Entertainment Finance Forum, Cartoomics Movies Comics Games, SXSW, FILMART, are event highlights in March

 

The Byron Bay International Film Festival is open to films of all lengths and all genres. All films entered will automatically be considered for nomination in any award categories that the film might qualify for during the selection process. BBFF awards include but are not limited to Best Film, Documentary, Short Film, Drama, Cinematography, Surf Film, Animation, Experimental Film, Environmental Film, Music Video, Best Young Australian Filmmaker (open to Australian Director’s under 25) and an award for the Best Local Film. Normally submissions are handled via the website or email inquiries can be sent to: submissions@bbff.com.au. The Red Carpet Festival Opener is Tony Benn: Will & Testament, a feature-length documentary about the late British political firebrand, socialist and tireless fighter against privilege and injustice filmed over the last two years of his life.

BBFF2015 will host innovative figures in the film industry for workshops, panels and networking events focusing on the art and business of film. Typical of this is the March 7 event, Magic Happens in The Dark: A Filmmakers view of Festivals, where a panel will share their emotional and professional journey onto and around the International Film Festival circuit. Submission tactics and reactions to dismissals or acceptances will be discussed, as will the much coveted final screening. Another free panel on March 8, At Your Own Risk: How Far Will A Director Go To Make A Film?, a panel of filmmakers will discuss the considerable hurdles they have faced in production that require a fine balance of judgment and diplomacy, like shooting hazardous events, dealing in sensitive content and finding themselves in illegal situations. For March 15, an exploration of the ABC Open: Makers and Creators Project will show how to storyboard, shoot and edit a short video then publish it on the ABC (www.abc.net.au/openprojects) with the new ABC Open Makers and Creators project. ABC Open Producer Jeff Licence offers insights to develop storytelling skills and get involved in making videos. The theme for the video is Makers and Creators.

In other special events, BBFF2015 has invited actor David Wenham, of "Pirates Of The Caribbean 5" fame, for a special presentation about his latest film, Force Of Destiny, set for March 7 with the Director Paul Cox in attendance as well. Audiences will have a sneak preview at some of the film's scenes before the film premieres at Melbourne International Film Festival. The Festival’s ongoing “Experimental” category will showcase the cutting-edge of film as art at a free session presented in a “gallery” format. Approximately 20 films from across the globe will be screened on March 12. Another Red Carpet Gala Party on March 14 precedes the festival close on March 15 with a screening of Zen and the Art of Dying, the closing night highlight made by BBFF Alumni Filmmaker Broderick Fox.

Entertainment Finance Forum was conceived and produced by conference operator specializing in film finance conferences, Winston Baker, to provide insight to equity and debt financiers on investment opportunities, challenges and strategies for increased upside as they relate to film, TV and innovations in the digital space. The forum also offers workshops and sessions for producers and innovators looking for effective approaches to fundraising, marketing, distribution, and profitability.

The notable speaking faculty features some of the industry’s most seasoned executives and financiers, award-winning producers, and the newest innovators. Keynote speakers will include leading industry executives and active investors such as James Moore, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Partner of Vine Alternative Investments, who recently announced the closing of the company’s third fund focused on investments in film, television, and entertainment assets with over $500 million of capital commitments. EuropaCorp Chief Executive Officer Christophe Lambert and Schuyler Moore, Partner, Stroock & Stroock & Lavan LLP will also serve as keynotes.

In addition to insightful keynotes, the Los Angeles forum will host workshops on film and TV finance, crowdfunding and production incentives. Featured panel discussions will address: Equity Evolved: Approaches to Smarter Money, Distribution Disrupted: Emerging Independent Platforms, Television Redefined: New Business Models and Revenue Streams, Getting in on the Action of the Big Gaming Industry, Racing for the Gold Rush: Taking Mobile Apps from Development to Market.

Over the three day forum that closes March 11, day one workshops will include: Capitalizing on Crowdfunding, Navigating and Monetizing Production Incentives, Fundamentals of Film Finance, TV Finance 101. Day two workshops are: State of the Industry: The Future of the Big Screen, Equity Evolved: Approaches to Smarter Money, Sky’s the Limit: Sourcing the Capital Stack for Single Picture Deals, Distribution Disrupted: Emerging Independent Platforms, Measurable and Engaging Approaches to Brand Funded Programming, Television Redefined: Shifting Business Models and New Revenue Streams. Day three workshops are: Getting in on the Action of the Big Gaming Industry, Ctrl Alt Delete: Music Rebooted, 360 Degree Marketing: Utilizing the Digital Angle to Increase Returns, Racing for the Gold Rush: Taking Mobile Apps from Development to Market.

