Asia Television Forum, Bahamas International Film Fest, Art Basel Miami, Monaco International Film Fest, are highlights in December’s Global Media and Entertainment Industry

“A Portrait of America” curated by Ramses Granados continues its run at the Joy Wai Gallery in Chelsea, NYC.

The Joy Wai Gallery in New York City opens a group show curated by Ramses Granados presenting images of America in 2008 with works in various genres including: abstract, figurative, expressionistic, realistic, modern and photography. The opening reception for “A Portrait of America – Experience the 2008 Presidential Campaign in 2012”, took place at Angel Orensanz Foundation In Manhattan’s Lower East Side, hosted by television anchor and hostess, Sofia Samrad. After the opening reception the exhibition continues at the Joy Wai Gallery in Chelsea. Regardless of when the works were created they will serve as a retrospective of 2008 and particularly of a historic presidential campaign that marked a milestone in the country’s history. The Joy Wai Gallery is a basement art salon that presents contemporary art with a strong focus in fine art photography. With an educational program in the works — including guest lecturers drawn from artists, critics, curators and professors — the Gallery envisions itself as a platform for exchanges within the art community.

Asia Television Forum in Singapore is a content market organized by Reed Exhibitions Pte Limited to buy, sell, finance, distribute and co-produce across all entertainment platforms, with conference topics that will include: “Focus on Korean Format: Running Man”, “Format Distribution: The China Deal Marker”, “The Future of TV: The New TV Player”, “Focus On China’s Film Business”, “Future of TV: Going Global, Helping TV Shows Find Their Audience”, “Euro-Zone: How to Get Your Movie Made in Europe”, 360TV: Generating Revenue in the Digital Age”. The opening keynote delivered by Sanford Panitch, President Fox International Productions USA, addresses the topic: “Creativity Beyond Borders: Asia and the Global Market – What The Future Holds?”

ATF is held in conjunction with ScreenSingapore, to present trading possibilities through a seamless TV and Film market, conference, networking opportunities, and gala film premiere. Opening party by RSVP only at the Marina Bay Sands Skypark. A CBS Studios International Cocktail Party, by invitation only, is in Marina Bay Sands, Level 1, on December 5. A “Creative Malaysia Networking Luncheon” is scheduled for December 6 on Level 3 of the Sands. There will be an “International Emmy Award Showcase of the 2012 Nominated Programs From Asia” later that day in the Cassia Ballroom. A cocktail party follows at the Japan Pavilion. Still later, is a Closing Red Carpet Premiere, and Closing Party for Screensingapre, by RSVP only, at Golden Village. Last conference day, December 7, closes with Screensingapore Board Lunch (by invitation only) and “Singapre Hour” at the Singapore Pavilion.

The FlipsideTV Film Festival — an open genre, open form film festival and market — maintains the sole intention of giving independent producers, screenplay writers, and directors a means to get in front of buyers, distributors, agents, financiers and other industry professionals, as well as a film watching audience. The Huntington Beach located organization runs this online film festival twice yearly, with this year’s festival going to December 31. Movies play to an established subscriber base and are also exposed to potential acquisition and distribution agents. All official selections play to this audience for a one-month period and finalists are offered distribution and winners may get additional awards including theatrical exhibition to get the projects screened.

The Bahamas International Film Festival in Nassau is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing the local community and International visitors with a varied presentation of films from around the world. In addition to offering films that might not otherwise be released theatrically in the Bahamas, BIFF schedules educational programs, and forums for exploring the future of cinema. Immediately following it’s ninth annual festival which runs through December 9, the Bahamas International Film Festival will travel to Eleuthera for a continuation of this year’s celebration to be known as The Best of the Fest Eleuthera. During its visit to Harbour Island and Governor’s Harbour, a full program of films and festivities will be offered for the enjoyment of visiting Filmmakers, guests and local residents. The schedule of events to be held December 10-14, includes Opening Night Film and Welcome Reception at Coral Sands Resort, daily film screening at Seagrapes, Harbour Island and the Globe Princess Theater in Governor’s Harbour, and Closing Night Film and Farewell Party at Tippy’s, hosted by Odyssey. An Opening Night Party will be at Carrousel Yacht, and Closing Night Gala Party at Ocean Club Estates, Paradise Island.

