AWN Headline News

* Digital Medial World /London Effects & Animation Festival (LEAF): Tuesday, November 13 - Thursday, November 15, 2001, London, UK.

* Cartoombria 7th International Animation Exhibition: Wednesday, November 21 - Saturday, November 24, 2001, Perugia, Italy.

Cartoombria showcases animation from around the world, with a focus on digital and multimedia animation. The festival also holds special events highlighting international schools and training programs on computer animation, new media and Web animation. For more information, contact: Cartoombria, Via Bontempi, 25-06122 Perguia, Italy; Tel: ++39 075 572 67 64; Fax: ++39 075 572 67 68; Email: info@cartoombria.com; Web: www.awn.com/cartoombria.

Toon Boom Technologies has teamed with Electric Rain to extend its support for 3D animation. These new plug-ins will feature a special edition that outputs in the USAnimation format, allowing USAnimation users to import 3D animation created with 3D Studio MAX, LightWave or XSI into the 2D world. Electric Rain is a leading developer and supplier of 3D to vector solutions with Swift 3D MAX, Swift 3D LW and Swift 3D XSI. "Toon Boom is pleased to offer its customers the option to integrate 3D animation created with the leading 3D animation software.

* Future Film Festival: Friday, January 18 - Tuesday, January 22, 2002, Bologna, Italy.

Blizzard Entertainment has announced that DIABLO II: LORD OF DESTRUCTION has hit the 1 million units mark. DIABLO II is only the sixth Blizzard title to hit the million-sold mark. In its first week alone, the game captured a record 17.7% of total U.S. PC game market share. "We are very pleased by the worldwide demand for DIABLO II: LORD OF DESTRUCTION," said Mike Morhaime, Blizzard Entertainment president and co-founder.

The Walt Disney Company has reported earnings for the quarter ended June 30, 2001. Pro forma revenues and segment operating income for the quarter decreased 1% and 7% to US$6 billion and $1.1 billion, respectively, from the prior-year quarter. "In a soft economy, Disney's overall performance continues to be solid," said Michael D. Eisner, chairman and CEO of The Walt Disney Company. "Our studio has added yet another quarter to a year of strong growth.

Pulse, a leading interactive, 3D media solutions company, has teamed with NBC to launch the "3D virtual tour" of NBC's WILL & GRACE. Fans can go to NBC.com and tour photo-realistic 3D replications of the sets from the live-action comedy sitcom. The Website was designed using Pulse's proprietary software and partner REALVIZ's technology. The site also boasts the first photo-real site guide. Melinda Ritz, the set decorator for the television show, serves as "tour guide" and appears as a 3D, photo-real "virtual character" in the lower right corner of the screen at key times during the tour.

* ASIFA-Hollywood Presents: Cal'Arts 2001 Character Animation Show: Wednesday, August 29, 2001, Burbank, California USA.

ASIFA-Hollywood is presenting "It Came From The Cubes!," CalArts 2001 Character Animation Producers show. The show will begin at 7:30 pm. The entry fee will be US$2 for members and $5 for non-members. Seating is limited. For more information, contact: ASIFA-Hollywood, 721 S. Victory Blvd., Burbank, CA 91502, USA; Tel: (818) 842-8330; Web: www.asifa-hollywood.org.

* RMCAD And ASIFA-Colorado Present Computer Animation Artist Barbara Mones-Hattal: Thursday, September 13, 2001, Denver, Colorado USA.

RMCAD and ASIFA-Colorado welcome Barbara Mones-Hattal, renowned computer animation artist. Barbara is also a faculty member at the University of Washington. For more information, contact: ASIFA-Colorado @ RMCAD, 6875 E. Evans Ave., Denver, CO 80224, USA; Tel: (800) 888-ARTS; Fax: (303)759-4970; Email: EBakst@RMCAD.edu.