Like Comic-Con in San Diego and Supanova Pop Culture in Melbourne, Cartoomics Movies Comics Games shapes up as the Milano version of these popular pop culture destinations. This three day event showcases products like comics, movies, cartoon, video games, collectibles, to that of fantasy based products and services. Operation Fear Film Festival presents, in collaboration with Cartoomics 2015, the latest film by director Ivan Zuccon. A screening will be given March 15, the result of a Italian-American co-production effort, and has in its cast two scream queens well known to fans of Troma's Lloyd Kaufman -- Tiffany Shepis and Debbie Rochon. Like other pop culture conventions, one of the more popular events will be the Cosplay contest. The Cosplay competition starts on opening day with the Light Cosplay Contest, a small parade dedicated to cosplayer that, in addition to free admission, will parade onto a stage to sufficiently display the creations from the Cosplay competitors.

Day two of Cartoomics' Cosplay competition will be the presenting of the Cinecosplay Award, awarded to a cosplayer whose dress is inspired solely to the world of film, TV series and feature film animation. On the final day, hundreds of cosplayers, made up of groups and couples, will perform to show an assembled audience their creations, presided over by an international jury. For Star Wars fans, the large area dedicated to Star Wars in the Sci-Fi Area of Cartoomics 2015 this year will turn into the desert planet of Tatooine, one of the locations most beloved by fans of the saga. In addition to scenes depicting environments on the planet will be exhibited numerous themed props, many of which have never been exhibited before and were made ​​specifically for the Milano event. There will be members of the two Legions: the 501st Italica Garrison and the Rebel Legion Italian Base (the only two groups of Italian Star Wars costuming approved by Lucasfilm). Costumed groups will be available for photographs and interactions with visitors both before and during official parades.

 

 

SXSW is arguably the highest profile event of the month, encompassing three major topic areas: music, film and interactive tech. SXSW Music is a large festival with more than 2,200 official performers and bands playing in more than 100 venues. The festival offers artist-provided music and video samples of featured artists on their official YouTube channel. SXSW Film focuses on new directing talent. SXSW Interactive is focused on emerging technology, and the festival includes a trade show, speakers, parties, and a startup accelerator. There are also official Welcome Events to get things started at SXSW. Attendees can open their SXSW experience by enjoying food, drink and networking. Film, Interactive, Platinum and Gold registrants can sign on for the BBQ Crash Course or the Film and Interactive Taco Meet Up on March 13. Platinum and Music registrants have the opportunity to attend the Music Taco Meetup on March 20 or the Music Mixer on March 18. South by Southwest is run by the company SXSW, Inc. which plans and executes conferences, trade shows, festivals, and other events.

This year the SXSW Job Market is presented by Publicis Groupe and is open to the public March 13-14 with free Guest Pass wristbands, available in advance or onsite at the event. Visit guestpass.sxsw.com for more information. The 29th annual South By Southwest Closing Barbecue and Softball Tournament, the traditional closing social event of the SXSW week, runs from 12:30-17:30 on March 22. The accompanying SXSW Barbecue serves up an authentic Texas spread with all the trimmings (vegetarian options as well), prepared by local Ruby’s BBQ, plus beer, water, and soft drinks. SXSW hosts acts in every stage of their development, including music legends such as Dave Grohl, Stevie Nicks, Prince, Bruce Springsteen, LL Cool J, Lou Reed, Iggy Pop and Depeche Mode. Sonicbids is the exclusive online musical event application platform for the way SXSW handles showcase inquiries. Programming offered by the three festivals (Music, Film, Interactive) is a vast offering. Following, is a paragraph by paragraph roundup of selected highlights captured from each individual festival. Film submission inquiries to SXSW are done through the website at this link: www.sxsw.com/film/screenings/submit. Inquiries about speaking opportunities must go through SXSW PanelPicker page (panelpicker.sxsw.com) for more information.

