Sonoma Film Fest, London Indie Film Fest, Coachella Music Festival, NAB 2012, Tribeca Film Fest, are highlights in April's Global Media and Entertainment Industry

Coachella Music Festival

The TED (Technology, Entertainment and Design) global conferences, owned by the private non-profit Sapling Foundation, was founded in 1984 to disseminate "ideas worth spreading". It has licensed a new initiative called TEDx - a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers form the program to foster substantive discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = an independently organized TED event. At the April 7 TEDxCoimbatore, in Coimbatore, Tamilnadu, slated speakers include: Melinda Gates, Co-chair Bill-Melinda Gates Foundation, ranked #40 in Forbes magazine list of the 100 Most Powerful Women in 2008. Jayen Varma, Indian Slap Bass Guitarist, who has evolved his unique style by applying Tabla/Mridangam finger technique to his craft, and is completing the recording of a CD with his band Khayal Groove, is a featured participant as well.

The Sonoma International Film Festival is a celebration of independent filmmaking and the art of cinema, set against a backdrop of fine food, the  wines of Sonoma Valley and the visual appeal of Sonoma, California. In one of the special scheduled events, the festival opening April 11-15 hosts the U.S. premiere of 'Sir Billi', the first full-length animated feature produced entirely in Scotland. Retired film legend Sir Sean Connery (who served as executive producer) voices the title role in a story about a skateboarding grandfather and veterinarian trying to save the last beaver in Scotland with the help of his goat Gordon, voiced by Alan Cumming. Sir Billi will screen at the 1930s era Renaissance-style Sebastiani Theatre on April 13. In another special evening at the Sonoma Veteran's Memorial Building on April 14, American filmmaker John Waters presents his one-man "vaudeville" show, 'This Filthy World', that celebrates the film career and obsessional tastes of the writer William Burroughs, once called "The Pope of Trash."

NALIP is a national membership organization that addresses the professional needs of Latino/Latina independent film, television, documentary and media makers. As NALIP 2012 convention unfolds from Universal City, April 12-15, it will include panels and workshops for documentary and narrative filmmakers, feature film directors and aspiring reality TV writer/producers. This year, Robert Rodriguez is the Keynote Lunch Speaker and entertainment legend Rita Moreno is the NALIP Lifetime Achievement Award recipient. NALIP will host a Welcome Reception at Infusion Lounge on CityWalk on April 14. There is also the annual Achievement and Estela Awards Gala Ceremony. Actors can attend the Latino edition of Back Stage's Actorfest on April 12. This all-day event at the Wizards Theater on CityWalk includes workshops like "Breaking Into Hosting," "Demystifying the Audition Process" and "How to Create, Produce and Star in Your Own Webisodes."

Chicago International Movies and Music Festival brings together movies about music, movies for music, movies of music, and movies capturing music as it is made. The entries, coming from all countries and cultures and ranging from documentaries to fiction to concert films to shorts to music videos, have to be about music and/or use music in a creative, integral way. The live performances are inspired by film or feature visual accompaniment. CIMMfest, which runs April 12-15, will consist of four days of movie screenings, panel discussions, workshops, and other programs bringing together professionals and devotees from across the globe to entertain and educate. Premieres by new and established film and video directors, as well as retrospectives, classic films and videos that will screen during the day, and genre-bending musical performances to rule the night at participating venues around the great music town that is Chicago.

The London Independent Film Festival which happens April 12-23 is a festival focused on micro-budget and no-budget films in the UK. LIFF was started eight years ago when a group of first time UK directors looking for a new kind of festival experience, started one outside of the standard festival channels. Today, LIFF has expanded into a supportive system for new filmmakers, and has including a screenplay competition and filmmaker training workshops. LIFF hosts a full programme of workshops and seminars where new filmmakers can learn from experienced filmmakers. There is at least one lecture by a distinguished filmmaker, several panel discussions on such topics as fundraising and post-production marketing of independent films, and workshops run by working filmmakers on the nuts and bolts of the UK industry.

