Chicago International Film Festival, New York Television Festival, PhotoPlus International, Jazz CD Review: The Journey, are highlights in October's Global Media and Entertainment Industry

PLASA London opens its international entertainment technology show for the event, entertainment and installation technology industries, showcasing technology and gear to an audience of pro audio, lighting and stage technology users. More specifically, PLASA London showcases new audio, video, lighting, stage engineering and systems integration technology, which generally finds its way into live events, concerts, tours, theatre productions, corporate events, venue installations, nightclubs and leisure attractions. During the show, parties, awards ceremonies and parallel events are ongoing, setting up an environment to cultivate relationships between manufacturers, distributors, rental houses, dealers and end-users. The programming at PLASA London also features well regarded and fully comprehensive seminar and workshop sessions which are open to all attendees. PLASA London is owned and organized by PLASA, an international trade association for entertainment technologies. In addition to PLASA London, which runs through October 8, PLASA Events organises a series of networking events for regional entertainment technology communities. PLASA Focus began in 2009 in Leeds in the North of England, and is now touring the US and Europe.

The 137th AES Convention is gearing up to take place October 9-12 in the revitalized L.A. Live district. Returning to Los Angeles after a nearly 12 years absence, the AES Convention will draw out audio professionals with opportunities to hear from audio industry figures while also taking in the latest research and technology information through informative papers, tutorials, workshops and special events. Neil Portnow, President/CEO of The Recording Academy® (GRAMMY), will deliver a keynote address on how the Academy and its P&E Wing take on the challenges and opportunities currently facing recording professionals. There are many areas comprising AES workshops and special events that are planned. AES will debut their new “Raw Tracks” series as part of this year’s Recording and Production Track. The new series features producers and engineers discussing and deconstructing the classic recordings from some of music’s well regarded artists.

Highlights of the AES Convention include the Project Studio Expo, created in partnership with Sound On Sound to bring the latest techniques, tools, and experts together for professional training on topics ranging from acoustics in small spaces to microphone placement, mixing, and mastering. A Live Sound Expo will offer advice for the attending live sound engineers, bringing professionals with many years of experience to the stage to inform the attendees. A "Sound for Picture Track" focuses on the new frontiers of immersive sound and object-based mixing. A planned off-site Tech Tour will feature a hands-on demonstration and Master Classes on Auro3D Immersive Sound Mixing conducted at The Dub Stage in Burbank by Marti Humphrey and Chris Jacobson. There will also be the "Project Studio Expo" in association with leading recording technology publication 'Sound On Sound', geared toward sharpening skills of the home recordists. At a planned GRAMMY SoundTable event on October 11, five cross-genre hit-makers will debate the who, what, when, where, and why of songs that have stamped a resilient impression in music archives.

2014 marks the 50th Anniversary Chicago International Film Festival. Cinema/Chicago, the organizer of the Chicago International Film Festival, is a year-round cultural and educational non-profit organization dedicated to promoting better communication between people of diverse cultures through the art of film and the moving image. The films are all Chicago premieres and many are world or U.S. premieres. As its October 9 Opening Night film, the festival has selected “Miss Julie,” directed by veteran actress - and Ingmar Bergman collaborator - Liv Ullmann and starring Golden Globe®-award winning actors Jessica Chastain, Colin Farrell and Samantha Morton. The red carpet event starts at 18:00. Director Liv Ullmann is scheduled to attend.

There are panels and special events lined up for Chicago International Film Festival 2014. An October 14 New Directors panel, "National Identity In The Global Marketplace", where assembled filmmakers from a cross-section of world cinema discuss the ways in which artists can create films that raise common ground sensibilities, the differences that make each culture unique, and finesse an approach toward cross border storytelling. "What Is An Independent Film?" on October 19, traces the path of filmmaking both the U.S. and abroad, since the rise of the studio system at the turn of the century, and how the integrity of independent film has been affected by the unprecedented level of access granted by present day filmmaking technologies. October 23 Closing Night celebration includes film screening - EFWILDP - and after-party to follow. 