SXSW opens with Interactive, running March 13-17. Featured Sessions at Interactive showcase reveals the innovative thinkers of the field. Charlene Li, Altimeter Group, leads a session to look at how leaders can use technology to listen, share, and engage with employees and customers, at scale. Google’s Eric Schmidt joins Walter Isaacson, author of Steve Jobs and The Innovators, and Megan Smith, Chief Technology Officer of the United States, discuss the role of collaboration and the iterative nature of progress in all the major innovations of the digital age. At a fireside chat, Mashable’s Pete Cashmore will cover how technology, social media and the explosion of digital have will affect the world’s consumption habits, business models and the way we live. In an interview, Kevin from KROQ's Kevin and Bean show has, A Conversation with Jimmy Kimmel, where Kimmel will share how he got his start, show highlights from some of his favorite moments, and delve into his work as the host and executive producer of his show.

SXSW’s Film Festival segment goes from March 13-21. A conference is part of the program covering a breadth of topics, from digital release strategies, to filmmaking techniques, production, and casting. Some of the vital segments of the film area will be Keynotes consisting of 20 minute one-on-one moderated interviews with three different insiders; mentor sessions that offer attendees one-on-one interaction with industry experts and creative game changers; Future15s that are three high energy, fifteen-minute sessions packed into one hour, structured for informativeness and focus; the Featured Sessions that also include the Conversation series with iconic filmmakers, actors and industry leaders moderated by a noted journalist, academic or fellow creative; workshops covering the latest trends in the industry, providing practical knowledge and inspiration in the form of hands-on experience; mentor sessions that offer attendees one-on-one interaction with industry experts and creative game changers. An offshoot of Film, SXSW Comedy, presents showcases, live recordings, conversations, improvisations, and late night parties. Wristband holders also welcome to all SXSW Comedy events at Esther's Follies, The Hideout, and The North Door.

The South by Southwest (SXSW) Music and Media Conference runs March 17-22. At day there are the panels, talks, the Trade Show, Music Gear Expo and other conference activities at the Austin Convention Center. Panel topics cover everything from touring to releasing your own music to practically every aspect of the music business. SXSW hosts networking opportunities, career-building conference programming and over 100 stages of music for showcasing bands and conference attendees. At night attendees are treated to musical performances from over 2,200 regional, national and international acts taking place at the SXSW Music Festival. SXSW Music Festival showcases occur at over 100 venues throughout downtown Austin. How could anyone know if their favorite band or musical artist is performing this year at SXSW? This linked page () is a breakdown of music rvents sorted by Name on Any Day limited to Showcase. Something to know about the city of Austin is it’s official slogan as “The Live Music Capital of the World,” attributed to the many nightclubs on 6th Street district. The concentration of restaurants, bars, and music venues in the city's downtown core designates its zip code as encompassing the downtown entertainment district hosts the most bar or alcohol-serving establishments in the U.S.A.

The Hong Kong International Film and TV Market - also known as FILMART - is a four day film and entertainment market from March 23, organized by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC). FILMART focuses on the needs of professionals in areas such as distribution, production and acquisition of film, TV programmes, animation, digital entertainment, games, production and post-production services, shooting locations, film commissions, film festivals, film insurance and film financing.

The convention was formed to promote Hong Kong as a regional hub for distribution and production of film, TV programs and entertainment-related products in Asia pacific and to promote cross-media, cross-businesses partnerships. The convention projects itself through a range of exhibit categories, including: finance, film insurance, entertainment-related professional services. film and entertainment festivals/fairs organizers, artist management, cinema operation and management, production and post-production services, pre-production and shooting locations mandated by film commissions, distribution, production and acquisition of film, TV programmes, animation, digital entertainment/games, to list a few areas.

The 13th Hong Kong - Asia Film Financing Forum (HAF) is a marquee area at the convention, happening March 23-25. The HAF brings Asian filmmakers with upcoming film projects to Hong Kong for co-production ventures with film financiers, producers, investors, distributors and buyers. 25-30 projects are selected annually to participate in the three-day event.

TV World 2015 will be in its ninth edition as co-located trade platform with a variety of TV-related business sectors along with FILMART. TV World has set up pavilions covering related sectors, including film, TV, animation, digital entertainment, short films, equipment, post-production and location shooting. A key event here is the International Forum with a panel sharing insights on the development and opportunities in the TV sector. Two anticipated special events of TV World 2015 will be the TV World Opening Ceremony and the TV World International Forum.

