Geographical Region: Europe

On November 14, 2000 the 7th annual London Effects & Animation Festival (LEAF), Europe's leading computer generated animation and special effects festival will award the best work from around the world in the commercial, short film, feature film, student, music video, titles, idents & stings, education & simulation and Web animation categories. Winners will receive the prestigious Golden LEAF Award. This year, the festival will once again showcase computer-generated animation and special effects, reflecting some of the best creative and technical achievements of the past year.

The films in competition for Independent Short, Applied Animation and Student Films in Belgium and The Netherlands were selected by festival organizers Erik van Drunen, Mette Peters and Gerben Schermer. The selection list is now available on the festival Web site. The selection can be viewed by film title, director, production company, country and competition category.

"For the Birds," Pixar's new short film, has been selected to open the 2nd Hollywood Shorts on Sunday, October 8, 2000. The film enjoyed its world premiere at the Annecy Film Festival in France in June and bowed in the U.S. at the 27th annual Siggraph conference in July. "For the Birds" director Ralph Eggleston will be in attendance and participate in the filmmakers' panel after the screening. Hollywood Shorts is an industry showcase that introduces outstanding filmmakers to L.A.'s film and television community via monthly screenings.

It is already October and time to start predicting which toy will be this Holiday season's Furby. Martin Goodman is here with a look at what Santa will - and will not - have in his sack this Yuletide. AWN's Rick DeMott takes a look at The Powerpuff Girls phenomenon and the building of a franchise. Who are the brains behind the marketing of Pokemon? Meet 4Kids, the company most recently called the "Fastest-Growing Company in America" by Forbes Magazine. Brett Rogers explores. So, what comes first - the successful show or the licensing and merchandising deal?

I Castelli Animati has pre-selected the animations for the official Web animation competition, which includes an audience prize. You can be part of the international cyber jury and vote for your favorites. The deadline to vote online is October 6, 2000. The 5th edition of I Castelli Animati will take place in Genzano, Italy, October 4-8, 2000. I Castelli Animati highlights animation in all its forms from commercials to features films.

Bill Plympton has updated his appearances page.

Take a 5-day Softimage XSI Essentials course so that you can hit the

ground running with XSI. This course is offered by The Renaissance

Center, Dickson (just west of Nashville), Tennessee, September 25-29,

2000. The Avid Certified Instructor is Olwen Nash, who has worked for

London-based MetroNewMedia (soft3D ATC) and The Finishing School

(European XSI ATC). For more information and registration please

contact: Vona Redden, tel.: (615) 740-5517; email:

vona.redden@rcenter.org; or visit