Cinema/Chicago, the presenting organization of the Chicago International Film Festival, is a year-round non-profit cultural and educational organization dedicated to promoting better communication between people of diverse cultures through the art of film and the moving image. This year the Festival presents Spotlight Scandinavia, the fourth year of the World Cinema Spotlight Program. This year’s program highlights the range of contemporary cinematic cultures across the five Nordic countries. In addition to the Chicago International Film Festival, Cinema/Chicago presents year-round public and educational programs including the Education Outreach Program, Member Screenings, the Chicago International Television Competition (April), CineYouth (May), International Screenings Program (May-September), and INTERCOM (October). Proceeds from the Chicago International Film Festival support these important initiatives.

TV:Xperience is a UX convention from the TV Connect series looking at how multiscreen is influencing the evolution of the user experience and changing the central business models around the connected tv eco-system. This is a central issue for telcos, cablecos, broadcasters and content producers looking to monetize the second screen experience. This New York City event will be building on last year’s annual, flagship TV Connect show held in London. The series is part of a global brand with regional shows in Middle East/North Africa, Eurasia, Asia and Latin America. TV:Xperience forms a tangent of the TV Connect brand, but looking more closely into the adoption of the user experience. Along with an examination of how the innovation around multiscreen content has influenced the evolving user experience, the show will place focus on new developments in User Interface (UI) and the rise in the role of content security and payment platforms to act as effective monetization models.

In more detail, agenda topics will include: Understanding the evolution of the Consumer Experience, Offering the Consumer a Unique Multiscreen Experience, Establishing Strong T Commerce and Micropayment Platforms, Analyzing the role of Big Data on an Evolving UX, Taking Multiscreen consumer relationships to the next level of engagement, Monetizing the Multiplatform Pay TV Environment, Creating End to End Multiplatform Solutions, Understanding the Role of DRM in the new UX Engaging the user in a non linear environment, Assessing how data analytics is Impacting on the future of content, Evolution of Non Linear Content and its impact on the User Experience. TV:Xperience runs for three days through October 15.

Over five days opening October 15, NYC Independent Film Festival showcases independent filmmaker, documentaries, short and feature-length films, music videos, and animation. The festival will screen narratives, documentaries, short films, super shorts, animation shorts and music videos. The festival will showcase all genres of narratives from comedy to drama and from thrillers to love stories. NYC Indie Film Festival honors the Best in Category which includes Best Narrative Feature, Best Documentary, Best Short Documentary, Best Short Narrative, Best Super Short, Best Music Video, as well as Best Director and Best Screenplay. Bob McAndrew who served in talent development capacities at Paramount, 20th Century Fox and as an independent, leads a discussion about "On Camera Acting" on October 15.

New York Independent Film Festival is talent centric in its focus, offering talks and workshops on various aspects of developing industry skills and capabilities. Attend and meet the experts on Distribution and hear what they have to say about the future of distribution during a session taking place on October 16. On October 17, Improv Nation Training Center leads a session to develop the skills necessary used to create an improv scene by focusing on the who, what, where, when and why of the scene. Also on October 17, a workshop designed to introduce directors to a step by step method of guiding and inspiring actors towards achieving specific results in their performances through the use of active language, and following that a meeting and discussion about acting with actors and actresses behind the films of the NYC Indie Film Festival.

The New York Television Festival was founded in 2005 as the TV industry’s festival for independent television creation and artist recognition. A pioneer of the “independent television” movement, the Festival maintains initiatives of development and talent identification. While maintaining a different stance to the traditional television development model, The NYTVF works in partnership with networks, studios, brands and agencies to deliver its projects and to showcase promising talent. Many activities on the NYTVF schedule are free to the public, but admission is based on seating availability. Aside from daily panels, IPC Screenings and other events, there are scheduled happy hours and cocktail parties nightly for the run of the festival (October 20-25) for NYTVF Connect Industry Pass holders. The Connect Industry Pass will provide top tier artists and entertainment executives access and opportunities that maximize Festival participation, providing them with the tools to network, build relationships and collaborate on projects.

Quite importantly, the NYTVF exists as a year-round development incubator, providing independent artists with multiple opportunities to create, share and showcase their best and most promising ideas. Each year the NYTVF offers creators opportunities to showcase their original pilots and web series through the annual Independent Pilot Competition and stand-alone sponsored initiatives. The Independent Pilot Competition (IPC) is the NYTVF’s flagship, annual competition, accepting independently-produced, original television pilots and web series from around the globe. Official Selections from the IPC will screen in competition during the annual New York Television Festival each fall. IPC Official Selections are eligible for the competition's category and individual achievement awards as well as development deals from Festival Development Partners.

