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AWN Headline News

Million Headline News

U.S. Primetime TV Ratings For The Week Of January 29 – February 4, 2001

A week after the Super Bowl cut its numbers greatly, THE SIMPSONS rebounded with an outstanding 27th place finish, garnering a 9.8 rating/15 share. KING OF THE HILL climbed into 59th place with a 6.4 rating/10 share. At #79, FUTURAMA beamed down a 4.9 rating/8 share. Lifting itself out of WB's ratings basement a little, THE PJS finished in the 106th slot with a 2 rating/3 share. However, UPN's GARY & MIKE sunk further into the cellar with a 1.6 rating/3 share. Its Friday night toon partner, CELEBRITY DEATHMATCH placed 121st, with the worst rating of the week for UPN, a 1.3 rating/2 share.

Million Headline News

Cast Away Continues Its Stay At Top Of Int. BO

Around the globe, CAST AWAY remains at the top of the international box office. In Germany, CAST AWAY claimed the top spot with a gross of $4.99 million, lifting its three-week total to $17.74 million. In second, VERTICAL LIMIT made its German debut with a gross of $2.51 million. BEDAZZLED bewitched third place, grossing $1.88 million, raising its German cume to $3.09 million. In fifth, CROUCHING TIGER, HIDDEN DRAGON amazed audiences to the tune of $624,096, elevating its German cume to $1.88 million. At #6, UNBREAKABLE secured another $570,085, bringing its German cume to $12.52 million.

Headline News

Animation Stock Ticker For Tuesday, February 6, 2001

AWN's stock ticker features the most prominent publicly traded companies in the world of animation. AWN, Inc. makes available certain financial information from third party information providers. AWN does not give advice in any such fields, and has not reviewed, and in no way endorses the validity of such data. This information is provided solely as a means to keep our readers informed of the market performance and trends of certain companies. AWN strongly suggests that one seek advice from a competent professional regarding any investment or financial issues.

Million Headline News

Realviz Raises $9.39 Million

Realviz recently announced that it has completed a third round of financing worth 10 million euros (US$9.39 million). The money will help with the future development of the company and their products. This new fundraising will enable Realviz to finance their international expansion programme in the U.S.A., Europe and Asia, as well as to finance a new Internet solutions business unit.

Headline News

Lego To Produce Games For Xbox

Microsoft has signed a deal with Lego to create games for its upcoming next-generation console, Xbox. As part of the deal, Lego will also create online activities for the children's section on Microsoft's Websites. Financial terms were not released. In recent years, Lego has aggressively moved to leverage its multicolored interlocking building bricks franchise into new technology. Lego-produced CD-Roms have proven successful and Lego Mindstorms are high-tech robots that utilize microcomputers.

Game Headline News

Interplay Nabs Matrix Gaming Rights

Irvine, California-based Interplay Entertainment has obtained the gaming rights to Warner Bros.' hot sci-fi property, THE MATRIX. No financial terms were released, but some analysts project them to be upwards of US$8 10 million. Laguna Beach, California-based Shiny Entertainment has already signed to develop at least one title from Interplay's license. The first game expected to hit shelves is a 3D third person action/adventure title for the PlayStation 2. The release of the game will most likely coincide with the theatrical release of the MATRIX sequel in winter 2002.

Headline News

Internal Pressures Urge EM.TV Away From Kirch Proposal

Internal tensions have risen at embattled German media firm EM.TV & Merchandising over whether or not to accept German mega-firm Kirch Group's proposed bail out. CEO Thomas Haffa, whose family owns 50% of EM.TV shares, has been reported to favor the Kirch deal. Rumors have suggested that he even asked supervisory board chairman, Nickolaus Becker, to step down from his post. Becker along with other members of the board favor a deal with U.S.

Features Headline News

Distant Corners Gains Creature Feature Rights

Sci-fi/horror entertainment Website Distant Corners has signed a deal to manage the online and licensing rights for the CREATURE FEATURES franchise. FEATURES is an upcoming HBO and Cinemax series, which will modernize versions of Samuel Z. Arkoff's 1950s classic monster movies. The first two films in the series will be THE DAY THE WORLD ENDED and WAR OF THE COLOSSAL BEAST. The series is being produced by Lou Arkoff, Colleen Camp and Stan Winston, whose Stan Winston Studios will handle the visual effects.

