Geographical Region: North America

* Tuesday, October 13. Los Angeles, California, U.S.A.

The Goethe Institute of Los Angeles presents a screening of abstract animated films by German artist, Bärbel Neubauer. The artist will be in attendance and a wine reception will follow. A chronological selection of films will be screened, including her latest film, Firehouse. The Goethe Institute is located at 5750 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 100. For information, call (213) 525-3388.

* Sunday, October 11. Los Angeles, California, U.S.A.

Griffith Place Entertainment presents Hollywood Shorts, a monthly film festival dedicated to introducing emerging directors/writers and producers to Los Angeles film community. This months animated film is Exo-Skeleton and companion cartoons, a 10-minute computer animation by Pyros Pictures. The screening will take place at The Joint, 8771 West Pico Boulevard (at Robertson) in West L.A. from 6 to 9 p.m. Guests must RSVP by October 10. Call (310) 358-7634.

* Friday, October 9 - Sunday, October 11. Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.A.

Anime Weekend Atlanta, the largest Japanese animation event in the Southeast U.S., takes place at the Marriott North-Central Hotel. Scheduled guests include Amy Howard, the voice of Nova on Star Blazers; George Lowe, the voice of Space Ghost and C. Martin Croker, the voice of Zorak and Moltar, from Cartoon Planet; Tim Eldred, artist and animator and Steve Bennett and Kuni Kimura from Studio Ironcat. For information visit www.anime.net/~awa/.

* Tuesday, October 13 - Friday, October 16. Pasadena, California, U.S.A.

Miller Freeman presents the Digital Video (DV) Conference and Exposition at the Pasadena Center. Highlights include courses on Maya and After Effects software, character modeling and animation for the web. For information visit www.dvexpo.com.

OTTAWA WINNERS. The Ottawa International Animation Festival wrapped up on Sunday night with an awards show at the National Arts Center in Canadas capital city. The grand prize went to the new Estonian film, Night of the Carrots, by Priit Pärn who was on hand to accept the award as the festival also hosted a four-part retrospective of Estonian animation.

* Sunday, October 4. Long Beach, California, U.S.A.

California State University, Long Beach hosts an event launching the second annual "Women in the Realm of Computer Visual Arts, Effects, and Animation" web site (www.animation.org/animation/women/). Site creator Kellie-Bea Rainey will speak on the subject. The event is sponsored by Advanced Media Production and will be held from 4 - 7 p.m. The location is building UTC, room 127. The event is free, but RSVP is essential for admittance. For information and directions call (818) 980-5853 or e-mail kellie-bea@kellie-bea.com.

* Friday, October 2 - Sunday, October 4. Virginia Beach, Virginia, U.S.A.

The Neko-Con anime convention takes place at the Holiday Executive Center. Guests of honor include director Hiroki Hayashi ("Bubblegum Crisis"). For information visit www.eskimo.com/~nekocon/.

* Saturday, October 3, Chatsworth, California, U.S.A.

Learning Tree University is offering a one-day seminar on "Writing for Animation" from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Jean Ann Wright, who also leads writing seminars for Women In Animation will be teaching the class. Enrollment is $95, plus a $10 materials fee. To register call (818) 882-5599 or visit www.ltu.org/enroll.htm.

JOE ALONSO has been named international vice president of sales and marketing for CRATER SOFTWARE, creators of CTP (Cartoon Television Program), a 2D animation program for Windows 95 and NT. He will be based in the company's Montreal, Canada office. Alonso previously held sales and marketing positions with Toon Boom Technologies, Softimage and Discreet Logic.

* Saturday, September 26. Los Angeles, California, U.S.A.

From 5 - 8 p.m., Los Angeles art gallery and book store Every Picture Tells A Story hosts a reception with Michael Bedard, illustrator of the new childrens book Sitting Ducks. Bedards work is currently being adapted for an animated TV series and feature film by Polygram. The exhibition of Bedards illustrations will run through October 18. To pre-order signed books or to RSVP for the reception, call (310) 932-6070.

* Monday, September 28. San Francisco, California, U.S.A.

PAUL WAXMAN, a former marketing executive at Irwin Toy, has branched off and formed his own company, D.E.E.P. ENTERTAINMENT. Based in Toronto and Halifax, Canada, the company will focus on development of animation properties such as NuKeD and The Lugs, for which financing partners are currently being sought.