Throughout the year, the NYTVF collaborates with networks, studios, and brands to provide exclusive submission opportunities for indie creators to develop projects with industry partners. These sponsored initiatives allow creators to tailor their original projects exclusively with a particular partner in mind. In each case, the partner will guarantee a deal for at least one project selected. Projects selected as finalists or semi-finalists in sponsored initiatives will also be named as Official Selections in the New York Television Festival. The winning project will enter into an option deal with the corresponding network and the remaining finalists and/or semi-finalists will be eligible for NYTVF Festival Development Deals once the period of exclusivity with the original initiative sponsor has ended. In addition, all creators with finalists or semi-finalists projects in sponsored initiatives will be named Official Artists and are eligible for the benefits of NYTVF Connect.

PhotoPlus International Conference + Expo is a photography and imaging show happening in New York City and attended by professional photographers and enthusiasts. PhotoPlus Expo is organized by Photo District News (PDN), a monthly magazine for the professional photographer. At the expo, thousands of new products and services from exhibitors, including Canon, Nikon, Sony, and Epson will be on display. Over 90 educational seminars and intimate hands-on labs will be on the schedule to choose from. In "A Day Without News", a keynote panel discussion, David Friend Vanity Fair's Editor of Creative Development, Santiago Lyon Director of Photography at AP, and photojournalists Lynsey Addario, Ron Haviv, and Antonio Bolfo reveals first hand insights about how the increase in targeting of journalists at global conflict zones affects each panelist, their colleagues and the changing role of journalists overall.

PhotoPlus Expo conference seminars are held every day - October 29 through November 1 - are divided into nine program tracks: lighting, weddings and events, genres, social media/marketing, business, portraiture, filmmaking, post-production, steps. There will be a Master Class session limited to 25 participants covering Lighting/Posing, Portraiture, Editorial, Post-Production, Audio for Filmmaking, Business/Marketing, and more. A two-day Intensive Filmmaking Class, limited to 20 participants is offered. Over the two day session participants work with instructor Joe Switzer to capture, direct and produce the action and activities of the PhotoPlus Expo. The University will be a hands-on, interactive series of classes, suited for emerging photographers to learn from working professional photographers how to strengthen shooting and posing techniques as well as lighting techniques. ShootNYC @ PhotoPlus will be an informative three day event held in conjunction with the PhotoPlus Expo. It will conduct free seminars.

Jazz CD Review: Considering that 'The Journey' is a debut album (released July 2013), Ezra Brown's opening shot comes across with veteran instincts about the kind of music resonating throughout our mass media culture and more than just a hunch about what people like listening to in our music ecosystem. It seems that the various tracks could have their own adaption into the various industries of the professional and commercial (retail) music worlds... e.g., television and film soundtracks, commercial advertising jingles, wedding celebrations, and of course just quality, audiophile level listening music. The smooth texture of notes blown from his tenor saxophone form jazzy, soulful melodies, but with a rhythm that could have you rock side to side (or forward and back). As alluded to previously, this album and the individual singles on it (in the viewpoint of this reviewer) figure into a range of possible adoptions in the music ecosystem. 'Flower Pot' is certainly a danceable tune and 'New Joint' could be too. 'Slow Joint' puts me in mind of a wedding anthem, particularly after a newly wed couple at their reception has just been toasted and then takes to the floor for the first dance.

The funky 'Cookout', another danceable tune, is one of my favorites. I imagine it being used as a track for an urban family TV sitcom -- think Sanford and Son from the 1970s. 'Her' seems to have a more somber tone and one could see it adapted to such appropriate occasions. 'New Jesse Song' is a film score waiting for placement. I could go on about EZra Brown's debut album, who at the time of this writing is taking his music across the globe with stops in regions like South America, Europe and the Far East, but its now up to you to form your own opinions. 'The Journey' is available now on iTunes, Amazon, Google Play, CD Baby. And Ezra Brown, of course, maintains a Facebook Like page. This will be a great exercise for anyone purchasing Ezra Brown's masterful work to attempt to figure out where in the professional/commercial/casual listening music spectrum do these musical pieces fit into. Your adventure awaits you!

