This conference, sponsored by Teen Screen KidScreen, is about effectively marketing to youth. Concurrent panels in both Kid & Teen tracks will focus on: The Importance of Branding; Media Planning & Buying; Effective Media Outlets; Effective Internet Marketing Strategies; Producing Breakthrough Creative; Creating and Executing Breakthrough Promotion and more.

VFX 2000 will highlight the growing industry of visual effects. The conference is a biennial event sponsored by BKSTS (Moving Image Society) and the Visual Effects Society. This year's event will showcase developments in the areas of digital cinema and large format films. Filmmaker seminars will include Aardman Animations' Dave Sproxton and Tom Barnes on CHICKEN RUN; The Mill's John Nelson on GLADITOR; and The Secret Labs' Neil Krepela, Neil Eskuri and Mike Belzer on DINOSAUR. Other seminars will deal with topics such as the history of matte painting, digital intermediate systems, puppeteers in the 21st century, desktop visual effects, models vs. 3D and much more.

In conjunction with the Ottawa International Animation Festival, ASIFA will hold its general assembly and election of its new executive board. For the first time the event will be held in North America. Members are asked to attend the assembly and vote for the board after hearing each of the 21 candidates' speeches. Votes may be cast for 8-12 of the candidates to make up the new board. A picnic will directly follow the meeting. ASIFA members not attending the festival can vote via a mail-in ballot.

Women in Animation presents an animation writing seminar featuring Christy Marx, writer on such series as SPIDER-MAN, G.I. JOE and TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES, as keynoter. In a morning panel on the writing process, Marx; Hilary Bader, Jeffrey Scott, Brooks Wachtel, and the team of Bobbi and David Weiss will discuss the writing process. An afternoon workshop will present WIA voice-over actors reading winning material from a script competition operated in conjunction with the seminar, and panelists Jack Enyart, Shari Goodhartz, Martha Moran and Marlowe Weisman will furnish feedback. The final seminar, moderated by Sarah Baisley, editor in chief of Animation Magazine, will be composed of creative directors, story editors and agents who will explore the ways animation writers can cope with today's turbulent marketplace. Admission prices are US$40 general, $20 WIA members, $15 nonmember students and $10 member students. Registration will begin at 9 am. To RSVP, call the WIA hotline: (310) 535-3838.

The Animation Writers Caucus of the WGA is hosting renowned animator Tom Sito for its September Schmooze. Tom Sito is a 25-year veteran of animation production. His credits include the Disney classics THE LITTLE MERMAID, THE LION KING, BEAUTY & THE BEAST and ALADDIN. Currently, he is co-directing OSMOSIS JONES for Warner Bros. Sito also is president of the Screen Cartoonists Union Local 839, where he is an outspoken champion for the rights of animation writers and artists. The event starts at 7 pm. Come early to get good seats.

visions2000 celebrates everything that makes up animated theatre. Promoted by the University of Brighton, the festival features performances, film screenings, exhibitions and workshops for both adults and children. The festival tours to various locations around the U.K. including Birmingham, Bracknell, Ludlow, Oxford, Portsmouth, Walsall, Walton on Thames, Jersey and Kent. Brighton will also host a multi-media exhibition of U.K. animated pop promos and puppetry. "Puppets in Pop" showcases contemporary animated icons such as Flat Eric, the legendary dancing milk carton from Blur's award winning video "Coffee + TV" and Supergrass' "Pumping on your Stereo" video. The event will also feature designs, storyboards, stills, show reels and soundscapes from companies such as Henson's Creature Shop, Hammer & Tongs and Skint Records. Other exhibitions include Rutter & Bennett's larger than life Circus sculptures and Manic Mechanics by Johnny White. Other visions events include: "Talking Puppets in Pop," a talk leading animators from the music industry; "Blunderbus Tour," a children's theatre company that takes puppetry to hospital wards, schools and play groups; and "Future visions," a day for venue promoters featuring companies using innovative puppetry techniques or taking animated theatre to new audiences in new locations.

Toonz

iMIX 2.0 is the interactive television industry's professional event, focusing on issues such as technology, licensing, advertising, privacy, community-building and non-linear content creation. iMIX Executive Conference takes place from October 10-11 and the iMIX Developers Conference and Expo from October 12-13, 2000. Executive Conference keynote addresses will be delivered by reps from AT&T and Echostar Communications. The event will include seminars and case studies. Developers Conference and Expo will focus on production, interactive advertising, standards, applications and technology. Speakers include reps from Open TV, dotTV, Microsoft, J. Walter Thompson, ScientificAtlanta, Respond TV and Fox Broadcasting. Demonstrations of various projects and products can be viewed on the Expo floor.

The LIMA Executive Conference is designed to bring together upper management professionals to discuss new trends and the future of the licensing industry. This year's keynote speaker will be the commissioner of the trademarks and patents office, Paul Begala. Leading licensors, licensees and retailers will run panels featuring topics such as the development of a property/brand through concept, artwork, product development, marketing and distribution and the changing roles of the three-way partnerships.

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