Convention organizer the Hong Kong Trade Development Council is a statutory body established in 1966 as the international marketing arm for Hong Kong-based manufacturers, traders and service providers. The organisation has more than 40 offices around the world, including 13 on the Chinese mainland. The HKTDC promotes Hong Kong as a platform for doing business with China and Asia, with opportunities in Hong Kong and on the mainland, while providing information via trade publications, research reports and online.

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/index.php/news-updates/monthly-event-calendar. The events blog also shows links to pages that are translated into ten of the most widely used international languages read over the Internet other than English. This month's photo placement displays the South by Southwest convention logo which will be happening in Austin from March 13-22 and the Cartoomics Movies Comics Games pop culture convention in Milano. If the photo does not appear in this post please visit the blog page to view it. Looking ahead into the next month be aware that: Seventh Annual TV and Film Finance Forum will be in New York City, NAB Show 2015 is in Las Vegas, 2015 Florida Film Festival is in Maitland, WonderCon Anaheim 2015 comic and pop culture convention is in Anaheim, MusExpo 2015 will be in Hollywood, Supanova Pop Culture Expo will be in Melbourne, Mipdoc/Miptv will be in Cannes, AppsWorld: TV and Multi-screen will be in Berlin.

World of Women's Cinema, MIFF 2014, SXSW 2014, Hong Kong International Film and TV Market, are highlights in March's Global Media and Entertainment Industry

In Hollywood, Winston Baker will launch the Sixth Annual Film Finance Forum West in association with Variety from March 4-5. The flagship event of the ongoing Film Finance Forum series will be hosted just a few days after the 86th Academy Awards at the  hotel Ballroom which hosted the presentation of the first ever Academy Awards in 1929. The forum will offer an optional day of workshops on Financing Basics for Filmmakers, Intro to Film Business for Investors, and Innovative Immersion which will tackle next generation financing, sourcing, marketing and distribution strategies. The main conference day will host industry leaders who will address such topics as financing alternatives beyond the traditional capital stack, strategies for content creation, monetizing on IP and the new realities of distribution.

Opening day is devoted to Workshop Day and includes offerings such as: "Filmmakers: Structuring and Financing Micro to Medium-Sized Projects", "Financiers: Film Investment Models, Valuation and Risk Mitigation", "Innovative Immersion: Evolving and Succeeding in the Digital Age", "One-on-One Speed Networking". Opening Day closes with a private reception featuring live entertainment at Beacher's Madhouse. The second day is Main Conference Day and offers opening remarks by Winston Baker, "State of the Industry: Content is King - Monetizing IP in a Fragmented World", a keynote address by Dr. Jeffrey Cole: "Navigating through the New Capital Stack for Single Picture Deals", Case Study Presentations: "How Creative Financing Can Be Applied", "Alternative Methods of Distribution and Content Acquisition by Independents", "Soft Money Re-defined: Identifying and Maximizing on Film Commissions" and more topics.

The Film Finance Forum® Series was created by the Winston Baker team to educate equity and debt financiers on the latest trends and strategies for film investing while mitigating risks, provide producers with effective approaches to fundraising, and offer both audiences ways to create great content and generate revenue through various distribution platforms. Other installments of the Film Finance Forum Series include: TV and Film Finance Forum East in New York City, in April; International Film Finance Forum in Cannes, in May; Film Finance Forum China, in Shanghai, in June; Film Finance Forum Latin America, Rio de Janeiro, in August; Film Finance Forum @ Zurich Festival, Zurich, in September.

World of Women's Cinema - WOW 2014 - is a short film competition and screen culture event celebrating International Women's Day, with awards on March 6 and an Australian wide tour running from March 2014 to March 2015. There will also be international screenings. The opening night program of Australian Shorts 1 will be followed by an After Party and live music by Entangled Note, made up of Annette Golden and Cath Golden. Filmmaker ‘In Conversation’ events will be held in Sydney at Surry Hills Library and at the Art Gallery of NSW with ABC TV film critic Margaret Pomeranz, to celebrate International Women’s Day. On March 5, a photographic exhibition of images from classic Australian cinema, 'Still Women', opens at The Blackeye Gallery.