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. This month's photo placement highlights the opening of the Chicago International Film Festival and SoulMuzik Saxophonist, EZra Brown (www.ezrabrown.com), for which there is a review of his debut album, 'The Journey'. 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 World Animation and VFX Summit returns to the California Yacht Club in Marina Del Rey, the American Film Market (AFM) begins a day earlier than last year in Santa Monica, Casual Connect Eastern Europe 2014 opens in Belgrade, AFI Fest 2014 will be in Hollywood, International Film Festival of Wales will be in Newport and Cardiff, The 15th Annual Latin Grammy Awards comes to Las Vegas.

Berlinale, Country Radio Seminar, Publishing and Media Expo, Byron Bay Film Festival, are highlights in February's Global Media and Entertainment Industry

In Cannes since 1967, the annual MIDEM (acronym for Marché International du Disque et de l'Edition Musicale) event has thrived as an international b2b event encompassing tradeshow, conferences, competitions, networking events and live performances, as well as a platform for showcasing new artists, musical trends and music-related products, and conferences educating about the music industry and new revenue streams. Since 2000, the night before MIDEM opens, the Palais des Festivals hosts the NRJ Music Awards. The awards ceremony is organised by NRJ, a French multimedia conglomerate. 

Slated speakers at this year's MIDEM Talks include, Rita Ora, Jean Michel Jarre, will.i.am, Marc Geiger, Lyor Cohen and others. Competitions and participative music events at MIDEM 2014 will include: Open Mic, Midemlab, Pitch Your Song, Midem Hack Day, Play Midem Live, Sync Sessions. Reed MIDEM is the owner and organizer of the annual midem conference which runs through February 4.

In this year's program, Brazil will be the official "Country of Honour" and therefore will receive special conference and performance attention. “The Brazilian Music Experience,” presented by The Ministry of Culture, will comprise three evenings of concerts demonstrating the musical diversity of this country. The scheduled lineup of performers, including Alceu Valença, Rita Benneditto, Leandro Fregonesi, Renata Jambeiro and Márcio Faraco offer genres ranging from samba to bossa nova, through shades of jazz and hip hop. There will be a scheduled industry talk, "Inspiration From Brazil" that will explore the impact of emerging markets and Brazil's role in this trend.

The European Film Market runs for nine days through February 14 in the city of Berlin as part of one of the most regarded film festivals internationally, the Berlinale. Taking place as early as it does in the year, it is a strong draw for international film industry professionals and is considered a barometer for the upcoming year in film. The EFM is the business centre of the festival, taking place in the renaissance exhibition hall of the Martin-Gropius-Bau (MGB) in the heart of Berlin.

This year on the first day of the Market, the EFM offers an introductory session, “Shortcuts for First-Timers” at the Gropius Mirror restaurant. The event will inform first-time EFM participants about the European Film Market, the Berlinale Co-Production Market and the Berlinale Talents, as well as about current Festival offerings.

For some years at the festival a selection of German films has been spotlighted in a German Cinema series which was reformed in 2011 to become German Cinema – LOLA@Berlinale. The program presents films slated for the German Film Awards (aka Lola) by the German Film Academy. Active honorary member of the German Film Academy, Heinz Badewitz, long-standing head of German Cinema, continues to host the series. LOLA@Berlinale is a joint project of the Berlin International Film Festival, the German Film Academy and German Films, the national company for promoting German films.

The European Film Market 2014 welcomes the Berlinale Talents at the newly instituted Berlinale Talents Market Hub hosted by Canon. Talents prospects will not only learn of EFM structures, but can also use this platform to introduce themselves to trade representatives and establish sustainable contacts. EFM visitors get a first impression of the 40 film projects developed in the various Berlinale Talents project labs, exchange ideas with emerging distributors and producers and discover new Talents.

The Berlinale Co-Production Market is a two-and-a-half-day event for about 450 international producers, sales agents, distributors as well as broadcasting and funding representatives active in the field of co-production. The eleventh Berlinale Co-Production Market takes place from Sunday to February 9-11. Each autumn, production companies from around the world seeking co-production partners can submit projects. What this eventually results in is the arrangement of customized meetings that is part of the service offered by the Berlinale Co-Production Market.

Further to the one-on-one meetings, participants can find the latest hands-on information and make new contacts through the many networking opportunities during the market. Case Studies on Berlinale films elaborate on current trends in co-production and financing opportunities and in Theme Talks participants can exchange experiences with experts and colleagues on selected topics.