From December 6-9 at various venues about Miami Beach, more than 260 leading galleries from North America, Europe, Latin America, Asia and Africa will take part in the 11th edition of Art Basel, showcasing works by more than 2,000 artists of the 20th and 21st centuries. Special exhibition sections feature young galleries, performance art, public art projects and video art. Angaelica, a non profit organization rooted in the arts and ecology, curates gallery events during Art Basel Miami, with these community events supporting and encouraging artists and filmmakers. Art Basel is an international contemporary art fair held each June in Basel, Switzerland. Similar to the Venice Biennale, it has been called “the Olympics of the art world”. Since 2002, a sister exhibition, Art Basel Miami has been held in the USA in Miami, Florida.

DocMiami International Film Festival is a Non-Profit 501c3 organization dedicated to providing a documentary film festival to promote the art form of up and coming documentary filmmakers and students’ from grades 6-12, at a local, national and international level. The festival, operating from North Miami Beach, format showcases three days of documentary filmmaking and three nights of music concerts, December 6-9. DocMiami’s music concerts benefit the non-profit, Brick by Brick for Tanzania. An Opening Night Cocktails and Dinner event feature the screening of ‘Concert’ by Richard Warren Rappaport. Festivities close with an Awards Gala featuring performances by: Tito Puente, Jr. (a member of the festival board), Kiki Sanchez and Eloy “Rali”.

Since its creation in 2003 the Angel Film Awards at Monaco International Film Festival – MIFF is held in the Principality of Monaco. It is a non-profit, independent film festival and art house event celebrating peace, love and movies. The Angel Film Awards team strives to help worthy productions gain the publicity and recognition they deserve with some AFA winners having gained distribution deals and secured financing through the festival. The Festival mandate stresses the importance of no gratuitous violence in film/entertainment, and also includes the submission of environmental, cultural and peace-promoting themes in films. The Festival’s emphasis is on promoting aesthetics in talent and filmmaker, and for films with a unique story. Red carpet screenings will take place at the new Art Novo Theatre and Press Lounge in the Novotel, Monte Carlo. Built on the site of the old Radio Monte Carlo building, the Monaco Gala premiere screening of ‘Dream Awake’, a feature drama (USA, 105 mins) will be followed by the Gala Evening Party with Red Carpet Champagne Reception at the Hermitage Hotel. The entire festival will be filmed for television broadcast.

The above events are only a sample of what is fully listed. Complete details are on the “Media, Entertainment and Performing Arts Industry News and Events” page at: http://www.actorschecklist.com/news.html which now has pages translated into 10 of the most widely used international languages that can be accessed from the blog page. This month’s photo placement highlighted art exhibit opening at Lower East Side’s Angel Orensanz Foundation of “A Portrait of America” which continues its run at the Joy Wai Gallery in Chelsea, NYC. If the photo does not appear in this post please click this link (http://bit.ly/SyPjjX). Looking ahead into the next month that will open the new year of 2013, The Palm Springs International Film Festival will be based in the Coachella Valley at the base of Mt. San Jacinto. The Summer School (Australian summer) in Film making of the University of Melbourne’s Cinema Studies Program launches. TAP!2013, training conference in digital content creation, publishing, marketing and monetizing, will be in Orlando. The second annual Games Summit at 2013 International CES, produced by Digital Media Wire, is in Las Vegas. The Sundance Institute launches the annual Sundance Film Festival in Park City. The Florida Media Market (FMM) created to fortify the Media industry in South Florida opens in Miami.

Streaming Media East, Billboard Music Awards, Casual Connect Asia, Chicago Underground Film, are highlights in May’s Global Media and Entertainment Industry

The Avengers set new records for the overseas and U.S. North American box office recording $200.3 million for a 3-day U.S. opening weekend and $641.8 million overall in its first 12 days globally.

NARM opens its 2012 Convention in Los Angeles. As a trade association that serves the music and entertainment content delivery community, the Convention will field roundtables and panels that include: International Music Registry, Music Distribution, Music and TV, Internet and Independent Labels, Commerce vs. Royalties, and so many more areas. NARM advances the promotion, marketing, distribution, and sale of music and entertainment by providing its members with a forum for diverse meeting and networking opportunities, information, and education to support their businesses, as well as advocating for their common interests. On the evening of May 8 a Digital Music LA Meetup, designed to help digital music industry professionals uncover new business opportunities, follows a cocktail sip. On closing evening, there is the Red Carpet Arrivals and Awards Dinner Party.

