Ai-Kon is Manitoba's largest anime convention. An all-ages event, the goal of Ai-Kon is the promotion of Japanese/Asian animation and culture to the public. In 2005 approximately 960 people attended Ai-Kon, and organizers anticipate attendance numbers of 1,000 to 1,200 for this year's convention. Started by the University of Manitoba Japanese Animation Club (UMAnime) in 2001, Ai-Kon took a re-organizational hiatus in 2002, returning in 2003. Ai-Kon has since become an autonomous event, run by an independent volunteer board. "Ai" means "love" in Japanese, hence Ai-Kon's slogan "For the Love of Anime." For more details, visit www.ai-kon.org/.

Reboot Communications is hosting the first Vancouver International Game Summit. The two-day conference will bring together the innovators responsible for the explosive growth of the West Coast gaming industry, providing them with a platform to share knowledge and develop industry partnerships.

Tapping into the fast growing pool of game creators residing on the West Coast of Canada and the U.S. the first Vancouver International Game Summit will provide a forum for developers and producers of console and PC games, mobile games, online games and more. The event will not only be a learning and networking opportunity for the gaming community, but will focus on providing information and insight with the goal of industry growth in the coming years. It is expected to attract more than 750 attendees, representing gaming companies and trade associations from around the world.

The conference is also currently accepting presentation proposals. The call for papers is open until August 31, 2006. For more information on submissions and the event, visit www.rebootconference.com/games2006.

Advanced Digital Art Production Techniques (ADAPT) is launching the first edition of a new conference aimed to bring world leading international & local digital art masters under one roof in Montreal. Presented by Digital 04 studios, the ADAPT 2006 Conference will take place Sept. 23-24 at the Hyatt Regency Hotel. The ADAPT 2006 Conference will allow concept artists, modelers, riggers, animators and the like an opportunity to expand their capabilities and stimulate innovation by exposing them to the latest and most advanced digital art techniques used by the most acclaimed artists from Montreal to Hollywood and around the world. In addition to the conferences, participants will have the opportunity to meet with artists, attend an autograph signing session & network at the official ADAPT 2006 Conference cocktail mixer on the Hyatt Regency Hotel roof top terrace overlooking Montreal's skyline. Participants will also have the opportunity to showcase their portfolio and obtain a review by renowned artists. Finally, recruiters from leading companies in the industry will be conducting interviews. The artist line-up includes: * Syd Mead (BLADE RUNNER, TRON, ALIENS) * Jason Spencer-Galsworthy (CHICKEN RUN, WALLACE & GROMMIT, FLUSHED AWAY) * James Clyne (BATTLE ANGEL, X-MEN: THE LAST STAND, CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY, WAR OF THE WORLDS, MINORITY REPORT, ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE: AI) * Christian Lorenz Scheurer (THE MATRIX, WHAT DREAMS MAY COME, TITANIC, DARK CITY, EA

Ai-Kon is Manitoba's largest anime convention. An all-ages event, the goal of Ai-Kon is the promotion of Japanese/Asian animation and culture to the public. Started by the University of Manitoba Japanese Animation Club (UMAnime) in 2001, Ai-Kon took a re-organizational hiatus in 2002, returning in 2003. Ai-Kon has since become an autonomous event, run by an independent volunteer board. "Ai" means "love" in Japanese, hence Ai-Kon's slogan "For the Love of Anime." For more details, visit www.ai-kon.org/.

Launched in 2003, the World of Comedy Film Festival is dedicated to presenting a feast of comedy film from around the world. Over the past four festivals, enthusiastic audiences have screened more than 225 comedy films including many world, North American and Canadian premieres by both celebrated, established filmmakers and emerging new talent. For more information, visit www.worldcomedyfilmfest.com.

