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Festival Headline News

British Film Takes Grand Prize At SAFO

The 2001 edition of the Ottawa International Student Animation Festival (SAFO) came to a close with the announcement of this year's winners. SAFO, the world's largest student animation festival, is held every other year in Ottawa, Canada. This year's festival ran from October 18 to October 21, 2001 and featured a variety of events,

Festival Events

The 18th Annual Chicago International Children's Film Festival (CICFF)

By Guest (not verified) | Thursday, October 25, 2001 at 11:00am
Begins: October 25, 2001

The Chicago International Children's Film Festival (CICFF) is an annual, competitive film festival presented by Facets Multi-Media, Inc. The event is the largest festival of children's films in North America. Last year's festival presented over 200 films and videos from 40 countries. An adult and children's jury will hand out awards for animated features and shorts. The festival also features a category for child-produced films.

Game Headline News

Shrek To Premiere On Xbox

TDK Mediactive, Inc.s new game SHREK for the Xbox video game system will be available in stores on Xbox launch day, November 15, 2001. SHREK for Xbox is being featured in the Xbox retail demo disk and brochure and on point of purchase displays that will be in stores through the holiday season. In the game, Shrek must face off with Merlin and travel to the fog-shrouded Dark Tower Fortress of Pure Evil. To clear the fog and gain access, Shrek must perform various good deeds across the Fairy Tale Lands.

Headline News

Phantom Overtakes Mummy As Top Selling DVD

Just one week after THE MUMMY RETURNS broke records as the fastest selling DVD of all time, here comes STAR WARS: EPISODE ONE THE PHANTOM MENACE. Selling a record 2.2 million copies in one week (besting MUMMYS 2 million sold), and setting a new first-week sales record, EPISODE ONE racked up approximately $45 million in sales. Fox Home Entertainment VP of marketing said that EPISODE ONE is on track to out-sell the biggest selling DVD of all time, GLADIATOR. However, THE PHANTOM MENACE is about to face two big green characters that may derail its plans for DVD sales domination.

Headline News

Go Speed Racer Go… Again

Japanese animated series and cult classic SPEED RACER may finally make its way to the big screen, reported VARIETY. The concept has been in development at Warner Bros for over ten years, with the likes of Julien Temple and Alphonso Cuaron mentioned to direct a script by J.J. Abrams. The studio has finally given EL DIABLO writers Christian Gudegast and Paul Scheuring the job of working on a new script for the feature film. Hype Williams is set to direct. No word on who will step into Speeds shoes, but Johnny Depp had once been mentioned to star.

Animation Headline News

Waterman Named Director Of Animation

Todd Waterman has been named director of animation for ImagineAsia, Inc., one of the principle companies of Global Animation Holdings. He will be based out of the companys facilities in Manila, Philippines. Waterman has an extensive background as an animator, storyboard artist, character designer and animation director. He began his career working on the animated features AN AMERICAN TAIL, ALL DOGS GO TO HEAVEN and ROCK-A-DOODLE among others. He then worked for Steven Spielberg at his London-based studio, Amblimation, on the animated dinosaur feature WERE BACK.

Animation Headline News

Alan Burnett Receives WGA Award

The 4th Annual Writers Guild of America, west (WGAw) Animation Writing Award was presented to producer Alan Burnett at the WGAw annual meeting and reception on Wednesday, October 17, 2001. In the words of the board, the award is given to the caucus or guild member who has advanced the literature of animation in film and/or television through the years, and who has made outstanding contributions to the profession of the animation writer.

Series Headline News

Tama & Friends Signs Multi-Country Licensing Deal

4Kids Entertainments TAMA & FRIENDS has been licensed for TV broadcast with YTV of Canada, TV Record in Brazil, Media Set in Italy, SIC TV in Portugal and KM Productions for Arabic language markets. The animated childrens series features the adventures of Tama the kitten, who, along with his buddies, finds ways to solve complex problems that seem to elude their human companions. The 26 episode series premiered in U.S. first run syndication in September and has enjoyed a long running TV ratings success in Japan on Tokyo Broadcast System.

Headline News

Greenlight And Berlin Animation Fund Finalize Rights Deal

Greenlight International, the international sales arm of Berlin-based Greenlight Media, has finalized a pan-Asian multi-rights deal with First Asia Resources Ltd. of Hong Kong for the first four animated series from the Berlin Animation Fund (BAF). The series in the deal are ADVENTURERS, MEADOWLANDS, BOBS BEACH and ACARIA. First Asia also has a first look agreement with Greenlight on all other animated properties for the next two years.

Animation Headline News

Timberwolf On The Web

Chuck Jones' Internet animated series TIMBERWOLF, had its world-premiere at the Ottawa Student Animation Festival, October 18-21, 2001. The show debuted on warnerbros.com on October 24, 2001. Created by legendary animation director Chuck Jones, and produced by Jones, Stephen Fossatti, Philip Vaughn and Jeff DeGrandis, TIMBERWOLF features laid-back Thomas Timber Wolf, whose unfortunate family history involves the tendency for trees to fall on his head at the utterance of his middle name.