The annual CTIA Wireless Convention launches this year in New Orleans through May 10. As an industry trade group that represents all sectors of the international wireless communications industry, CTIA hosts two shows a year: one in the spring, for a full representation of all things wireless, plus another show in the fall that focuses more on the usage and implementation of wireless in the enterprise. With the new convention dates starting in May and a new location in New Orleans, other updates to the convention itinerary include: afternoon keynote sessions, the Solutions Showcase, a VIP hospitality tent, CTIA World – interactive displays on the show floor, the Executive Conference Center, CTIA Unplugged and more events that round out a new agenda for 2012. CTIA (Cellular Telephone Industries Association) members include international cellular, personal communication services and enhanced specialized mobile radio providers and suppliers, and providers and manufacturers of wireless data services and products. President Bill Clinton will give the show’s final keynote on the afternoon of May 10.

Now in its 15th year, and with more than 100 speakers across 30 sessions, Streaming Media East running May 14-16 in New York City, is a place to see, learn, and discuss what is taking place with all forms of online video business models and technology. Content owners, viral video creators, online marketers, enterprise corporations, broadcast professionals, ad agencies, educators, and others all come to Streaming Media East to see and hear the latest online video technology and to discuss the business models that are coming of age. Industry instructors will conduct 20 “how-to” sessions on the various technical aspects of the industry – encoding, videoplayers, webcasting productions, and more. During the opening keynote with Matt Frost, Senior Business Product Manager, Google Chrome, keynote attendees will have a chance to win one of twelve Google Chromebooks.

In Cannes, the Third Annual International Film Finance Forum hosts financiers, investment advisers, filmmakers, studio executives, finance and sales agents, distributors, attorneys, accountants, insurance and completion bond providers, film commissioners, and new entrants to film financing from all over the world. This year’s speaking faculty will address how to get movies financed, made, and sold in an ever-changing marketplace. The forum will open up with the state of the industry overview by Randall Emmett, Co-Chair/Producer of Emmett/Furla Films. Emmett. During the closing conversation, actor, producer and humanitarian Danny Glover will address the importance of documentaries, creative financing strategies for this genre, and ways to market and sell these types of films. The Forum is one day only on May 18.

For the second straight year in a row, the Billboard Music Awards goes live from Las Vegas, May 20, following a hiatus that lasted from 2007 to 2011. The awards will reflect Billboard’s chart rankings based on key fan interactions with music, including album sales and downloads, track downloads, radio airplay and touring as well as streaming and social interactions on Facebook, Twitter, Vevo, Youtube, Spotify and other popular online destinations for music. This year, U.K. performer Adele takes the lead as a finalist in 18 award categories, including Top Artist, Top Female Artist and Top Billboard 200 Artist. Expected performers already announced for this year’s show include: Justin Bieber, Carrie Underwood, LMFAO and The Wanted are the first performers announced with others to come. The “2012 Billboard Music Awards” is co-executive produced by Richard D. Beckman, CEO Prometheus Global Media and Don Mischer Productions. The 2012 Billboard Music Awards will air on ABC live from the MGM Grand in Las Vegas and hosted by Julie Bowen and Ty Burrell. The MGM Grand Garden Arena is home to concerts, championship boxing and premier sporting and special events. The Arena offers comfortable seating for as many as 16,800 with excellent sightlines and state-of-the-art acoustics, lighting and sound.

RadioTV Forum opens for a two day run on May 22 in Rome. The Aeranti-Corallo RadioTV Forum is organized by RadioTv srl and is a focal point for the radio and television industry in Italy. It consists of a program of meetings, technical seminars and workshops as well as an exhibition. The “Workshop Day” event, is a day of technical workshops and seminars focusing upon the Italian transition to digital terrestrial TV, that began at the “Casa dell’Energia” conference center. RADIOTV FORUM is an event promoted by AERANTI-CORALLO, the association of local, satellite and Internet radio and television companies, and organized by RADIOTV srl. It represents around 1,000 companies, including local radio and television broadcasters, satellite and Internet stations, local broadcaster groups, broadcast news agencies, cable radio businesses, and radio and television advertising sales houses.