During the nine days of the EFM, the Martin-Gropius-Bau's beautiful Renaissance exhibition halls, dating back to 1881, are outfitted to host over 8,000 industry professionals. The main meeting place is in the Central Hall, whose café atmosphere make it a comfortable and productive networking area. There is also the EFM Lounge on the second floor - an ideal place to work or meet for a drink. The lounge also hosts events and receptions during the Market.

Taking place for one day, February 12, the Westminster Media Forum in London holds a conference that will examine the emerging commercial, regulatory and public policy challenges for the European audiovisual sector in the context of the European Commission Green Paper -- "Preparing for a Fully Converged Audiovisual World: Growth, Creation and Values". The conference will offer delegates an opportunity to examine the impact of convergence on media, telecoms and technology markets. In particular, the forum explores the effects on competition, innovation and sector financing, the emerging priorities for reform of the AVMS Directive and options to deliver a future regulatory framework able to keep pace with rapid developments.

Westminister Forum guests who will deliver keynote addresses include, Lorena Boix-Alonso, Head of Unit, Converging Media and Content, DG CONNECT, European Commission and Louise McElvogue, Principal, Macleod Media and Member, Convergence Review Committee 2011-2012, Department of Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, Australia.

Next, another Westminister Media Forum conference set for February 28 will cover the UK music industry - streaming services, social media and market consolidation. This conference will assess how the music industry is positioned to adapt to the emerging financial and business challenges created by technological and media convergence. Crispin Hunt, Co-Chief Executive Officer, Featured Artists Coalition; Francis Keeling, Global Head of Digital Business, GDB, Universal Music Group and Geoff Taylor, Chief Executive, BPI (British Recorded Music Industry) will deliver keynotes offering insight as to how services such as Spotify, Vevo and iTunes Radio are changing the economics of music, and the implications of increased disintermediation between artists and fans - in particular the developing challenges for marketing and public relations from the use of social media.

London based Westminster Forum Projects (WFP) operates a group of influential, impartial and cross-party forums. The forums organise senior-level seminars on a wide range of public policy areas. None of the forums has a policy agenda of its own, other than simply to raise the quality of debate on public policy developments and so create opportunities for informed discussion.

The Country Radio Seminar is an annual Nashville convention put together to educate and promote through an exchange of ideas and business practices in the Country music industry, with emphasis on issues relevant to Country radio. The Country Radio Hall of Fame dinner and induction ceremony unofficially opens the Country Radio Seminar each year. February 18, the Country Radio Hall of Fame Cocktail Reception is followed by the Country Radio Hall of Fame dinner and induction ceremony.

The Country Radio Hall of Fame is dedicated to the recognition of those individuals who have made significant contributions to the radio industry over a 20-year period, 15 of which must be in the Country format. There will be an official opening night reception set for February 19 and a kick-off night performance with a lineup includes Grand Ole Opry members Carrie Underwood, Rascal Flatts and Old Crow Medicine Show, along with Thompson Square, Love and Theft, Brandy Clark, Will Hoge, and Eric Paslay. The event will start at 19:00, immediately following the CRS Opening Night Welcome Reception.

Some of the CRS highlights to expect include conference presentation of data from a comprehensive Country music research study on the increased popularity country music is seeing with  12-34 year-old age groups. Iconic producers/musicians (Hall, Johnson and Oldham) are featured in a new documentary: Muscle Shoals (Magnolia Pictures), telling their tale of the surge in music trend setting within a small town on the Tennessee river which started in the sixties amidst the backdrop of the societal revolution of the 60's Civil Rights movement, and that helped to set the benchmarks for the Rock, Pop, R and B, Soul and Country movements. The screening will feature clips from the film and conversation with the musicians.

And in other CRS highlights running through the February 21 conference close, the CMA Vocal Group of the Year, Little Big Town, presents a panel about perseverance in the country music industry at CRS 2014. Bob Kingsley will conduct an interview with the band throughout the session, which will take place February 19 in the Nashville Convention Center. A “Team UMG at the Ryman” luncheon will feature artists from the Universal Music Group roster.

Publishing abd Media Expo in London is an event intent on revealing the future of publishing with its multi-channel content demands, and unites the media industry reflecting the emerging new and traditional forms, with new ideas and solutions. Established in 2005, Publishing and Media Expo sets out to define the future of publishing through keynotes, seminars and exhibition areas from February 25-26. Keynote speaking assignments happen in the Keynote Theatre. Simon Birkenhead, Director of Global Advertising Sales, Telefónica Digital will address the "Future of Mobile - What's next after the Smartphone".