Dance lovers at WOW festival can view a program of Australian and international contemporary dance films at Metro Screen and the Powerhouse Museum. WOW (which stands for World of Women) and the Australian Writers Guild (AWG) present a Writers Forum with screenwriters - both of which are alumni at Lucasfilm on the Star Wars live action television series - Jacquelin Perske and Louise Fox at the Powerhouse Museum. The WOW Film Festival Tour begins the day after the festival closes on March 14 with Tandanya National Aboriginal Cultural Institute’s screening of From the Spirit of Our Mother Program in their Spirit Festival. The WOW Tour will travel to various locations throughout Australia and overseas throughout 2014 into March 2015.

The 20th San Luis Obispo International Film Festival features a diverse spectrum of contemporary narrative features, documentary and short films from participating independent filmmakers all over the world. Although screenings take place in numerous venues, March 5-9, many will happen in downtown San Luis Obispo. Past Festival highlights have included epic surf and extreme sports films, cutting-edge new films, local and youth films, behind-the-scenes panels, a focus on women filmmakers and issues, and classic film "Hollywood & Vines" events pairing great classics with local wine and food, including historic screenings at Hearst Castle.

On March 5 at the Fremont Theatre, the San Luis Obispo International Film Festival’s Opening Night event will feature 'Starring Adam West', a new documentary by Director, James Tooley. Adam West will be at the screening for a Q&A and will receive the Festival’s third annual Spotlight Award, presented by self-confessed Batman idol and popular Los Angeles radio host on KROQ, Ralph Garman.

Every year, the King Vidor Award for Excellence in Filmmaking is presented at San Luis Obispo to a well-respected industry professional who has made a notable artistic contribution in any facet of the industry. Past recipients include Morgan Freeman, Alan Arkin, Elmer Bernstein, Eva Marie Saint, Norman Jewison, Robert Wise, Sir Richard Taylor and John Hawkes. Each year independent film awards are presented to talented independent filmmakers, and five days of screenings, parties, wine tasting and workshops allow filmmakers networking opportunities. Local filmmaker hosts are also assigned to make navigating the festival and the screening venues spread across the county more manageable.

The Miami International Film Festival had its beginnings as the main activity of the Film Society of Miami, Inc., which was founded in 1983. Domestic theatrical distributors and broadcasters participating in the Festival have included Paramount Vantage, Sony Pictures Classics, Focus Features, Fox Searchlight, Music Box Films, IFC, Sundance Selects, HBO, HBO Documentary Films, HBO Latino, and Miramax, to name but a few.

This MIFF 2014 features a Close-up on China showcasing a number of the year's relevant artistic exports focused on this growth cinema market. MIFF will be collaborating with MDC's Confucius Institute to program this featured section of the work. The films in the 2014 program are: American Dreams in China (中國合伙人), by Peter Ho-Sun Chan (China); Bends, by Flora Lau (China); Trap Street (Shuiyin Jie), by Vivian Qu (China); Web Junkie, by Shosh Shlam & Hilla Medalia (Israel / USA).

The Festival’s inaugural ACE (Ateliers du Cinéma Européen) Co-Production Lab will happen from March 13-15. The Co-Production Lab aims to build an environment for professional development for film companies in Latin America and Europe searching for the opportunity of working together to turn a project into a film. The three-day workshop will bring together over 30 European and Latin American film industry professionals to develop opportunities for artistic and financial cooperation between these territories. The project-based workshop will consist of case studies, pitching sessions, panels, one-on-one meetings and networking events.

Miami International Film Festival’s Knight Competition consists of dramatic works from Latin America, Spain and Portugal, as well as Latino-themed works produced in the United States. The films are competing for cash prizes courtesy of James L. and John S. Knight Foundation. Competing films are eligible for a cash Knight Grand Jury Prize that will be split between the filmmaker and the U.S. distributor of the film. If no U.S. distributor is secured before April 17, 2014, then the full award will be made to the filmmaker.

The festival's VeoMiami program is the industry market of the Festival and is open to all film professionals, including (but not limited to) sales agents, buyers, producers, production executives, craftspeople, financiers, festival programmers, film commissioners, film publicists, and exhibitors. VeoMiami gives access to Industry/Filmmaker invite only events, Happy Hours and networking opportunities, access to Masterclass Seminars, access to online library of films and other privileges. The Freedom Tower plays host to MIFF's Pyrat Gold: Awards Night Rum Party on February 15 the night before the festival close.