Casual Connect Asia 2012 is set to run May 22-24 in Suntec City. Developed for the general public and families, casual games are video games that are fun and easy to learn and play and are found on many devices including personal computers, video game consoles, mobile phones and handheld devises. Casual Connect is the place to learn more about this industry which entertains an approximate 300 million people each month. Learn all about iPhone, Social, Android, Flash, Browser MMO and Download Games. The Innovation Showcase, is set up as an “art-gallery” style exhibition that displays twelve games considered to be innovative. Visitors to the gallery are encouraged to come and interact (play) with the games for Web and iOS platform, and maybe offer feedback leading to great games ideas. The Official Casual Connect Parties are: May 22 at IDA Singapore, and May 23 at CoCoon Bar in The Forbidden City. Founded in 2005, the Casual Games Association is a professional international trade organization providing educational resources and community support for those involved in creating games for the mass market consumer.

Belgian Broadcast Days is a networking event for manufacturers and dealers, rental and facility companies, new media, ICT and mobile television, happening in Brussels, May 23-24. On day one after an opening keynote address by Dominique Vosters, director of the Cabinet of Minister Mrs Fadila Laanan, Philippe Bekaert-IBBT explores surround video based novel television production concepts and viewing experiences in the home and on the road. Other presentations follow and day one ends with a Walking Dinner and networking party. Starting day two, Jo Caudron discusses How digital innovation will impact the television business, Jelle-Jan Bruinsma presents on Opportunities for TV Broadcasters on YouTube – a short overview of YouTube’s partnership programme for TV Broadcasters, and other talks continue through the day. Workshops on Legal aid, employment and financial incentives will be held, and a networking session ends the last day.

The inaugural New York International Short Film Festival, NY Shorts Fest kicks off May 29 down in the Lower East Side of New York City. Created by the Los Angeles International Short Film Festival – LA Shorts Fest – which is now in it’s 16th year, NY Shorts Fest events provides a showcase for international short-form cinema and includes receptions as well as workshops and master classes with industry experts and top filmmaking professionals sharing their practical advice to attending filmmakers. The festival closes May 31.

Korea International Broadcast Audio and Lighting Equipment Show (KOBA 2012) is an exhibition of broadcasting, audio, video and lighting industries opening in Seoul May 29 running until June 1. Drawing on resources from the Korean Broadcasting Engineer & Technicians Association, it offers the opportunity for engineers, producers, studio and other large scale performance professionals to get the latest information about this field. The show draws professionals related to the field of Radio and TV Equipment, Audio and Video studios equipment, Terrestrial, cable and Satelite TV, Multimedia for Broadcasting, Computer Graphics, Audio and Video Telecommunications, Audio and Video on the Internet, Video projection, profesional sound, Show Lighting, Equipment Rental, Audiovisual Interactiveness, Audiovisual Operators, Media Asset Management.

As an official program of IFP/Chicago, The Chicago Underground Film Festival has forged a certain niche for itself by presenting an accessible, user-friendly showcase for avant-garde and cult cinema. Opening May 31 to run up to June 7, CUFF showcases a wide range of work exploring the many definitions and interpretations of the concept of “underground”. This year’s festival will offer a complementary mix of independent features, shorts, documentaries and experimental films augmented by nightly parties and concerts. Panels and workshops further add to the programming that encompases alternative music films, political agitprop, high camp and formal experimentation.

A singers search and open mic produced by the long-running showbiz team of Billy Shepard and Judi Jourdan is held every Monday night at “The Iguana” just around the corner from the David Letterman Show TV taping in the Broadway show district of New York City. Talented newcomers and experienced singers are all welcome. Just come in, sign up and sing. A pianist is resident or bring your background tracks or CDs. The pianist transposes instantly in any key for you. Open to the public, all ages and all styles are welcome. Participants will be singing with the opportunity to be booked as a featured singer in a future Shepard & Jourdan television Showcase: “How to Succeed in Show Business By Really Trying”, shown on Time Warner Cable television every Wednesday at 11:30 pm on channel 57.

The above events are only a sample of what is fully listed. Complete details are on the “Media, Entertainment and Performing Arts Industry News and Events” page at: http://www.actorschecklist.com/news.html which now has a language translation button to convert page contents into most widely read languages. And a new initiative has begun to offer the news summary in various translated versions, viewable as a .pdf document and delivered via file sharing and content deliver network protocols, as well as other means. Gazing ahead into the next month, be aware that… Cine Gear Expo 2012 will be in Hollywood. Los Angeles Indie Music/Film International Summit 2012, will be in Los Angeles. IN THE PALACE International Short Film Festival, will be in Balchik. Cannes Lions International Advertising Festival will be in Cannes. Social Media Film Festival – showcasing films mostly about social media, social change and technology – will be in Las Vegas. The British Animation Film Festival 2012 will be in London. In this month’s photo caption: The Avengers movie set new records for the overseas and U.S. North American box office recording $200.3 million for a 3-day U.S. opening weekend and $641.8 million overall in its first 12 days globally.

