The Barcelona International Television Festival is devoted to children's television programs. Specifically, the festival awards national and international productions that showcase ethical and humanitarian values. The festival is seeking shorts, 60 minutes in length or less. Live-action and animated works are accepted. Works must have been completed after January 1, 1999. Non-selected works will still be presented during the Festival in the Video A La Carte section. Other sections include: The Other Childhood, dedicated to programs that picture the human condition of children in developing nations; and Surprises, featuring the production of thematic channels, broadcasters, producers and festivals who work in the area of children's television.

The Los Angeles Guild of Puppetry is holding its first Puppet Short Film and Video Festival. See some of your favorites, some oldies, some you've never heard of and have some lovely Japanese food too! Admission is free. The event will run from 7:00 pm to approximately 9:30 pm. Material is not suitable for children. If you are interested in submitting a short for next year, please contact the organizers.

Every year, ASIFA-Hollywood, the Los Angeles area-based branch of the International Animated Film Society, honors the best in film, television and Internet animation with their Annie Awards. The award ceremony will take place at the famed Alex Theater in Glendale, California.

Side Effects Software will host a free seminar at SIGGRAPH 2001 to address increasing worldwide demand for Houdini skills and Certified Houdini Trainers. The event will appeal to school staff with plans to expand their 3D animation offerings and trainers interested in augmenting their existing skill set to take advantage of employment opportunities. Ray Corbett, Training Supervisor at Digital Domain, will share his experience providing Houdini training at one of the world's leading effects companies and review job opportunities for Houdini users and trainers. Randy McCrimmon, Associate Director, 3D Animation, from the Academy of Art College, San Francisco, will discuss their successful Houdini program, and Richard Kidd, Certified Houdini Trainer, will speak about industry opportunities available as a freelance Houdini Trainer. This event provides a great opportunity to learn about Side Effects Software's support of educational institutions and trainers and to get details about the Houdini Trainer Certification Program, including requirements and how to apply. All seminar attendees will be eligible for a 50% discount on the introductory certification application fee should they choose to enroll. The event will take place on Sunday, August 12, 2001, noon to 12:45 pm at the Westin-Bonaventure Hotel (Downtown LA), San Jose Room. Reservations required.

Returning to New York, the annual Advertising & Promoting To Kids conference (APK) will feature the best line-up of kids experts ever. Speakers from the fields of advertising, promotions, psychology, licensing, retail, research, publishing, consulting and more will motivate, inspire and educate with their knowledge and experience in the kids market. Designed to cover the topics that are most important to the kids marketer, APK will help in the ongoing challenge of reaching kids, tweens and teens. The conference will take place at the Grand Hyatt in New York City.

Cartoon Forum is the annual European animation co-financing event, organized by Cartoon Media, the European animation union. The organizers have chosen 84 television projects and 5 Web projects eligible for funding consideration. In addition, the annual Cartoon d'Or prize will be given during the closing session. Five European films will be chosen as candidates based on their award-winning performances at selected European animation festivals. The money given is to finance a new film, suitable for television.

INDAC, the International Nights & Days of Animation - Cologne started seven years ago as a small
animation evening. Since then, it has grown into a festival that welcomed 3500 participants in 2001. This year, INDAC will expand its activities to the cities of D

The Media Business School, a training and research program of the European Union's Media Program, is presenting the 11th edition of the Television Business School (TVBS), a 5-day course, where industry experts study individual projects. The 2001 edition of TVBS will be dedicated to animation. Topics include: legal, script supervision, promotion, distribution and merchandising. TVBS will also discuss other related industries such as video games, the Internet and interactive television. Registration fee: Euros 1,100 (accomodation included).

MIPCOM: International Film and Programme Market for TV, Video, Cable and Satellite is one of the world

Digital Media World Asia is the annual meeting point for Asia's new media professionals. Three conferences will be featuring international keynotes and Asian industry leaders, and bringing together all those who are serious about developing their new media business in Asia. Digital Media World Asia aims to attract professionals from the following industries: broadcasting, cable and satellite, Webcasting, content production, content aggregation, film production, advertising agencies and digital agencies, publishing, ISPs and ASPs, telecommunications operators, cinemas, venture capitalists and financiers, entertainment and leisure, electronic entertainment and gaming, and multimedia of course.