Organized by Goldenvoice, The Coachella Music Festival happens in the desert setting of the Coachella Valley over two consecutive weekends - April 13-15 and April 20-22. Coachella features many genres of music including rock, indie, Hip Hop and electronic music, and there is large sculptural art as well. The event has several stages/tents set-up throughout the camp grounds, each playing live music continuously. Festial maps are available online, on concert grounds and stores close by to serve as an activity guide. A partial listing of scheduled acts over the two weekends include: Black Keys, Swedish House Mafia, Pulp, Arctic Monkeys, Mazzy Star, Afrojack, Sky, M83, Jimmy Cliff, Tim Armstrong, Radiohead, Bon Iver, the Skins, David Guetta, Kaskade, Miike Snow, Jeff Mangum, Sebastian Ingrosso, Andrew Bird, Feist, fIREHOSE, Godspeed You! Black Emperor, SBTRKT, Manchester Orchestra, Dr. Dre & Snoop Dogg, At The Drive-In, Justice, Florence, Machine, AVICII, Beirut, the Weeknd, Calvin Harris, the Hives, DJ Shadow, Nero, Wild Flag, Modeselektor, Dada Life, Santigold, Doctor P. ZIA Record Exchange will be the Official Music Retailer and Artist/Band signing tent at this year’s Coachella. Venue gates open at 11 am each day. A portion collected from the passes benefits the City of Indio and other local charities.

Working on behalf of its radio and television membership, National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) provides members with advocacy efforts, legal expertise and timely communications and opportunities for career growth, professional development and networking with other broadcasters. This year the annual NAB Conention in Las Vegas holds its "Career Day" event April 18, giving an opportunity for media companies to network with experienced professionals, college students and entry-level job seekers interested in a career in the broadcast industry. New to the convention this year, which runs April 14-19, Content Market serves as the new spot for programming executives and media platforms surrounding digital distribution and monetization to meet and discuss collaboration opportunities. Content Theater, an attendee favorite every year as well as the Content Lounge is nearby for relaxing and networking. NAB Official Afterparties include: NAB Show Exhibitor Party on April 14 at TAO Nightclub at the Venetian; NAB Show Opening Party, April 16 at Marquee Nightclub; NAB Show Closing Party, April 19 at TAO Nightclub at the Venetian.

The 11th Annual Florida Music Festival will host more than 150 bands on 10 stages over three nights in its live music showcase. Each night, from April 18-21, a national headliner takes the mainstage at Wall Street Plaza in the center of Downtown Orlando. This year opens with The Dirty Heads. On the conference end, Warped Tour Founder Kevin Lyman is confirmed as this year's Keynote Interview. The 2012 Florida Music Festival and Conference is an experience in live music, film, visual arts and the cultural community. At the VIP level, parties include open bar and catering each night and there is a Brunch on April 21 before the conference seminars.

As the 2012 Tribeca Film Festival program unfolds from April 18-29, the program contains a variety of independent films including documentaries, narrative features and shorts, as well as a program of family-friendly films. The New York City Festival also features panel discussions with personalities in the entertainment world and a music lounge produced with ASCAP to showcase artists. Some of the free events open for the public to attend without charge includes: Steven Spielberg's "Jaws" on April 19; "Tribeca Talks: Pen to Paper" hosted by Barnes and Noble Union Square, and others all happening April 20-24. Kids will have opportunities to participate in the Youth Soccer Showcase — with skills, drills, pointers and competitions supervised by professional coaches on April 21.

The Billboard Latin Music Conference and Awards, set to run April 23-26 in Miami will be of interest to the artists, and other music industry professionals keenly following the developments in the Latin music industry. A conference opening event on April 23 includes SAM Broadcaster In collaboration with Musical Rhythms Promotions, presenting “MAS Y MAS MÚSICA” Showcase to honor “El Caballo Mayor” Johnny Ventura on his 55 year musical career. There will be an after-party following this celebration at Club 90 Degrees. On the evening of April 24, there will be a Poolside Cocktail Reception, featuring La Salsa Vive/Salsa Lives, hosted by Nu Life Entertainment. In one conference session titled "Regional Mexican," the new generation of regional Mexican acts discuss genre trends, violence and marketing and promoting online. The conference culminates with the Billboard Latin Music Awards at BankUnited Center, honoring achievement from artists on today’s Latin Billboard charts.

In its primary function as a provider in games industry news, covering daily developments on their news site and producing the annual Games and Mobile Forum in New York City, Digital Media Wire will on April 24 begin hosting a special event in Los Angeles - LA Games Conference - focused on business, finance and creative developments in the games industry. Emphasis for the new endeavor includes mobile, online and console markets and the increasing intersection of Madison Avenue and Hollywood with the industry. Double Down Interactive President, Glenn Walcott is to be featured in a special case study session of IGT's $500 Million acquisition of the company with Davis Wright Tremaine LLP's Stuart Campbell. An official Expo After-Party at the Tropicana Bar by poolside is to be co-hosted by PayPal, Openbucks and Tagged.