xBuddhist Film Festival, GameSoundCon 2010, Festival de Cannes, Jazz Foundation Benefit, DocMiami Film Festival, Highlight May Media and Entertainment Industry Networking Events

Following the Opening Night screening of ‘Soundtrack for a Revolution’, the Ninth Santa Cruz Film Festival continues the celebration with a “Southern-style” culinary offering prepared by a soul food guru, along with a no-host bar, music by a live DJ and gallery viewing in the Museum of Art & History @ the McPherson Center where festivities take place and continue through May 15. After-Film Parties are held practically every night of the Santa Cruz Film Festival. The Future of Cinema Festival is for high school filmmakers looking to become part of a global community of other passionate, driven high school students in cinema, while screening national and international works of high school students, from May 7-9 in Interlochen. The Second Annual Buddhist Film Festival, Colombo, May 9-16, is in celebration of the birth, enlightenment and the Parinibbana of Siddhartha Gautama, The Buddha. The Film Festival provides an opportunity to all filmmakers from around the globe to showcase their creations on Buddhist themes. The Festival will be brought to a climax in 2011, in celebrating 2600 years of Buddhism, where “VESAK 2011” will be the home to all filmmakers on Buddhist themes. On May 10 in Seattle, popular music innovation group, Experience Music Project, will organize and host the GameSoundCon 2010 Conferences and Seminars for composers, sound designers, audio engineers and others who want to learn what it takes to work in the video game music and sound industry with a focus on craft, technology and tools for composing game music and creating game sound effects. “My Production Workshop in Commercial Advertising” will be held May 12-16 in North Hollywood, as an accelerated creative production workshop on how to create, develop, pre-produce, produce, post produce and deliver a 30 second commercial, with participants emerging from the five-day workshop with a completed reel to be able to submit in future job searches.

Evolving as a business hub  for the low-budget indie film industry, now in its third year — and for this year taking place May 12-23 — Cannes Independent Film Festival (separate from, but organized in conjunction to Cannes Film Festival) is the first major addition to the Festival de Cannes since the Director’s Fortnight in 1968 started with a mission to provide independent films an opportunity to be screened at the world’s most prestigious film festival and the biggest International Film Market — the Festival de Cannes. Villa Off the Croisette, the designated CIFF venue during the Festival de Cannes, combines a chilled social space with pool, garden, and is also the location of networking poolside cocktail soirees, meet-and-greet breakfasts, and other launch events. The Festival de Cannes has celebrated cinema for more than 60 years, and this year holds its festivities May 12-24, in Cannes. Festival de Cannes offers programmes and events which enable festival goers to discover its offerings differently, including: Cannes Classics, Cinema Masterclass, tributes, Cinéma de la Plage held outdoors. Services such as the Film Market, allow professionals to meet and exchange ideas: the International Village, Producers’ Network and cinando.com, and the Village international, a place where all motion picture-producing countries have the chance to showcase their cinematography within a pavilion. The Ravel Orchestral Study Group Los Angeles holds an open study session at a Studio City restaurant, May 14, followed by lunch. The session — led and organized by ASCAP Film/TV composer Ron Jones — will be an in-depth examination of Ravel’s art and the technique of his orchestrations and music, includes a special performance by an instrumental guitarist, and is open to anyone wishing to attend.

