latest films from Walt Disney Studios and watch some of ABC's new fall offerings. Eye-Popping Exhibits: The incredible experiences, exhibits and presentations at the Expo are another way D23 will connect fans to the timeless stories, characters and amazing worlds that we create here at Disney. Guests entering the main showroom floor of the recently renovated Convention Center will discover exciting pavilions from every part of The Walt Disney Company. Each will offer unique immersive experiences the whole family can enjoy. Parks and Resorts, Walt Disney Records, Disney Consumer Products, ABC, ESPN and Walt Disney Imagineering -- to name a few -- will all be featured. There will be surprising gallery events, author appearances and signings and even a beautiful Disney Home to walk through. Radio Disney will rock the Expo every day, and you can expect favorite Disney talent to make appearances throughout the event. (We hear there may even be a wedding!) Disney Dream Store: From pins and mouse ears to DVDs and music, there will be must haves for everyone at the largest Disney shopping experience ever created. Even more special, there will be limited edition collectibles on sale exclusively for D23 members. Fan Forum: Disney's biggest fans are invited to participate in all the action. There will be an entire convention hall for everyone to show off their collections and sell their Disney treasures. Admission to the D23 Expo will be $37 per person for a one-day ticket; $111 for a four-day pass (4th day free). Admission for D23 members will be $30 per person for a one-day ticket; $90 for a four-day pass (4th day free). Tickets will be available at Disney.com/D23. Remaining tickets will be available for purchase at the entrance to the D23 Expo. Tickets will go on sale this spring. Check the D23 Web site for more information. Members will be alerted the day tickets go on sale.

With the program finalized, the UTS: Sydney International Animation Festival's co-director has given you five great reasons to attend: 1. THE SPINE by Oscar-winner Chris Landreth (Canada), where the brittle, complex collection of personalities within a counseling group populate a 'family' which critiques the lop-sided gifts and sacrifices of an unusual couple. (Winner: "Best Of Fest" Melbourne International Animation Festival) This is an exclusive chance for Sydney audiences to see this film. 2. I AM SO PROUD OF YOU, by Don Hertzfeldt (USA): Bill's life and family history are filled with bad luck, illness and tragedy. And humour! The latest animated wonder from the frenetic pen of one of the animation world's stars. (Winner: "Audience Award -- Best In Program" Melbourne International Animation Festival) 3. LIFE WITHOUT GABRIEL FERRI by Estonian master Priit Parn: experience a dramatic story about love, locked doors, a faceless thief, a wounded stork, a lost laptop and the O'Key sisters who turn out to be virtual prostitutes. The pinpoint of light in the distance may just prove to be that of an approaching happy ending. (Exclusive to UTS: SIAF 09) 4. CHAINSAW, by Dennis Tupicoff (Australia). Frank and Ava Gardener "star" in a chainsaw safety film, and love the rodeo. But now, ten years later... Romance is like a chainsaw: a very dangerous beast indeed. (Grand Prix-Oberhausen International Short Film Festival 2008; Grand Prix and Critics Prize-Huesca International Film Festival 2008; Nelvana Grand Prize and Best Narrative Short -- Ottawa International Animation festival; Finalist AFI and Dendy Awards) 5. Hear visiting guest Claire Kitson, former Commissioning Editor of Animation for the UK's Channel 4, as she presents some British gems and signs her latest book, BRITISH ANIMATION: THE CHANNEL 4 FACTOR. If that's not enough, visit www.siaf.uts.edu.au to see the full program.

The Woodstock Museum is hosting its 10th film/video festival with the theme of "Change." The festival screens completed features, documentaries, shorts and works in progress. All genres including animation and digital media; everything must be in English (or with English subtitles). Submission formats can be DVD (NTSC and PAL), DV, DVCAM, VHS, S-VHS, Hi-8 or BETA SP.

Supporting materials include: description of piece, autobiography, resume and artist statement. $60 entry, $24 entry for shorts (up to 30 minutes). The early entry deadline is April 1, the regular deadline is July 22 and the late deadline is August 5, 2009. Entries before January 20 are free, half price until April 1, regular entry until July 22 and late double entry until August 5. Student entry is half-price.

Fees cover public relations package including audience critiques for selected entries. SASE for return of entries. Woodstock Museum, P.O. Box 73, Woodstock, NY 12498, 845-246-0600 Information:www.WoodstockMuseum.org or email:hello@WoodstockMuseum.com.

The free festival will be held at Woodstock Town Hall, 76 Tinker St., in Woodstock, New York over Labor Day Weekend.

