On behalf of the Game Developers' Association of Australia, convenor of the Game Connect: Asia Pacific (GCAP), it is our pleasure to invite you to join us in Brisbane from Wednesday November 19 through Saturday November 22, 2008, to participate in "Game On -- Seriously!" Representatives from the Asia Pacific region's game development industry will converge in Australia once again to focus on industry improvement, investment, advancement and growth. GCAP 08 will deliver a stimulating technical program that features leaders in the field of game development who will present new knowledge and thinking covering a wide range of disciplines and topics. Deadline for submission of abstracts on Tuesday July 8, 2008. Authors will be advised of abstract acceptance on Tuesday August 19, 2008. GCAP 08 is now accepting abstract submissions from leading industry members of the games, IT, interactive entertainment, and film and sound industries. Some of the main topics of GCAP 08 will be online, mobile and casual games, serious games, along with technological developments including latest server technologies. GDAA is also looking for presentations and workshops in the fields of online, mobile and casual games, serious games in defense, education and simulation, technological developments, game development, writing and scripting, project management, business modeling and marketing, finance and investment, and skills and recruitment. If you are interested in presenting at the conference please follow the submission guidelines on the website. Your submission will then be reviewed by the program committee and should you be successful you will be allocated a session according to the content and success of your submission after your official confirmation. For more information on the call for presenters and submission of abstracts go to www.gameconnectap.com.au/speak.html. Game developers, publishers, distributors and investors should attend, along with interactive entertainment industry players and educators. Whether you're a programmer, project director, senior architect or designer, studio staff member, a new recruit or student, GCAP 08 offers tangible benefits. Specialist recruitment agencies and media will be in attendance and are also welcome. The event's primary focus is the improvement and advancement of the region's game developers, including Australia, New Zealand and the Asian territories (primarily Japan, Taiwan, Singapore, Korea, China, Hong Kong Vietnam, Philippines and New Zealand). GCAP 08 offers exclusive sponsorship opportunities which will enable your organization to access key contacts, demonstrate your support for and continued contribution to the games development sector. GCAP 08 provides the best platform for you to showcase, promote and/or launch new products and services. In sponsoring or exhibiting at GCAP 08 your organization is making a difference to the game development industry within Australia and the Asia Pacific, while at the same time it is enhancing its image as a responsible corporate supporter. Sponsoring or exhibiting at this prestigious event brings benefits not just to the attendees but also to your entire business on a local, national and international level. Go to https://www2.iceaustralia.com/ei/getdemo.ei?id=109&s=_30C118ED4 to register your interest in sponsoring and/or exhibiting at GCAP 08 and to receive the sponsorship and exhibition prospectus.

CSU School of Visual and Performing Arts is proud to announce that one of the true legends of the modern creative animation scene, Chris Landreth, is coming to Australia and heading to Wagga Wagga. This exclusive opportunity to meet the Oscar-winning director and see his work firsthand will simply leave anyone with the merest appreciation of the moving image astounded.

An Evening with Chris Landreth
Date: Monday, June 29
Time: 7:00 PM
Location: Forum 6 Cinema
Cost: $10
Oscar-winning director Chris Landreth personally presents his newest film, THE SPINE. Also features special screening of THE END, BINGO and RYAN with introductions and Q&A.

Chris Landreth Lecture: Psychologically-Driven Animation
Date: Tuesday, June 30
Time: 10:00 AM
Location: Charles Sturt University, Building 014, Room 209
(Download the CSU Wagga Campus map here: http://www.csu.edu.au/about/maps/pdfs/csu-wagga.pdf)
Cost: Free

Expanded seminar presentation going beyond the films and providing an invaluable insight to the world of computer graphics. This presentation is a preview of Landreth’s highly anticipated keynote at SIGGRAPH2009: http://www.siggraph.org/s2009/sessions/featured_speakers/

Important: The screening and lecture may contain mature content not suitable for children.