Peter Pappas who has been with Valko/Miller Casting doing such series as Malcolm in the Middle, Two & a Half Men, The Big Bang Theory, Center of the Universe, Side Order of Life, and upcoming Fox midseason comedy, Sons of Tucson, conducts a May 15 workshop in Costa Mesa. The Media-Tech 2010 Global Expo and Summit in Frankfurt, May 19-21, is an equipment show combined with a conference highlighting emerging trends in the media manufacturing industry and focusing on current optical disc formats and future growth markets such as electronic games, flash memory, and Blu-ray Disc. On May 20 in New York, The Jazz Foundation presents its annual gala concert to benefit the Jazz Musicians Emergency Fund — “A Great Night in Harlem”. With hosts Michael Imperioli, Chevy Chase, Danny Glover, and David Johansen, the evening will raise money to assist  jazz and blues musicians in time of need, feature an intimate private dinner for the major sponsors, patrons and celebrity guests before the concert, and the VIP after-party  where performers, celebrities and participating audience gather, drink, dance, and get treated to rare after-hour performances with stellar musicians. The 36th Seattle International Film Festival, a large film festival generally screening more than 400 features, documentaries and short films to an audience of over 140,000, gets started this year with an opening night reception screening the comedy, The Extra Man, starring Paul Dano, Kevin Kline, John C. Reilly and Katie Holmes, with both the film and gala party taking place at  Benaroya Hall with complimentary cocktails and hors d’oeuvres. Urban Individualists (info@theurbanindividualists.org), Helene Ruiz, curator, opens a gallery reception for “MASQUERADE”: A Multi-Media Arts Event and Masquerade Ball! on May 22 in Fort Lauderdale, an exhibition that will include masks and other art works by artists responding to symbolic and concrete uses of masks related to carnival, ceremonial, spiritual, and other societal appearances of “masking”. The evening’s presentation also includes performance-poetry reading by Mia Roman-Hernandez and “Masked” performance by Jean Minuchin, wine and refreshments.

London’s Audio Engineering Society Convention is a known gathering point — of learning, networking and business opportunities — for audio professionals and enthusiasts for over 60 years. A slated workshop “Life in the Old Dogs Yet—Part One: Keeping Studios Alive”, gives an analysis of the trends in the professional recording business in recent years and invites a new generation of recording entrepreneurs to share ideas. In addition, Professor Andrew Leyshon from Nottingham University presents his analysis of the changing worldwide recording climate followed by a distinguished panel of recording stakeholders discussing current and possible future recording business models. Competitive film festival, DocMiami International Film Festival, opens May 27-30 in Miami, and in addition to the special youth screenings, expert panels, and awards gala, are three evening benefit concerts hosted by Tito Puente, Jr. who will be joined by Music Concert Director, Ivan Van Hernandez of Radio Caracol, and others. The Mexico International Film Festival is held in the town of Rosarito, situated on the Baja coast, with the crystal azure of the Pacific as a backdrop. There are awards given in several categories, round-table discussions, and seminars that explore the craft, creative and business process of cinema, and there are also nightly live events and parties including a widely anticipated beach party and closing night awards ceremony.

The above events are only a sample of what is fully listed. Complete details are on the “Media, Entertainment and Performing Arts Industry News and Events” page at http://www.actorschecklist.com/news.html. Video and podcast versions of this news summary are also available at popular video sites around the Web like MySpace, YouTube, Daily Motion, as well as on The Actor’s Checklist podcast blog at actorschecklist.com/loudblog. Follow the posting of the news summary on Twitter at: http://twitter.com/actorschecklist. Last month on the video news summary you saw new video from newly released single on iTunes – Make Your Move – from UK’s soulful, R&B songstress, Bukola. Music producing Padded Cell Productions of Toronto with a newly released art film, Jane Doe. And there was the “spiritual fusion of acoustic sitar experimental chanting spoken word improvisation”  of Scot Aaron and Govinda Schlegel who form Shaman Strings. These videos are now available on the Free Home Video Showcase at http://www.actorschecklist.com/video which now serves as an archive for all past video presentations but without the audio news narration.

Siggraph Videogame Symposium, Martha’s Vineyard African-American Film Festival, Home Movie Day, Fright Night Film Fest, The B Movie Celebration, Atlanta Hip Hop Film Festival, Telluride Film Festival, Download To Your iPhone Here, are Featured Highlights For August Media and Entertainment Industry Career Networking Events

For Chicago’s Lollapalooza Stage 2007, bands from the U.S. and abroad will be showcased August 3-5, including Pearl Jam, Interpol, Amy Winehouse, Patti Smith, The Black Keys, Regina Spektor, and others. The Sandbox ACM Siggraph Videogame Symposium, from August 4-5 in San Diego, is a forum for innovative research and advances in videogame theory, practice and criticism. The 2007 University Film and Video Association (UFVA) Conference will include exhibits, the traditional receptions, showcase panels from sustaining members, formal and juried screenings, paper presentations and panel discussions, script readings and new media installations, not to mention the annual picnic held at the Merritt Buffalo Ranch near Denton featuring Texas and regional music. The 2007 Latino Producers Academy developed for producers who create or intend to create feature films, documentaries will be held August 7-17 at various locations throughout Tucson. The Martha’s Vineyard African-American Film Festival, organized by Run and Shoot Filmworks from August 8-11, now in its fifth year, offers festival events that include an African American Art Expo, symposiums, karaoke party and film screenings.

