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AtomFilms and Lucas Online are joining forces to launch The STAR WARS Fan Film Network, an official Website for STAR WARS-inspired fan work. AtomFilms is now accepting submissions of STAR WARS parodies and documentaries for consideration to showcase on the site. The STAR WARS Fan Film Network will launch later this year as a premier spotlight within www.atomfilms.com. Participants will have access to a library of audio clips including Darth Vader breathing, the lightsaber wave and Rebel blaster fire, to incorporate into their own original works.

* Thursday, December 7 Sunday, December 10, 2000. Paris, France.

Harvey Entertainment and Hartbreak Films are teaming up to develop a new live-action TV series for the WB based on the cartoon character Richie Rich. The show, however, will place a grown up Richie in college adapting to his new life as "the richest kid in the world" in a more normal environment. The project is a plan to strengthen WB's Friday night line-up, which currently is anchored by Hartbreak Films' SABRINA THE TEENAGE WITCH. This move adds another toon based live-action adaptation to the WB's fall 2001 line-up. The WB has already ordered 13-episodes of the Warner Bros.

By knocking the four-week box office champion MEET THE PARENTS out of the top spot, CHARLIE'S ANGELS was truly blessed at this week's U.S. box office. The 1970s TV-show remake, with primary visual effects by Flash Film Works, racked up an amazing US$40.13 million. In other debuts, DreamWorks' golf fantasy, THE LEGEND OF BAGGER VANCE, came in at #3. The links lullaby, with primary visual effects by PDI, grossed an estimated $11.52 million. Falling from fourth to land in sixth, BEDAZZLED danced in with another $4.66 million.

* Tuesday, December 5 Wednesday, December 6, 2000. London, U.K.

Marvel Enterprises, Inc. has named Steve Milo president of Marvel New Media. In his new role, he will oversee development, organization and implementation of Marvel.com's strategic direction. Previously, Milo spent 5 years in senior management positions at Fandom and AnotherUniverse.com, a leading e-commerce and content site for toys and collectibles, which he founded.

Paris-based animators Mac Guff Ligne have created seven new Pillsbury Doughboy spots. According to Mac Guff Ligne executive Niko Trout, the main challenge faced by his company's designers and animators was learning proper respect for the character. "The only thing we had as reference was our own Michelin man," Trout said. "We had to be careful to understand the permutations of what we were dealing with." Working on the spots for Mac Guff Ligne were executive producer/CG and special effects wizard Nicolas Trout, visual effects supervisor Frank Baradat and executive producer/U.S.

* Tuesday, November 28 Sunday, December 3, 2000. Viareggio, Italy.

The 17th EuropaCinema & TV Film Festival highlights European film and television projects. The festival has a European animation shorts category. All films must be 15 minutes or less. For more information contact Thomas Martinelli at: Tel.: ++39 (0)6 42011184 or ++39 (0)6 4200021; Fax ++39 (0)6 42010599; E-mail: lthomasm@yahoo.it(link sends e-mail); or Web: http://www.europacinema.net.

AWN's Web Animation Guide is the place for what's new on the Net. This week's installment features a Distant Corners' Halloween horror marathon, AtomFilms' Animation Showdown and much, much more.

Get your Web Animation Guide here!

Also every week AWN's associate editor Rick DeMott highlights what he thinks is the top new toon in cyberspace in "Rick's Picks!"