The expo will have education content spread across three key areas representing the industry. The "Audience and Data Theatre" program will examine the next wave of digital disruption in publishing is aimed at removing boundaries and enabling people to interact with digital content across their devices. Catherine Flynn, Manager, Global Marketing Solutions (UK), Facebook will delve into "The future of social media as a marketing platform" and how Facebook will continue to adapt and evolve as a marketing tool. Simon Birkenhead, Director of Global Advertising Sales, Telefónica Digital reviews the Future of Mobile and What's next after the Smartphone. There will be an exploration of the issues and pitfalls facing the real monetisation of mobile media.

Numerous networking hot spots situated across the show floor including: the TFM&A Networking Bar, the OA&A Networking Bar, the GMA Lounge, the By Invitation Only Lounge (Open to VIP only). The latest solutions & technology. Ensure attendees are adapting ahead of their competitors, visit the vast range of solution providers offering the latest technology and innovation.

Independent filmmakers from over 40 countries and at all stages of their careers are able to to showcase their work across all genres at the Byron Bay International Film Festival in New South Wales. Social networking engagements include the gala red carpet opening and closing night parties, or festival-wide access to the sunset bar for a quiet drink, mingling with Australian and international industry figures. A free Full Moon Beachside Cinema event will be held on February 14. The film’s chosen selection for the evening will be heart-warming, funny and impacting with the themes of ‘connection’ and ‘relationships’ chosen for the evening’s programming.

This year the festival during the course of its run from February 28 - March 9 will host a range of workshops, panels and networking opportunities. There is a presentation through alternative funding and distribution options and how to run a successful crowdfunding campaign. There is a scheduled talk about composing music for different screen environments and how to develop a career in composing for screen. A Masterclass with Australian cinematographer Don McAlpine will be held following the BBFF screening of Show Me the Magic (Cathy Henkel).

An opportunity for filmmakers to meet international and Australian film buyers and find out what they are looking for is on the agenda. There is to be a constructed meeting place sanctuary for established and emerging filmmakers to greet, network and make creative connections with figures in the film and television world. Charles Schuerhoff, Don McAlpine ACS ASC, Mandy Chang (ABC) and Ted Emery and other special guests will be in attendance. A final Red Carpet Gala Party happens a day before festival close on March 8 where awards will be handed out, including the big one for Best Film.

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. This month's picture placement reflects The Oscars will honor the 75th anniversary of “The Wizard of Oz”. Oscar Week events begin February 14 and the Academy Award presentations will be March 2. If the photo does not appear in this post please click this link to view it. In a look ahead into next month's calendar events, we have: American Model Awards, in Las Vegas; Guangzhou International Interactive Multimedia Fair 2014, in Guangzhou; the 6th Annual Film Finance Forum West comes to Los Angeles; SXSW Convention, returns to Austin; 6th Annual Film Finance Forum West, comes to Los Angeles; Hong Kong International Film & TV Market 2014, in Wanchai; The Oscars, will be held in Hollywood.

Toronto International Film Fest, Game Music Connect, Dubai Music Week, The Film Society, are highlights in September's Global Media and Entertainment Industry

Ezra Brown - saxophonist, keyboardist, music director, arranger - has released his debut album, 'The Journey', available on iTunes (as of September 3 on the iTunes “Jazz Album Under $8” Bestseller list), Google Play, CD Baby and Amazon. An album tour is underway, and a September 6 date in Yokohama features a birthday party celebration in live music lounge and restaurant, KAMOME Live Matters. There are many tour dates in Kyoto, Osaka, Tokyo and other cities, but on September 14, the tour ventures to Kuala Lumpur for the one day KL International Jazz Festival. After Kuala Lumpur, other dates include September 25 in Tokyo, September 28 in Mito, September 29 in Kyoto, September 30 in Osaka, and the first date of the new month, October 3 in Kamkura city. There are more dates in October and into November

Ezra Brown, who has worked with Grammy Award winning artists: Cassandra Wilson, John Forte, Dorothy Moore, Charlie Daniels, Miki Howard, is currently involved in several projects. He serves as music director for Blue Nefertiti (one half of the group Les Nubians); as a member ofT he Mighty Embassy Ensemble for up and coming hip-hop artist Blitz the Ambassador.; and as a band member for Cheryl Pepsii Riley at The Village Underground in New York City, the top R & B open mic night in the country. You can hear Ezra on MTVu’s Live Sessions, where he is featured with Blitz the Ambassador and John Forte “Breathe” video on MTVu.