The festival is conceived and organised by the cultural association A.I.A.F. (Asolo International Art Festival). Starting with the 28th edition A.I.A.F will work together with the Gallery San Fedele in Milano. The contest is divided into six sections: -- Films On Art for works on art; -- Artist's Biographies for works of historical reconstruction and critical interpretation on personalities from the world of art and music; -- Films On Architecture & Design for works on architecture, urbanism and design relating to history, movements, main personalities, works and projects; -- Video Art & Computer Art for works using electronics or computer technologies as a method of direct artistic expression; -- Productions By Schools Of Cinema related to art and music, produced by schools of cinema, specialized higher education institutes and universities; -- Harmony And Territory documenting works for the harmonious development of the territory and its contradictions, increasing the value of potential and resources with respect for culture and the environment. Only works produced after January 1, 2007 are eligible for the contest. The works must fall into one of the six sections previously described and it must be indicated on the entry-form. The selection committee reserves the right to move a work to another section, if it seems to fit more appropriately. The participation is free of charge.

Influential animator and visual effects artist Adam Beckett will be celebrated by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences with a special program entitled "Infinite Animation: The Work of Adam Beckett," on Monday, August 17, at 8 p.m. at the Linwood Dunn Theater in Hollywood. The evening will include a screening of "Life in the Atom," a short film that Beckett left unfinished when he died at the age of 29. Presented by the Academy's Science and Technology Council and hosted by visual effects artist Richard Winn Taylor and Beckett biographer Pamela Turner, the program also will feature screenings of six more of Beckett's films and an onstage panel discussion with his colleagues and friends. Scheduled guests include Oscar-winning visual effects artists David Berry and Richard Edlund, animator Chris Cassady, and filmmakers Beth Block, Roberta Friedman and Pat O'Neill. The films to be screened are "Dear Janice" (1972), "Heavy-Light" (1973), "Evolution of the Red Star" (1973), "Flesh Flows" (1974), "Sausage City" (1974) and "Kitsch in Synch" (1975), all of which have been recently restored by the Academy Film Archive and the iotaCenter. Beckett (1950-1979) was well known for his unique use of the optical printer in conjunction with the animation stand. His technical achievements can be seen in his highly experimental art films as well as such commercial films as "Star Wars" (1977), for which he was recruited to head the rotoscope and animation department, and the horror film "Piranha" (1978), on which he worked as an animator. Beckett completed the films to be screened while he was still a student in Jules Engel's then-newly-formed experimental animation program at the California Institute of the Arts. His work, which has been described as "a masterful visual universe," had a great impact on his peers and won awards at numerous film festivals. In 1974, Beckett started his own studio, Infinite Animation, which he continued to run while simultaneously pursuing his MFA and teaching at CalArts. Tragically, he died in a fire in 1979. This program is presented in conjunction with the iotaCenter. Tickets to "Infinite Animation: The Work of Adam Beckett" are $5 for the general public and $3 for Academy members and students with a valid ID. Tickets are available for purchase by mail, at the Academy box office (Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.), or online at www.oscars.org. Doors open one hour prior to the event. All seating is unreserved. The Linwood Dunn Theater is located at 1313 Vine Street in Hollywood. For more information, call (310) 247-3600 or visit www.oscars.org.

The second annual Downtown Film Festival - Los Angeles (DFFLA), the only dedicated film festival in the historic core of the Entertainment Capital of the World, will be held August, 12-22, 2009. The festival doubles in size to 10 days from last year's inaugural event with a series of film screenings of Hollywood, independent and classic films, lectures, panel discussions, exhibits, and parties and receptions, all celebrating downtown L.A.'s renaissance. Filmmakers may submit films for screening consideration beginning today and until the final deadline of July 15. Feature narrative and documentary films, as well as short films are eligible for consideration. Additional information about submissions can be found on the festival's website: www.dffla.com. The 2009 Downtown Film Festival is being presented by the AT&T Center, arts>Brookfield Properties and the GRAMMY Museum at L.A. Live!, with additional sponsors to be announced in the coming weeks. The festival will be headquartered at LBA Realty's AT&T Center (formerly, the Transamerica Center) in downtown L.A.'s exciting South Park district. In addition to providing the festival's main screening venue, (a newly renovated 500-seat theater with state-of-the-art video projection equipment), the AT&T Center will be the location of the festival's 5,000-square-foot Cinema Lounge, located on the southwest corner of the AT&T Center at Olive and 12th St. The Cinema Lounge at the AT&T Center will be a beehive of activity during the festival that will include nightly parties and receptions, panel discussions and art exhibitions as well housing the festival box office. The GRAMMY Museum, located at L.A. Live!, will partner with the festival to present a series of music documentary films and live musical performances at The Museum. Roger M. Mayer will serve once again as the festival's programming director. In addition to the aforementioned programming, the festival will premiere a variety of Hollywood and independently produced feature films, documentaries and shorts. Special programming will include a film series spotlighting American-Latino filmmakers, a screening paying homage to downtown L.A.'s Silent Era history, and a showcase of movies by filmmakers living in Downtown L.A. For more information, visit the festival's website: www.dffla.com.