Austin's South by Southwest (SxSW) Conferences and Festivals is a trifold event consisting of original music (March 11-16), independent films (March 7-15), and interactive emerging technologies (March 7-11). New media presentations, music showcases and film screenings form the live performance aspect and entertainment for audiences. Conference panel discussions present a forum for learning and business activity. The Digital Creative Job Market at SXSW is presented by Publicis Groupe amd is a meeting spot for the career minded and  companies looking to hire. The Digital Creative Job Market enables talented professionals to match their skills with the 21st century, cutting-edge employers. A directory of the companies in attendance is available to view.

SXSW Film has plenty of programming relating to things musical, and the edition of Filmmakers in Focus talks to the filmmakers behind three music films at SXSW 2014. Alex Steyermark's The 78 Project Movie demonstrates a novel way to record live music. Adam Kahan's The Case of the Three Sided Dream is a portrait of the influential jazz pioneer Roland Rahsaan Kirk, while Jeff Broadway looks at the Stones Throw Records archive with Peanut Butter Wolf and co. in 'Our Vinyl Weighs a Ton' (This is Stones Throw Records)

Taking in the scope of all there is to do at SXSW could be overwhelming. There is obviously much to do and take part in at the SXSW festival. The remainder of this rundown focuses on parties and receptions for registrants to take part in. For instance, the 2014 SXSW Interactive portion of the Festival will host more than 75 official parties and evening events by itself.

March 7, SXSW hosts it's third annual Taco Meet Up at Palm Park. This event – open to Film, Interactive, Gold and Platinum badges – allows guests to network with fellow SXSW attendees and try tacos and sides. Vegetarian options will be offered as well. Guests can meet on the evening of March 11 in the East Tent of Brush Square Park for the Music Mixer and Fajita Meet Up. Music Conference and Festival staff and veterans will be on hand to guide you through your SXSW experience. Savor fajita buffet (including vegetarian options) and complimentary beverages in the East Tent of Brush Square Park. On March 7 celebrate SXsports with this special kick-off reception hosted by Octagon. Connect with other SXsports enthusiasts over food, drinks and music.

March 8 marks the first full day of daytime programming at the 2014 SXSW Interactive Festival. The evening of March 8 also customarily serves as one of the most active nights of social events, ranging from low key happy hours to large concerts to informal geek-centric sporting events. This also includes The Mix at Six Party which usually turns out to be one of the top networking events of all of SXSW Interactive.

The SXSW Fusion Party will be on the evening of March 9. Presented by Associated Press, this get-together is one of the best places to connect with people outside your industry. At the SXSW Fusion Party, the creative worlds of Interactive and Film come together for an evening of cross-fest love. Filmmakers, designers, social media mavens, producers, activists and more converge -- and the results can launch a thousand ships. The SXSW Fusion Party is open to all Interactive, Film, Gold and Platinum badge holders. The 27th annual South By Southwest Closing Barbecue and Softball Tournament, is the traditional closing social event of the SXSW week on March 18.

The Hong Kong International Film and TV Market (FILMART) is an annual film market organized by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC). Now known as a cross-media, cross-industry entertainment trade platform in Asia, FILMART's objective is to promote Hong Kong as the regional hub for distribution and production of film, TV programs and entertainment-related products in Asia pacific and to facilitate cross-media, cross-businesses partnerships. More precisely, it will champion co-operation in areas of film financing, distribution, production, post-production, TV, digital entertainment, film and broadcasting equipment and location shooting.

This year’s Entertainment Expo, from March 24-27, will feature nine multimedia events: the Hong Kong International Film and TV Market (FILMART); the Hong Kong International Film Festival (HKIFF); the Hong Kong Film Awards Presentation Ceremony (HKFA); the Hong Kong – Asia Film Financing Forum (HAF); the Hong Kong Asian Pop Music Festival (HKAMF); the IFPI Hong Kong Top Sales Music Award; ifva; the Asian VFX and Digital Cinema Summit; and the Digital Entertainment Forum.

FILMART’s TV World, which turns eight, is expected to welcome more than 260 exhibitors. The theme of TV World’s International Forum this year is “TV’s New Century: Asia’s Live Programmes.” A series of workshops will also be held, focusing on issues ranging from the Internet and business opportunities to forecasting film and TV content. FILMART will once again present the Intellectual Property Business zone, as well as zones spotlighting location shooting and micro-film, the latter offering award-winning movies.