The NYC Downtown Short Film Festival is a program of DMAC-Duo Multicultural Arts Center, a (501 c3) non-profit organization in New York City's East Village. The mission of DMAC is to create, promote and celebrate multicultural arts through theater, music, dance, art and film. The Festival goes from April 26 though May 7, overlapping with the earlier calendar start of Tribeca Film Festival, a time in New York City when New Yorkers and visitors are geared up to attend film festivals. The DMAC theater space has a rich and colorful history when it was previously known as The Astoria. Among other distinguishments, in the early 1970s Francis Ford Coppola rented the theater and shot the famous operetta scene from Godfather 2 on location.

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. 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... American International Film Festival will be in Skokie. New York Festivals International Advertising Awards, honoring advertising in all media from over 70 countries, will be in New York City. The New York Los Angeles International Film Festival, a biannual event taking place in both cities only days apart screens in both cities. The Fifth Annual Film Production and Finance Summit will be in Los Angeles. And Streaming Media East 2012 comes to New York City. And don't forget that the News and Events and the site blog have translation tools to deliver page content in an array of translatable languages other than English.

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SXSW 2012, Martial Arts Film Festival, Variety and Academy TV Summit, Khayal Groove: East meets West, are highlights in March's Global Media and Entertainment Industry

The Byron Bay International Film Festival in New South Wales is strong on supporting independent filmmakers at all stages of their careers. Situated in a sub-tropical enclave with nearby world class beaches, the festival running until March 11, will likely stick to the blueprint of last year's agenda that featured 35 public screenings in Byron Bay with introductions and Q & A sessions by attending filmmakers, free workshops and panels, industry networking functions, school screenings, family-friendly films, free showcases of experimental films and audio-visual experimental film performances. There is a balcony bar for the audience to mix with filmmakers, and extra public sessions held in neighbouring Lismore. 206 films were screened from 35 countries of which 72 were Australian films at last year's festival. The Gala Red Carpet Opening and Closing Nights affairs are always highly anticipated with catered parties that attract full houses.

The San Luis Obispo International Film Festival will have many special events for its festival goers to take part in when it opens March 7-11. And it will actually utilize San Luis Obispo’s Hearst Castle to relive Hollywood heydays of the 1920s and ’30s for one night at the “Hollywood to Hearst Castle” event on March 9. Photographer Timothy White, the SLOIFF’s recipient of the inaugural Spotlight Award, will start off the evening’s festivities by flying onto Hearst Ranch’s private airfield just as William Randolph Hearst’s high-profile Hollywood friends once did. This year, there is a focus on women filmmakers and issues. And there is a "Hollywood and Vines" series, pairing great classics with local wine and food. Next, be prepared to join the sing-along while enjoying the 1958 musical classic, 'South Pacific' on the big screen at the Galaxy Theatres for another special event. Wear a costume and compete for prizes at the reception in the VIP Lounge (age 21+) or just come for the film which will be screened in the VIP and regular theatres (all ages welcome).

The Third Guangzhou International Theater and Cinema Facilities Import and Export Fair in Guangzhou, March 9-11, is a full presentation platform for the theater and cinema facility industry that includes - but is not limited to - the categories: Cinema Playing Equipment, Theater and Cinema Furniture and Decoration Materials, Theater and Cinema Lighting and Sound Equipment, Cinema services, Film Production and Shooting.

In Austin, the much anticipated SXSW 2012 gets underway this year opening March 9 running through March 18. New festival offerings from last year that won praise will be given greater visibility this year, such as the combined SXSW Trade Show for the Creative Industries, which draws from all the events - Interactive, Film and Music. Other show features like the SXSW Block Party is modeled after a traditional pub crawl. Instead of bars, SXSW Registrants move between participating exhibitors for complementary refreshments and networking. SXsaloon plays host to the Trade Show Happy Hour is at 5 pm daily, and is generally used as a place to get a drink, meet friends, plan a schedule, and just recharge before hitting the trade show floor again. Next Stage is the destination for entertainment on the first floor. Like a variety show, this stage hosts panelists, filmmakers, comedians, and musicians that delivers a sample of all that is happening during SXSWeek. To enhance the networking experience, SXSW created a dedicated meeting space in the business epicenter of SXSW, the Trade Show Meet Up Pavilion. A First-timers Guide to the SXSW Experience is available online for download.

