From December 1-5 Autodesk will host a series of 3December events to celebrate 3D artists and their work. For the tenth consecutive year, these events provide Autodesk 3D software users with the opportunity to share their art, learn and network with their peers. 3December 2008 will include 3D art contests, live events in numerous cities around the world, and a virtual celebration on Autodesk's online user community -- the AREA. Autodesk will host live events on December 3 in London, Paris, Seoul, and Tokyo. Live events will also be hosted in New York City and Las Vegas on December 2 and Melbourne on December 5. In New York, free MasterClass Tips & Tricks sessions for Autodesk Maya, Autodesk 3ds Max and Autodesk Mudbox software will be offered by Derald Hunt and Erik Paynter from Turner Studios, renowned 3ds Max VFX artist Allan McKay, and Bill Harper from The Dreamhive. At the New York evening event, Harper will also offer a demonstration of Mudbox modeling techniques, while other high-profile artists will present tips and tricks for Maya and 3ds Max. The program line-up for the London event includes presentations by artists from Double Negative and The Mill. Registration is required for these events. For more information, or to register, visit: http://area.autodesk.com/3dec. Approximately ten Autodesk Animation User Group Association chapters will hold meetings in conjunction with 3December, including Los Angeles, New Jersey, and Oklahoma City. This year's Los Angeles meeting, at the Gnomon School of Visual Effects, features Blur Studio discussing the cinematic pipeline used to create Warhammer Online. The user group chapter in Oklahoma, based at Digital Tutors, also promises a stellar line up of guests for its meeting, including Greg Punchatz, senior creative director at Janimation. Autodesk's AREA community website will serve as an online venue for the weeklong celebration. The site will offer free content including, tutorials, demonstrations and show reels. With the support of HP, Intel, and Wacom, Autodesk will also offer videos and images of 3December events online. Artists can register to become a member of the AREA community free-of-charge year-round at http://area.autodesk.com. During 3December, Autodesk will launch two contests, which will run until the end of January 2009. The "Alien Landscapes" contest invites artists to use Maya, 3ds Max, Mudbox and/or Softimage|XSI software to design an alien landscape. The grand prize winner will receive an HP DreamColor LP2480zx Display, courtesy of HP and a Dual Quad Core Intel Xeon based HP xw8600 workstation, courtesy of Intel. The winner will also receive one license of Mudbox 2009 software, as well as his or her choice of one license of Maya Complete 2009, 3ds Max 2009 or Softimage|XSI software. To celebrate the event's tenth anniversary, the "3December Logo Design Challenge" requires artists to design a logo for 3December using Autodesk SketchBook Pro software. Among other requirements, the 2D design submitted must be transferrable to 3D and easily animated. The grand prize winner will receive a Wacom Cintiq 12 tablet, provided by Wacom. On December 1, more information, including contest terms and conditions, are to be available at http://area.autodesk.com/3dec.

AMD is holding the AMD Athlon 64 Processor Animation and Digital Film Contest, a global search for the best non-commercial animation and digital short films. Eligible participants can submit their work in one of two categories, "Digital Cinematography" or "Computer Character Animation," for a chance to win one of two grand prizes. Each grand prizewinner will receive a desktop system based on the upcoming AMD Athlon 64 processor and $6,400. Eligible participants are invited to submit original 30- to 45-second, animations or digital short films for consideration. Six semifinalists will be selected (three in each category) by AMD and a panel of experts. These six submissions will be re-rendered by AMD on an AMD Athlon 64 processor-based system at the conclusion of the contest. AMD also plans to showcase the six semifinalists at AMD Athlon 64 launch events around the world on September 23, 2003. Contest information and official rules can be found at www.amd.com/animationcontest.

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.

At the 2003 Virtuality Conference, Franz Cerami announced the new Miss Digital World, a beauty contest for digitally created women. The contest

Can You Make A Movie Under the Gun?
Do You Have What it Takes?

Take the Ultimate Moviemaking Challenge!

VFXTalk.com & eyeon Software Inc. have announced VFX007 - UFO, which allows entrants the chance to win eyeon

Entries are now being accepted for a deluxe publication showcasing artwork created with Discreet products. ELEMENTAL will contain a premium collection of artwork reflecting the diverse fields that Discreet products occupy including Film/Visual Effects, Broadcast Graphics, Game Development, Visualization and Other "artistic 3D creations." Artists of selected imagery will receive worldwide exposure. Artwork for consideration must be submitted before April 16, 2004, and artists must register at http://ballisticpublishing.com/call_for_entries/discreet/guidelines.php. Artwork to be considered should be created in any Discreet application. Submitted art can be for commercial use, or personal satisfaction. There is no cost or limit to number of entries.

Ballistic Publishing and the Visual Effects Society are teaming on VESAGE, the definitive art book celebrating the creative talents of the members of the Visual Effects Society (VES). Ballistic Publishing has enlisted an advisory board boasting high profile VES members who will help define entry categories and guide entry selections. The Advisory Board includes: Dan Curry, vfx producer/supervisor, STAR TREK: ENTERPRISE; Toni Pace Carstensen, visual fx producer, CyberGrafix; Valerie Delahaye, production supervisor, Buf; Bob Engelsiepen, creative director, View Studio; Pam Hogarth, director of industry relations, Gnomon School of Visual Effects; John Knoll, visual fx supervisor, ILM, PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN and co-inventor of Photoshop; Jim Rygiel, visual fx supervisor, Weta Digital, LORD OF THE RINGS trilogy; and Bill Taylor, visual fx cinematographer, Illusion Arts. VES members can submit digital images for consideration to be included in VESAGE. There is no restriction on media, subject or use. Entries must be lodged online so it is the entrant's responsibility to photograph and or scan their work for submission. For more information, visit http://www.ballisticpublishing.com/call_for_entries/vesage/index.php.

VFXTalk.com & eyeon Software Inc. have announced VFX011 - HOLD THE LINE, which allows entrants the chance to win eyeon

1st Annual Portfolios.com Awards Show will highlight the best advertising, graphic design, Web design, photography and illustration of 2003. An international panel of judges will judge online, and the Winners' Showcase will be announced and shown online. For more information, visit www.portfolios.com/award, e-mail customerservice@portfolios.com or call (800) 303-9277 ext. 261.