Oscar winning animation director Chris Landreth is one of the true legends of the contemporary creative animation scene. Landreth has been at the absolute forefront of computer animation development for a decade. His films -- THE END, BINGO and RYAN -- represented groundbreaking leaps in pushing technology to its limits to show the breadth of what animation was capable of depicting on the screen. Landreth was nominated for an Academy Award for THE END, with RYAN winning the Oscar for Best Short Animation in 2005. This seminar presentation will go beyond Landreth's films and provide insight into his successful marriage of creativity and technology. Landreth will talk about "Psychorealism", the use of art and animation to depict the realism of one's emotional and spiritual state. He explores the "Uncanny Valley" (the "creepy" effect experienced when CGI characters are too realistic, leading to a feeling of revulsion in the viewer) and how his latest film THE SPINE attempts to avoid this problem. He also shows how his animators used a Method-acting approach to nick subtle gestures, ticks, and micro-expressions in their characters' faces and bodies, and explains how his crew balanced realism and stylization to create characters who are Uncanny in a positive way. Landreth's talk will be followed by a Q&A. University of Technology, Sydney Faculty of Design, Architecture and Building, 3rd Floor, Lecture Theatre 322 702 - 730 Harris Street ( next to the ABC) Cost : Free 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Details: http://www.dab.uts.edu.au/ Transport UTS is only ten minutes walk from Central Station, Eddy Avenue and Railway Square bus stops. Parking is available for those with a disability or special need to drive: Peter Johnson Building, Basement Car Park, 702-730 Harris St. Ultimo.

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.

Now in our 7th year, CSU Animation and Visual Effects are proud to present the Australian International Animation Festival 2010. The internationally renowned event has gone from strength to strength since its modest start in 2004 and this year has secured amazing exclusives from more than 2,200 submissions from over 40 countries. The range of styles, genres and techniques is testament to the vibrancy and relevance of creative animation and the premiere screening of this highly acclaimed collection is happening right here in Wagga Wagga!

The International Competition programs are made up of an eclectic mix of films and will give audiences a complete, up-to-date snapshot of the international creative animation scene. In addition to these there are programs that focus on digital animating, stop motion, and Australian made films. Rounding out the line-up are programs for younger audiences and even a “Late Night Bizarre” program for those whose tastes lurch to the truly odd and unfathomable.

A series of free talks and workshops given by filmmakers from Australia and overseas will provide those with questioning minds a chance to learn more about how and why these films get made. Buy a Full Festival Pass and you’ll save over 60%, guarantee seating, be in the running for unbelievable prizes, see bonus films, network with key people, be invited to the after-party which includes complimentary food & drinks, and then some...

Door-prizes include full commercial versions of Adobe Creative Suite 5 Production Premium, Autodesk 3ds Max and Autodesk Mudbox worth over $7,000 in professional creative software!

Venue: Forum 6 Cinema
Date: Friday 14th – Sunday 16th May 2010
Cost: $12 Single Session or $35 Full Festival Pass
Only $5 for Kids Program

AIAF2010 Schedule

Friday 14th May
5:30pm - Doors Open
6:00pm - Official Opening & International Program #1
8:00pm - SIGGRAPH Wrap-Up

Saturday 15th May
2:00pm - Kids Screening (4-7 years old)
4:00pm - Animation 101 “Adventures In Ancient Animation”
5:00pm - Animation 102 “Blending Animation & Live Action”
6:00pm - Australian Panorama
8:00pm - International Program #2
9:30pm - Late Night Bizarre

Sunday 16th May
2:00pm - Kids Screening (4-7 years old) [Repeat]
4:00pm - Animation 103 “Lucy Izzard (UK) & Slinky Pics”
5:30pm - Animation 104 “Adobe CS5 in Action”
6:00pm - International Program #3
7:30pm - Digital Panorama

Important:
Please be aware that admission is restricted to 18+ (except for Kids & Official Opening /International Program #1). Film classification regulations in Australia require all films to either be formally classified or restricted to an audience of 18 years of age and over. Most festivals do not have the resources to do this and it for this reason alone that we are not able to admit any person under the age of 18 years to the main AIAF screenings.

Kids Program – Specifically programmed towards 4 – 7 year olds whilst still entertaining more mature patrons, this screening gives children the world’s best animation for a just $5! Pricing includes adults.

The workshops are free for anyone to attend but may contain mature content.

Tricky Women is an International Women's Animated-Film Festival dedicated to animation created by women. The festival offers:

"Tricky Women" is dedicated specifically to animations made by women. The international competition with the "Tricky Women Award of the City of Vienna" constitutes the main part of the festival. Country focuses, retrospectives, curated programmes, lectures and discussions offer the chance to look at animated films from a theoretical as well as practical perspective.

PROMAX&BDA Europe covers the European work being done in promotion, marketing and broadcast design. The Europe Awards recognize the excellent work of promotion, marketing and broadcast design professionals in electronic media. For more information, visit www.promax.tv/emea.

"Tricky Women" is specifically dedicated to animation made by women. The international competition with the "Tricky Women Award of the City of Vienna" constitutes the main part of the festival. Country focuses, retrospectives, curated programs, lectures and discussions offer the chance to look at animated films from a theoretical as well as practical perspective. For more information, visit www.culture2culture.at.

Each year the Brussels Cartoon and Animated Film Festival programs the "cr