Among the region’s major film-financing events, this year’s HAF is held March 24-26. Nearly 30 film projects from 11 countries and regions have been selected, attracting film investors, producers and distributors internationally. Independent film and visual media in Hong Kong and throughout Asia will be on show at the 19th edition of ifva, March 13-23. The fourth HKAMF, March 28 at the HKCEC, features seven up-and-coming Asian performers. The singers, from Hong Kong, the Chinese mainland, Taiwan, Japan, Korea, Malaysia and Singapore, compete in the Super Nova Awards. Asian music industry business forums will also be held.

At the seventh Asian VFX and Digital Cinema Summit, March 25, industry experts discuss digital post-production trends. Recent 3D movies will be shown to introduce production techniques. The fourth Digital Entertainment Forum, March 26, examines visual media from full-pixel, real-time motion capture to interactive design and other new production technologies. A city-wide promotion: "Enjoy Great Movies, Enjoy Special Offers", will be repeated from last time in support of Entertainment Expo. The campaign offers the public a 10 per cent discount at any of more than 40 cinemas in Hong Kong.

A statutory body established in 1966, the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) is the international marketing arm for Hong Kong-based traders, manufacturers and service providers. With more than 40 global offices, including 12 on the Chinese mainland, the HKTDC promotes Hong Kong as a platform for doing business with China and throughout Asia. The HKTDC also organizes trade fairs and business missions to connect companies with opportunities in Hong Kong and on the mainland, while providing information via trade publications, research reports and online.

The JUNO Awards celebrates the best in Canadian music. This year will mark the 43rd Anniversary of The JUNO Awards and the 13th Anniversary of its broadcast on CTV. Winners are currently chosen by either members of the Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences or a panel of experts depending on the award. In almost all of the main general categories, such as Album of the Year or Artist of the Year, nominees are determined by record sales during the qualifying period. New members of the Canadian Music Hall of Fame are also inducted as part of the awards ceremonies.

Juno Week 2014 is from March 24-30, and events in that week include: Juno Cup, Juno Fan Fare, Juno Fest 14 Winnipeg, SOCAN presents Juno Songwriters' Circle, PRIX Juno 2014 Awards Broadcast. Official Juno lead up events will include: Dancin’ Tones and Buzzin’ Bones: Celebrating the 2014 JUNOS, Junior JUNOS – Featuring the 2014 Children’s Album of the Year Nominees, JUNO Photography Exhibition, The JUNO Tour of Canadian Art, Sirius XM JUNO Awards Kick-Off, Friday Night Live @ ROM: The JUNOS After Dark. The official JUNO Kick-Off Party is March 27 at Manitoba House. The Juno Awards events were not conducted outside Toronto until 1991 and the various locations often host a number of supporting events and festivals surrounding the awards. This year's event is in Winnipeg, showcasing a new host city and their music scene for the year.

This year, country singer Brett Kissel, seven-time CCMA Award winner Dean Brody, 16-time CCMA winner Gord Bamford are set to join earlier announced performers Matt Mays, Robin Thicke, Serena Ryder, The Sheepdogs, Tegan and Sara, and Walk Off The Earth. In addition, Canadian songstress and eight-time JUNO Award winner Sarah McLachlan will take the stage as a special presenter for MusiCounts, Canada’s music education charity associated with CARAS. The Awards Committee is partnering with SiriusXM Canada to host a JUNO Kick-Off party at Manitoba House featuring performances by The Trews, The New Meanies and Attica Riots. There will be a celebration of Winnipeg’s diversity with a Francophone music showcase and an Aboriginal Nominee Honouring 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. The events blog also shows links to pages that are translated into ten of the most widely used international languages read over the Internet other than English. The 86th Academy Award winners at the March 2, 2014 Oscar ceremony included: Lupita Nyong'o taking Best Actress in a Supporting Role, Jared Leto taking Best Actor in a Supporting Role, Cate Blanchett taking Best Actress in a Leading Role, Matthew McConaughey taking Best Actor in a Leading Role, '12 Years a Slave' taking Best Picture. This month's photo placement highlights the 2014 Academy Awards. If the photo does not appear in this post please visit the blog page to view it. Looking ahead into the next month be aware that: the 2014 NAB Show opens in Vegas, MIPDOC and MIPTV 2014 opens in Cannes, Florida Film Festival will be in Maitland, On te heels of Mardi Gras French Quarter Festival opens in New Orleans, Winston-Baker will conduct the 6th Annual Film Finance Forum East from New York City,