On August 11, Home Movie Day (www.homemovieday.com) is the worldwide celebration of amateur films during which people in cities and towns all over the world meet their local film archivists, learn about the proper storage and care of personal films, and get to watch other people’s home movies. Toronto’s WILDsound Monthly Reading Series offers screenwriters at all levels the opportunity to hear their scripts read aloud by professional actors in front of an audience of their peers, and with feedback from industry professionals that follows, at sessions that meet August 14-17. At Women In Film Chicago’s Backlot Events, take a ‘tour and talk’ of The Chicago Film Office on August 16, to learn about its operation in the city’s motion picture industry and engage in networking opportunities. The On The Road Film Fest comes to a close in Los Angeles with Festival Awards and Closing Ceremonies, culminating the 12 city touring film program that utilizes a fairly new technology in portable outdoor movie screens along with the cooperation of cities and universities across the country. At the NICHE Film and Music Festival in Portland, August 16-19, a combined program will be showcasing feature, short narrative or documentary and varied musical formats, while performing musicians will each have a four song set to vie for the Make Your Mark! artist award. Right before the August 17 launch of Fright Night Film Fest, in Louisville, aspiring filmmakers can make a film from August 9-16 under festival auspices, to be entered in the festival by following the guidelines outlined on the website under “The 7 Day Film Festival.”

The B Movie Celebration, running August 17-19 in Franklin, is pleased to announce that the recipient of its first lifetime achievement award is Lloyd Kaufman of Troma Studios so honored with the award accompanying a day long retrospective of “The Best of Troma” screened, as well as a presentation by the King of B’s himself, Lloyd Kaufman. Aspiring models might be able to beat the deadline of the Atlanta International Fashion Week, running from August 16-19, and send in a application and portfolio by downloading the registration form at: http://www.atlantaintlfashionweek.com/MODEL%20APPLICATION.pdf. BIRTV is a conference and exhibition in the industries of content acquisition, creation, production, and distribution, happening August 21-25 in Beijing. The Atlanta Hip Hop Film Festival, August 24-26, will focus on hiphop genre films and hiphop artists that have made a successful transition into the world of acting. A festival highlight for the Telluride Film Festival opening August 31 in Telluride, is A Tribute To Walter Murch (American Zoetrope), in which a screening from a collection of clips will be followed by the presentation of the Silver Medallion and an onstage interview of the renowned filmmaker.

The above events are just a sampling of what is listed. Most of the reported events above have a submission process for indie and/or performing artists to take part in. Complete details are on the “Media, Entertainment and Performing Arts Industry News and Events” page at http://www.actorschecklist.com/news.html. Video and podcast versions of this news summary are now available at most popular video sites around the Web like MySpace, YouTube, the Apple iTunes store podcast category, as well as on The Actor’s Checklist at http://actorschecklist.com/loudblog/ a great place to get your iPhone, ipod or Apple TV download. This month on video you will see trailers and video clips of Love Inspirational, a 24k Black Films production of a Torrance Colvin film ( http://www.myspace.com/24kblack http://www.24kblack.com ), a coming of age story about reconnecting with your childhood crush who now falls for your best friend; Spreading The Plague, a socially relevant horror feature dealing with the subject of kids, violence and fear, from Off Leash Films, now on DVD, is looking to enlist your help by signing their petition ( http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/plague/ ) to restore the director’s cut altered by Screen Gems ( http://www.spreadingtheplague.com/Text/Trailer.htm http://www.myspace.com/plaguefilm ); Jazz musician Nick Russo and his group Nick Russo + 11, recorded live in NYC while performing jazz tunes from their new CD “RO” ( http://www.nickrusso.org/ http://www.myspace.com/nickrusso11 ), also available on CD Baby at: http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/nickrusso; Deckchair Productions production of a Harry Otto Brunjes film, “La Bella Figura” ( http://www.labellafilm.com http://www.myspace.com/labellafilm ) where 3 weeks of intensive filming in 46 locations across Rome were done with a 2 man crew and an acting cast of over 20; Newark hip hop female emcee Mooka Jerz (http://www.myspace.com/mookaa ) on the Utility Records label ( http://www.myspace.com/utilityrecords http://www.UtilityRecords.net ) declaring this the “Year of the Femcee”. Another welcome goes out to newly initiated iPhone owners to make http://actorschecklist.com/loudblog their premiere video download destination for media industry news and entertainment.