The Universal Martial Arts Film Festival (UMAFF) will be held March 17 in Paris, showcasing films that explore the martial practice, philosophy, aesthetic and spirituality. The Universal Martial Arts Film Festival (UMAFF) encourages an emerging generation of filmmakers whose films treat various aspects of the field of the martial arts; those of the arts of combat and the arts of health. The purpose being to collect and to protect the collective memory, to educate the public, to share and to pass on the knowledge. Short demonstrations of: Wushu, Aikido, Tai Chi, and other forms, will take place between each projection. At the end of the screenings, all viewers can vote for the People's Choice Award. An evening cocktail reception will close the festival.

Hollywood Shorts Film Festival is a monthly screening program that celebrates the outstanding achievements in short filmmaking and animation from both U.S. and international directors and their creative teams. This month screenings run in Hollywood from March 18-20. Over 300 short and animated films are programmed year round, and submissions are accepted year round. Hollywood Shorts began on October 9, 1998 at a popular live music venue in Los Angeles called "the Joint". The overflowing crowd packed the house, and filled the sidewalk outside watching films by David Fickas and Mark Kelly, Frank Tota, and animation by Joe Pearson. The annual Spotlight Screenings began as part of our monthly series. These events include: African American ShortsFest at The American Cinematheque in February, Women Filmmakers Shortsfest in Spring, Animation Shortsfest in the Fall.

Interested parties can join Variety and the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Foundation in an exploration of how tradiitional television revenue models are beng forced to adapt to the new disruptive technologies, and then to identify ways to continue to produce quality content and adjust financially to the new reality. Attending the 2012 TV Summit which will only be for one day on March 20 in Los Angeles will also benefit the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Foundation's wide range of educational activities. Established in 1959 as the charitable arm of the Television Academy, the Television Academy Foundation is behind such programs as the Archive of American Television, the Student Internship Program, the College Television Awards, the Fred Rogers Memorial Scholarship and the TV Faculty Seminar. An evening cocktail and networking reception closes the day's activities.

Bloomberg BNA | CITE, formed specifically to educate U.S. and foreign multinationals and companies engaged in international business on the tax, legal and accounting aspects of doing business overseas, presents the International Film and TV Finance Summit in Los Angeles, March 22-23. The Summit focuses on obtaining finance and tax incentives to get independent and studio films made, distributed and marketed in today’s market place. In brief, the Summit agenda will: explain ways to generate financial support for films utilizing brand integration and product placement. Reveal how sales agents and distributors can generate the domestic and foreign distribution needed to make a film a success. The role of banks and specialized finance companies in providing financing for film production, and other industry related topics.

An innovator of Indian Slap Bass style, who is currently recording the first album with his band Khayal Groove featuring classical vocalist Aparna Panshikar, Jayen Varma (http://www.jayenvarma.net/) will have a series of engagements throughout March including song composing, recording sessions, master class workshops, and a major recital at Kochi's largest performing arts venue, JT Performing Arts Center in Kochi-Kerala, March 24. In the Slap Bass style, Jayen Varma has applied Tabla/Mridangam finger technique on Bass Guitar. In 2008 The Registry of Official World Records (Record Holders Republic) USA & UK, declared him the world's Fastest percussive bassist.

The Female Eye Film Festival (FeFF) celebrates its 10th Anniversary edition showcasing international women directors from around the globe when it launches its festival in Toronto, from March 28 through April 1. The FeFF selectively presents a few short films co-directed by a male/female team annually. The Script Development Program is open to female and male writers with the provision that the script features a female protagonist. All panel discussions, script readings, industry events, receptions and the Closing Awards will take place at the Novotel Toronto Centre.

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. Also this month is a new undertaking to offer the news summary in various translated versions, viewable as a .pdf document and delivered via file sharing and content deliver network protocols among other means. Gazing ahead into the next month March, be aware that... The epicurean oriented Sonoma International Film Festival blending the pleasures of fine food, film and award winning wines will be in Sonoma. The Palm Beach International Film Festival comes to Palm Beach. Fantastic Planet: Sydney International Sci-Fi & Fantasy Film Festival, will be in Sydney. London Independent Film Festival for micro-budget and no-budget films launches in London. NAB 2012 will be in Las Vegas. And 2012 International Independent Filmmaker Expo will be in Miami, just to run through some events drawing close to be aware of. And don't forget that the News and Events and the site blog have translation tools to deliver page content in an array of translatable languages other than English.