AWN Headline News

Here is a look at some of the various marketing items related to Disney/Pixars massive advertising campaign for A Bugs Life. The movie web site, www.abugslife.com, launched last week complete with Shockwave and QTVR games, behind-the-scenes information on the making of the film, sweepstakes, and the ability to purchase tickets for theaters nationwide.

New York-based J.J. SEDELMAIER PRODUCTIONS created two 15-second spots, Liberty and Airport, for Rothmans retail stores. The spots feature the powerful, heroic, Constructivist-leaning WPA mural style imagery of the Rothmans Man. The traditional ink-and-paint cel animated spots were based on the designs of illustrator Doug Fraser and were directed by J.J. Sedelmaier.

The life of Walt Disney has been the subject of many unofficial biographies and articles with allegations accusing him of being everything from a fascist to a bigot. Now for the first time the record can be set straight with a new interactive CD-ROM narrated by Disneys first child, Diane Disney-Miller. Walt Disney: An Intimate History of the Man and His Magic, was produced to present an accurate account of his life and celebrate his accomplishments.

Last Tuesday was a dark day for the comic book world when legendary writer/artist Bob Kane, best known for creating DC Comics Batman, passed away as a result of natural causes at his California home. Kane, 83, created the dark hero along with many other famous supporting characters including Robin, the Boy Wonder, the Joker, Catwoman and the Riddler. His creations have resulted in a continuously published comic book for fifty years, a live-action TV series, four feature films, at least five animated Batman series, and merchandising beyond words.

The first annual New York Animation Festival, slated to take place in New York City during April 1999, is now accepting entries in all categories. This comprehensive festival will encompass all types of animation including film, video, and digital animation of any genre. Student and international entries are also encouraged. For entry forms or information, call (212) 982-7781 or NYAFest@yahoo.com

The longest-running prime-time animated family in television history, The Simpsons, will be getting their own star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in September 1999. Among the celebrities that will be inducted next year include Alex Trebek, Freddy Fender, Wesley Snipes, Jamie Lee Curtis, Dennis Franz, Samuel Jackson, James Woods, Bob Newhart, Jane Seymour and Reba McEntire. Animation World Magazine will be there to cover the ceremony.

CURIOUS PICTURES East and West coast offices teamed up with Cartoon Network to create Sound Hound, a two-minute animated interstitial featuring the classic Hanna-Barbara character, Huckleberry Hound.

* Thursday, November 5 - Friday, November 13. New York City, New York, U.S.A.

The Anthology Film Archives is presenting selected screenings from the First Light series. Films from Jordan Belson, James Whitney, Norman McLaren, and Oskar Fischinger, among others, will be shown. There will also be discussions from scholars and filmmakers following a number of the programs. For screening times and ticket info, contact the Anthology Film Archives at (212) 505-5181.

* Friday, November 13 - Sunday, November 15. Coffs Harbour, New SouthWales, Australia.

The 1998 STANLEY AWARDS AND CARTOONISTS' CONFERENCE, hosted by the Australian Black and White Artists' Club, will take place at the NovotelOpal Cove resort and Pacific Bay resort. The annual event features thepresentation of the Stanley Awards, the Australian "Academy Awards forcartooning," in 10 categories. The two day conference following willexamine topics including comic strip syndication, marketing, and using

* Friday, November 13, - Sunday, November 22. Flagstaff, Arizona, U.S.A.

The WorldFest Film and Video Festival, an event which focuses onindependent works which have not yet been picked up for distribution,features eight animation categories this year. For information onattending, contact Worldfest at tel (713) 965-9955, fax (713) 965-9960 oremail at worldfest@aol.com.

* Wednesday, November 18, - Sunday, November 22. Holland.

The 7th Holland Animation Film Festival, organized by the Holland FilmFestival Foundation, will be held in Utrecht, Netherlands. To find out moreabout the festival, visit their web site at http://www.awn.com/haff/>/a> oremail to haff@knoware.nl.

* Friday, November 20, - Sunday, November 22. Perugia, Italy.Although there will be no competition section this year at the Cartoombria4th International Animation Film Festival, the artistic committee ofCartoombria '98 has put together a number of retrospectives, exhibits,workshops, screenings, premieres and artist tributes. To find out moreabout the festival visit http://www.awn.com/cartoombria/.