Black Events

Bob Clampett Animation Festival

By Guest (not verified) | Wednesday, October 24, 2001 at 11:00am
Begins: October 24, 2001

Bob Clampett is recognized today as perhaps the key force in the shaping of Warner Brothers Animation. This program offers a rare chance to see two hours of his films as he meant us to see them. Uncut. In black and white if they were made in black and white, color if they were made in color.Stars Bugs, Daffy, Porky, the original nude Tweety & lots more.

Media Events

Digital Media World Asia 2001

By Guest (not verified) | Wednesday, October 24, 2001 at 11:00am
Begins: October 24, 2001

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.

Television Events

Television Business School

By Guest (not verified) | Wednesday, October 24, 2001 at 11:00am
Begins: October 24, 2001

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).

Animation Events

Television Business School 2001

By Guest (not verified) | Wednesday, October 24, 2001 at 11:00am
Begins: October 24, 2001

The TVBS represents a unique opportunity for European animation producers and executives to benefit from consultancy and training designed to maximise the financial opportunities of their projects.Now in its 11th edition, the TVBS brings together some of Europe's most promising TV professionals from the field of animation with a team of senior executives and producers who will act as tutors and consultants on the course. A unique process where influential TV professionals advise, tutor and share their knowledge with other professionals.

With Christoph Holch Head of TV Drama Department.

Universal Headline News

Butt-Ugly Martians Have Universal Appeal

Universal Studios, Just Group, Mike Young Productions and DCDC have entered into a broad arrangement for BUTT-UGLY MARTIANS, the new CGI-animated action-adventure-comedy TV series, which debuted on the U.K. channel CITV in February 2001. The series, backed by a list of licensees including Hasbro and Scholastic, will premiere on Nickelodeon in the U.S. in early 2002 and has begun debuting on other children's outlets around the world.

Animation Headline News

Fox And eBay Auction Animation For Charity

Fox Entertainment Group has teamed with eBay to support Auction for America, the online charity initiative designed to raise funds for the victims, families and communities affected by the terrorist attacks of September 11. The auctions began October 22, 2001 and will continue through the holiday season. All proceeds will be donated to the Twin Towers Fund.

Million Headline News

Avid Reports Third Quarter Results

Avid Technology, Inc. has reported its financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2001. Revenues for the quarter were $102.3 million. Net loss for the quarter was $14.2 million or $.55 per share including amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets, and restructuring and other costs, net. Excluding these items, Avid would have reported a net loss of $801,000 or $.03 per share for the third quarter of 2001. For the nine months ended September 30, 2001, revenues were $329.8 million.

Series Headline News

Silver Lining In Development

Silver Lining Productions has inked a deal with independent animation company King Rollo Films to develop a new childrens series DENNIS AND THE MONSTERS, based on the Bristish book series. Silver Lining has also entered into an agreement with European animation producer Millimages to develop a holiday special and TV series based on TOOT & PUDDLE, a childrens book series written and illustrated by Holly Hobbie. The series will be geared to young children.

Headline News

Zoinks! Scooby-Doo And The Gang Come To A Town Near You

Taking a cue from such successful childrens programs turned stage shows like BARNEY and BLUES CLUES, one of TV's longest-running animated series, SCOOBY DOO comes to life. The live-action stage show SCOOBY-DOO IN STAGEFRIGHT - LIVE ON STAGE will debut on October 26, 2001 at the Palace Theater in Louisville, Kentucky. The live show is scheduled to perform in 28 cities throughout the United States and Canada.

Headline News

Disney/Pixar And Ralphs Give Monsters To Loyal Shoppers

California-based chain Ralphs Supermarket has partnered with Walt Disney Pictures and Pixar Animation Studios, to allow its shoppers to earn free movie tickets to the animated feature MONSTERS, INC. based on their grocery purchases over a four-week period. From October 3 through October 30, 2001, Ralphs customers who accumulate $300 in grocery purchases using their Ralphs Club Card will earn two free tickets (adult matinee or child admission) to MONSTERS, INC. The free tickets may be used at any theater showing MONSTERS, INC. from November 2 to November 18, 2001.

Media Headline News

Viewpoint’s Media Player Gets Hyper

Viewpoint Corporation, a provider of digital marketing technologies, has launched the newest version of the Viewpoint Media Player. This latest version showcases Viewpoint's HyperView feature, which enables viewers to expand rich media content beyond the browser window and utilize the entire desktop as real estate for the content. The Viewpoint Media Player allows for the integration and interaction of rich media formats such as Flash, 3D, animation, text, audio and zoomable 2D graphics.

Neon Headline News

Ashlar-Vellum Offers Free Test-Drive Of Neon3d

Software designer Ashlar-Vellum Inc. is offering a free beta test-drive of Neon, the company's 3D publishing tool. From now until November 15, 2001, users can download and use the $495 value software free of charge. In addition to its easy-to-use rendering features, Neon enables the publication of any engineering-grade 3D file in the most popular Web and print publishing formats including Macromedia ShockWave 3D, Viewpoint VET, Apple QuickTime, Adobe Illustrator, VRML and more.

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