The "real" physics behind some of Hollywood's most famous action, science fiction and superhero scenes will be revealed when the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences presents "When Worlds Collide: The Science of Movies," on Thursday, August 6, at 7:30 p.m. at the Samuel Goldwyn Theater in Beverly Hills. Presented by the Academy's Science and Technology Council, the program will be hosted by author Adam Weiner (DON'T TRY THIS AT HOME! THE PHYSICS OF HOLLYWOOD MOVIES) and will feature film clips and in-depth conversation with Oscar-winning visual effects artists Robert Legato ("Titanic") and Scott Stokdyk ("Spider-Man 2"), Oscar-nominated visual effects artists Shane Mahan ("Iron Man") and Matt Sweeney ("Apollo 13"), and stunt coordinator and second unit director Dan Bradley ("The Bourne Ultimatum"). Physics concepts will be used to analyze scenes from several films, including "2001: A Space Odyssey," "Speed," "Apollo 13," "Titanic," "The Bourne Ultimatum," "Spider-Man 3" and "The Dark Knight." Weiner currently writes about science and popular culture for Popular Science magazine online and teaches physics at The Bishop's School, a private high school in La Jolla, California. Established in 2003 by the Academy's Board of Governors, the Science and Technology Council provides a forum for the exchange of information, promotes cooperation among diverse technological interests within the industry, sponsors publications, fosters educational activities and preserves the history of science and technology of motion pictures. Tickets to "When Worlds Collide: The Science of Movies" are $5 for the general public and $3 for Academy members and students with a valid ID. Tickets are available for purchase by mail, at the Academy box office (Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.), or online at www.oscars.org. Doors open one hour prior to the event. All seating is unreserved. The Samuel Goldwyn Theater is located at 8949 Wilshire Boulevard in Beverly Hills. For more information call (310) 247-3600 or visit www.oscars.org.

Anime Festival Orlando is excited to announce the exciting conclusion of "The Swords of Orlandia". "Swords of Orlandia" is the story behind AFO's Interactive Convention Experience. The talented writing staff has crafted an original story/game in which attendees can voluntarily participate all weekend long. Throughout the event there are "character cut scenes", side quests and plenty of leveling up that even casual fans of Live Action Role-playing will enjoy. "With the popularity of role playing games such as 'Kingdom Hearts', 'Final Fantasy' and 'World of Warcraft' we've found this theme to be an overwhelming success for the past two years," states event coordinator Karen Trudeau. This year, Anime Festival Orlando has the privilege to announce their guests of honor: Reuben Langdon, Vic Mignogna, Aaron Dismuke, Chris Sabat, Colleen Clinkenbeard, Sonny Strait, Doug Smith, Jason David Frank and Robert Axelrod. "One of things that makes AFO 'Florida's Favorite Anime Convention' is that many of our guests take an active role in our theming and events throughout the weekend," said Karen Trudeau. "We're really excited about the panels and workshops that have been suggested by the guests themselves." New events for Anime Festival Orlando 10 include Whack-a-Nerd for Charity and Wasabi Anime's Cross Play Rally Race. There will also be fan favorite events such as Happy Happy Cosplay Go Go Go and the traditional fare offered at anime conventions. AFO is a multi-day celebration of all things related to Japanese animation and pop culture held at the Wyndham Orlando Resort July 31, August 1 and August 2, 2009. Ticket prices are only $45.00 for an adult 3-day membership badge, $25.00 for a Friday or Sunday Only wristband and $30.00 for a Saturday Only wristband. Growing in attendance nearly 20% each year since its inception in 2000, Anime Festival Orlando has earned the title of "Florida's Favorite Anime Convention" as well as being voted one of the "Top 10 Things To Do In Orlando" by DK Publishing's Travel Guide. For more information about Anime Festival Orlando, please visit http://www.animefestivalorlando.com/

Comic-Con International is the largest gathering of comic book, science fiction, film and television fans in the nation. Featuring celebrity guests, seminars on breaking into filmmaking and near 24-hour film retrospectives. Comic-Con is the place for fans of all things pop culture. For more information, visit www.comic-con.org.

The 13th LA Shorts Fest is the largest short film festival in the world. Academy of Motion Pictures Arts & Sciences accredited. In past years, 33 participants have earned Academy Award nominations including 11 Oscar winning short films. The festival annually attracts more than 10,000 moviegoers, filmmakers and entertainment professionals looking for the hottest new talent. We have honored some of Hollywood's legends of the past: Charles Chaplin, Harold Lloyd, and Robert Wise; along with actors Martin Landau, James Woods, Gary Oldman and directors Tim Burton, Bryan Singer, Jan de Bont, Paul Haggis and Shane Black. Submit online at www.LAshortsFest.com.