The Ottawa International Animation Festival (OIAF 07) is the premiere animation festival in North America. Independent, commercial, and student animators working in a variety of media submit their work, under eight umbrella categories; including independent short films, feature films, new media, music videos, commercials, TV shows, student films, films for children and the TELETOON Canadian Student Animation Scholarship. Attendees can look forward to retrospectives of Janet Perlman and Saul Steinberg, a unique program entitled "Poetry in Motion" and extensive screenings celebrating the animation of United Productions of America (UPA). The 2007 Honorary President will be H?l?ne Tanguay, Marketing Manager - Animation for the National Film Board of Canada. OIAF 07 will also include the 4th Annual Television Animation Conference, Canada's only industry forum for television animation producers, broadcasters, and buyers to network, discuss market trends, and conduct business. The conference will offer delegates a unique opportunity to connect with their targets and gain valuable insight into the Canadian and international markets. Other events include the Animator's Picnic, Technology Forum and a special market for schools and recruiting. For more information, visit www.animationfestival.ca.

On September 14, 2007 the Toronto Online Film Festival shall present the exciting 2007 TOFF Awards.

Highlights of the gala evening include awards in such categories as Best Animation, Best Entertainment Website, Best Short Film, Best Action Trailer, Best Documentary and countless more. Directors, editors, videographers, game developers and graphic designers from around the world shall also be spotlighted on the weekly vlogcast series

Unlike traditional film and awards festivals, there is no fee to enter TOFF.ca and no fussing with packages, courier and mail. Instead, entries are painlessly submitted online ? together with the entrant?s web link highlighted to the URL or web address, where their work may be easily viewed by audiences worldwide, via the official TOFF.ca site. Thus, an unknown genius could become an instant star.

Once the entrant?s link has been tagged, labeled and posted under it?s respective subject category, online audiences from around the world can link to the respective site, view the work and vote for their favorite.
Linked videos of audience members and reviewers are tagged and posted as well.

Ultimately, audience votes are tallied, official judge?s reviews are broadcast on the daily vlogcast series being showcased online and awards are presented on September 14, 2007 in one of the most exciting cities in the world.

Running in conjunction with Banff World Television Festival 2007, nextMEDIA: The Future of Digital Content is a three-day event, featuring compelling keynotes, international panels, best practices, case studies, as well as pitching and networking events -- all focusing on the future of digital content. The two events are dedicated to the innovation and development of television content creation and will feature synergized programs and linked schedules to capitalize on the harmonies between the traditional and advanced media sectors. Opening keynote address is by Joanna Drake Earl, president, new media, Current TV. For more information, or to register, go to www.futureofdigitalcontent.com/.

Organizers of the Vancouver International Digital Festival have partnered with the Vancouver International Film Festival. This means a move for the 2007 Vancouver International Digital Festival, now running from Sept. 22-25, to kick off the Vancouver International Film Festival (VIFF) and link top-notch digital creatives and producers with leaders of the global film and television community. Now in its fourth year, the 2007 Vancouver International Digital Festival offers creative exchange and business opportunities for producers and creators of digital media, including animation, games, Web 2.0, mobile and interactive content. The theme for this year's festival is Reminiscing about the Future. Presented by New Media BC, the Vancouver International Digital Festival is Canada's biggest annual digital content event, connecting international business leaders and top creative minds in the fields of animation, games, web 2.0, mobile and interactive content. 2007 festival supporters include: Telefilm, British Columbia Film and Canadian Heritage. For more information, visit www.vidfest.com.

The fourth Montreal International Game Summit (MIGS), taking place at the Palais des Congres de Montreal, features a world-class lineup of top industry talent. Among the speakers who will be on hand to share their expertise and know-how are: * Yoshiaki Koizumi, Nintendo, script writer of THE LEGEND OF ZELDA: LINK'S AWAKENING and assistant director of SUPER MARIO 64, as well as contributor to THE LEGEND OF ZELDA: OCARINA OF TIME and THE LEGEND OF ZELDA: MAJORA'S MASK. * Jonathan Blow, independent game designer, industry consultant, technical columnist for GAME DEVELOPER MAGAZINE, co-organizer of the Game-Tech conference and founder of the Experimental Gameplay Workshop, a group that showcases the work of groundbreaking game designers. His next game, BRAID, will be released in February 2008. * David Perry, gaming industry consultant and visionary for the past 25 years. CEO of Gameconsultants.com and the new video game investment portal Gameinvestors.com. He also writes a videogame industry column for BusinessWeek.com and is currently working on the creation of several multi-player games, as well as the first community-created MMO game, with tens of thousands of developers on his team. A complete list of speakers is available at www.sijm.ca.