Million Headline News

Cinar Releases Reworked Financial Statements

On Friday, February 2, 2001, scandal plagued Cinar Corp. released their long-awaited reworked financial statements for the past four years. For the year ended November 30, 1998, the company lowered net earnings from CA$21.8 million (US$14.6 million) to $15.7 million ($10.5 million) and for the year ended November 30, 1997, $12.9 million ($8.6 million) to $6.6 million ($4.4 million). Retained earnings for the year ended November 30, 1996 were reduced from $22.4 million ($15 million) to $16.3 million ($10.9 million).

Entertainment Headline News

iFilm Secures $10 Million

Internet entertainment destination iFilm has secured US$10 million more in financing. The new funds will keep the Website in operation well into the next year. New investors in the dotcom were Yahoo! and cable executives Marc Nathanson and Leo Hindery. Axiom Ventures, Eastman Kodak Co., Sony Pictures Entertainment and Vulcan Ventures were the returning investors. Officials at both iFilm and Yahoo! declined to give specifics about how the investment will change the two Net firms' relationship. However, negotiations are in full swing to have iFilm utilize Yahoo!

Producers Headline News

eStreaming World Brings Together Streaming Media Producers & Enterprise Execs

* Tuesday, March 6 Thursday, March 8, 2001. Los Angeles, California, U.S.A.

eStreaming World's goal is to connect streaming media producers with enterprise executives to help both parties generate revenue growth. Attendees can find producers who can enhance their company Websites and help move their business into the next level of Internet activity. For more information contact eStreaming World at: E-Mail: info@estreamingworld.com; or Web: http://www.etvworld.com/estream/framestre.htm.

Million Headline News

Cast Away Floats In Third

With live-action comedy THE WEDDING PLANNER and the debut of teen-horror flick, VALENTINE, taking the top two spots respectively, CAST AWAY floated into third for the second straight week, grossing another $7.47 million. The volleyball friendly film, with primary visual effects by Sony Pictures Imageworks, has accumulated $203 million to date. Jumping up yet another slot to finish fifth, CROUCHING TIGER, HIDDEN DRAGON rescued an additional $6.82 million.

Short Headline News

Father & Daughter Wins Clermont-Ferrand Fest

The Clermont-Ferrand Short Film Festival has announced its winners. Michael Dudok De Wit's FATHER & DAUGHTER took home the award for best international animated film. Receiving the prize for best French animated short was Florence Miailhe's AU PREMIER DIMANCHE D' AOÛT. AtomFilms sponsored both of the animated short categories. The jury was comprised of Wasis Diop, Qu-Dok Hwang, Cédric Kahn and world-renowned director of AT THE ENDS OF THE WORLD Konstantin Bronzit. Over 136 films were in official competition from over 50 countries.

Animation Headline News

This Week's Animation Trivia Quiz

Test your skills and challenge your brain with AWN's Animation Trivia Quiz. This week, we're asking more questions about "The Simpsons." What is the name of Eastern Europe's version of the Itchy and Scratchy cat and mouse duo? Which of the original Little Rascals did Moe star as when he was young? How many kids does Cletus have? Good luck...you'll need it!

Film Headline News

Discover The Artwork of Grafström's KUNGLIGA KALAMITETER

* Thursday, February 15 Sunday, March 4, 2001. Stockholm, Sweden.

Zigzag Animation is presenting an Animation Gallery of the artwork behind various animated films. The first exhibit will be Ulla-Carin Grafström with her latest film KUNGLIGA KALAMITETER. The film premiered at the Gothenberg Film Festival. For more information contact ZigZag Animation at: Bondeg. 46, 11633 Stockholm, Sweden; Tel.: ++08 615 0882; Fax: ++08 615 0883; E-mail: animation@zigzag.se; or Web: http://www.zigzag.se.

Screen Headline News

FlashBang 2 Brings Webtoons To The Big Screen

* Monday, February 19, 2001. Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.A.

FlashBang 2 brings online Flash entertainment to the big screen. This screening will highlight the best in Flash animation. In addition, interactive work will be available for viewing on displays provided by Apple. For more information visit their Website at: http://www.flashbangonline.com.

Festival Headline News

Brussels Festival: 20th Anniversary Special!

The Brussels Animation and Cartoon Festival (February 21-March 3, 2001) has concocted an exceptional program for its 20th anniversary. 575 films were submitted for selection, a record number of entries. 113 of them have been selected, representing 19 countries. Belgium is well represented, with 24 entries. The complete list of selected films is now available on the festival Website.

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