Hollywood Black Film Festival, CineVegas Film Festival, CMA Music Festival, City of New York Music Festival, Bluegrass Masters Film Festival, Los Angeles Film Festival, Hollywood and Games Summit, are Featured Highlights For June Media and Entertainment Industry Career Networking Events

The Webby Awards will honor website innovation and creativity in categories that include Art, Games, Lifestyle, Movie and Film, Music, NetArt and more, during a festival and awards ceremony from June 3-5 in New York. You can browse three floors of exhibitors that provide the essential tools for advancing careers, and actually audition at casting calls, model and talent searches, during the one day only Entertainment Industry Expo on June 3 in New York. The Hollywood Black Film Festival taking place June 5-10 in Beverly Hills, will feature narrative and documentary features, short and student films, music videos and animation in its competitive program, a separate Storyteller Competition for screenwriters, and nightly parties to attend, including the HBFF White Party at Royale on Wilshire. At CineVegas Film Festival in Las Vegas, June 6-16, Jerry Weintraub, producer of Ocean’s Thirteen, will be honored with the Vanguard Producer Award, and joined by his all-star cast from the movie, during opening night festivities which will benefit the aid group, International Rescue Committee for Not On Our Watch, an organization whose campaign is to support Darfur humanitarian relief efforts.

At “Country Music’s Biggest Party,” better known as the CMA Music Festival, running June 7-19, the Fan Fair Exhibit Hall at the Nashville Convention Center, gives four-day attendees the opportunity to meet some of their favorite country music entertainment personalities. Opening the Maui Film Festival in Kahului, June 13-17, a twilight reception theme titled “Taste of the Islands” ends with an after-party at Cosmic Comedy Club. At the In The City of New York Music Festival curated by Manchester-based In The City, in conjunction with AEG Live, panels happen at day, and at least six of the UK’s hottest new bands perform at night followed by after-show events throughout downtown Manhattan. The Bluegrass Masters Film Festival is part of the ROMP music festival, June 21-23, in Owensboro, and features world premier screenings of the International Bluegrass Music Museum’s ‘Video Oral History Project’ films – film documentaries of the lives and musical contributions of bluegrass music’s First Generation.

At the many showcase events during the Los Angeles Film Festival starting on June 21, a June 28 session titled “Actors Who Call Cut,” explores the creative opportunities and challenges actors face when stepping behind the camera to direct. Cinema Expo 2007 running June 25-28 in Amsterdam previews important upcoming cinema releases for the European market while offering a trade show of motion picture industry products, services and concession items, while running in conjunction the Cinema Expo International award presentation. At the Second Annual Hollywood and Games Summit, June 26 & 27 in Los Angeles, business and creative visionaries from both industries address synchronized production, who and how to pitch to the other side. Clive Barker, writer-director of Hellraiser and other films delivers the keynote address. For the Web Video Summit Spring ’07, on June 27-28 in San Jose, one theme that will be pointedly addressed is how new and old media can learn from each other – how net productions can find opportunities in Tinseltown, and what changes “old pros” need to make to succeed in this new web arena.

The above events are just a sampling of what is listed. Most of the reported events above have a submission process for indie and/or performing artists to take part in. Complete details are on the “Media, Entertainment and Performing Arts Industry News and Events” page at http://www.actorschecklist.com/news.html/. Video and podcast versions of this news summary are now available at most popular sites around the Web like YouTube and the Apple iTunes store podcast category, as well as on The Actor’s Checklist at http://actorschecklist.com/loudblog/. This month on video you will see trailers and video clips of Scottish pop rock band Spotty Dog (http://www.myspace.com/spottydoggmusic; http://www.spottydogg.com/), now giving away (http://www.mydatabus.com/public/spottydogg1/SpottyDoggFREECDSingle.rar) copies of their debut single “High Heels”; from acoustic guitarist and comedian, Larry Martinelli (http://www.larrymartinelli.com/; http://www.myspace.com/larrymartinelli); Currently showcased in Australia’s “most sick and twisted short movies,” Trasharama A Go-Go, Australian Premiere entry, “Chicks From Hell” from Director Christos Mouroukis (http://www.myspace.com/christos98); United Kingdom based film Director Serdar Ferit (http://www.myspace.com/serdarferit; http://www.serdarferit.com/) featuring “Elevator Music”, a MyMovie MashUp (http://www.myspace.com/mymoviemashup) short film Entry.