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Microsoft Corp.s future-generation game console Xbox will go on sale at retail outlets throughout Japan on February 22, 2002 at a price of 34,800 yen (US$265). 50,000 Xbox Special Edition consoles designed exclusively for the Japanese market will also be available. The special console will be greenish-black with a translucent textured casing. The jewel portion of the box will have a silver logo with black lettering. A silver-plated key chain with an engraved serial number and Bill Gates signature will be included with the console as well.

Kecskemét Animation Film Festival, Kecskemét, Hungary.

Wednesday, July 12, 2002 - Tuesday, July 16, 2002.

Entry Deadline: Sunday, March 10, 2002.

deadCENTER Film Festival, Edmond, Oklahoma, USA.

Friday, June 7, 2002 Saturday, June 8, 2002.

Early Deadline: February 1, 2002. * Entry Deadline: April 1, 2002.

This two-day event at the University of Central Oklahoma campus celebrates independent filmmaking. Now accepting submissions in both short & feature format from all genres. The festival offers awards for Best Animation, Short, Feature, Sci-Fi/Star Wars, Grand Jury, Regional and Audience. The festival features a filmmaker dinner and awards, plus after-parties during the event.

Indias Pentamedia Graphics Ltd. will present a slate of animated movies, home videos and series at NATPE 2002 including the new 3D animated feature ALIBABA AND THE FORTY THIEVES. The company is currently in production on SINBAD AND THE SECRET OF COLONIS, the 3D animated sequel to SINBAD: BEYOND THE VEIL OF MISTS.

Read about the making of SINBAD: BEYOND THE VEIL OF MISTS, Pentamedias first foray into 3D animation features.

Focusing on its action-packed lineup of anime properties, Central Park Media will release two new DVDs on January 14, 2003: VAMPIRE'S LURE, the first volume in the DESCENDANTS OF DARKNESS series; and IMPATIENCE AND LONGING, the continuing adventures of the sword-fighting Utena from REVOLUTIONARY GIRL UTENA. In VAMPIRE'S LURE, an action-packed, supernatural series, a vampire is on the loose, and it's up to dashing supernatural detective Tsuzuki to stop her!

Nelvana has acquired exclusive worldwide rights to produce a television series, made-for-video programs, theatrical motion pictures, and individual programs including made-for-television specials and movies, based on THE BERENSTAIN BEARS. Nelvana has already secured a relationship with Columbia Tristar to distribute THE BERENSTAIN BEARS videos in the United States; the first release is slated for 2003. In addition, Berenstain Enterprises, Inc. granted Nelvana worldwide merchandising and licensing rights.

The Vancouver Institute of Media Arts (VanArts) in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada now offers financial aid to U.S. students and instruction in Maya 4.0. The school offers one-year (48-week) diploma programs in both classical and computer animation. Limited seats for February programs are available. Full funding for approved American students will be available through SLM Financial, a division of Sallie Mae. Funds can be applied to tuition and living expenses. Maya will become part of the computer animation curriculum in February 2002.

This week's updates to the Calendar of Events include:Sheila Graber Animated: Wednesday, January 30, 2002, Middlesbrough, Teesside UK . . . Women In Animation Present - Talkin' Voice Over With The Pros: Wednesday, January 30, 2002, Hollywood, California USA . . . Animated Encounters: Thursday, April 25 - Sunday, April 28, 2002, Bristol, UK . . . MOCCA Art Festival: Sunday, June 23, 2002, New York, New York USA . . . Kecskemét Animation Film Festival (KAFF): Friday, July 12 - Tuesday, July 16, 2002, Kecskemét, Hungary.

Adobe Systems unveiled the latest versions of its GoLive Web authoring and LiveMotion animation software during the Macworld Expo in San Francisco on Monday, January 7, 2002. The products represent Adobe's foray into software for authoring wireless content just as momentum builds for creating content that can be viewed on cell phones and other handheld devices. Adobe is positioning GoLive as the product of choice for Web designers looking to create dynamic content for mobile devices.