The Toronto International Film Festival traditionally opens the Thursday night after Labour Day (the first Monday in September in Canada). Films are categorized into Programs to better organize the selection. In one of the festival's program categories, "Wavelengths", filmmaker Jean-Marie Straub continues his exploration of classic texts with this "collaboration" involving the great 16th-century writer of the 'Essais'. In Hollywood studios premiere their films at TIFF due to the Festival's non-competitive nature, relatively inexpensive costs, enthusiastic and cinema knowledgeable audiences and other factors. This year the Festival hosts a September 7 Gala event, "Celebrating 100 Years of Indian Cinema", reflecting 100 years of inspired work by Indian filmmakers. Dinner and a reception are included for this event.

The Toronto International Film Festival's major prize, the People's Choice Award, is given to a feature-length film with the highest ratings as voted by the Festival-going populace. TIFF Bell Lightbox has come to be regarded for film related exhibitions and moving image artworks that reach a junction between cinema and the visual arts. Specal exhibition: "David Cronenberg: Transformation" will feature six new TIFF-commissioned artworks by leading Canadian and international contemporary artists who share David Cronenberg's inspirations from literature and philosophy—writers such as McLuhan, Burroughs and Ballard—and his fascination with biological horror, the human psyche and the merging of humans and media. The festival closes on September 15.

Game Music Connect will happen in London for one day only on September 9 and is suited to fans of music in games, aspiring and professional composers of all backgrounds and those interested in learning about the art and science of creating today’s cutting edge video game soundtracks. The format will have interviews and roundtable discussions with composers and audio directors in the video games industry. Included in a line-up of British and international composer talent will be ASCAP member Martin O’Donnell (Destiny, Halo series) and PRS affiliates James Hannigan (Dead Space 3, Command & Conquer series, Harry Potter series) and Joris de Man (Killzone series) – and will be hosted by composer, audio director and commentator John Broomhall (X-COM series, Transport Tycoon, A Christmas Carol). Audio directors from both independent and major developers and publishers will also participate.

In one of the Game Music panels, "Soundcard to Symphony", game composers - Martin O’Donnell, Jesper Kyd, Jason Graves, James Hannigan, Joris de Man, Richard Jacques, John Broomhall (Chair) - outline their personal journeys into scoring videogames, together with their inspiration and influences, reflecting on the past, present & future of game music design and application The day’s programming will comprise in-depth discussions with celebrated composers and audio directors, including insights into their diverse career paths and scoring experiences as well as practical demonstrations of interactive music and previews of next-gen original scores. The day will feature a composer panel exploring the evolution of video game music and a philosophical discussion of the art form and its future.

International Broadcasting Convention, or just IBC, is an annual event staged in Amsterdam for professionals engaged in the creation, management and delivery of entertainment and news content worldwide. This year's convention which runs September 12-17 has conference themes that reflect: technological innovations to engage viewers and create a more engaging entertainment experience; advances in industry collaboration and standards that affect business and content production; global impact of the internet on all aspects of traditional television and its affect on the future of traditional broadcasting; emergence of event television and the production, broadcast, distribution and monetisation of content in these digital spaces and other areas.

Keynote speaking presentations at the IBC conference open with Bob Harris, Chief Technology Officer, Channel 4 Television, but will also include: Robert M. Bakish, President & CEO, Viacom International Media Networks, Morten Hesseldahl, Executive Director of Cultural Affairs, DR, Danish Broadcasting Company, Keith Hindle, CEO, Digital and Branded Entertainment, Fremantle Media, Tony Wang, General Manager, Twitter, UK and others. IBC is owned by six industry partners that represent both exhibitors and visitors. They include: The International Association of Broadcasting Manufacturers, The Institution of Engineering and Technology, IEEE Broadcast Technology Society, The Royal Television Society, The Society of Cable Telecommunication Engineers, The Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers.

San Diego Music Thing Conference and Festival opens September 13 for a two day run. Attendees can sharpen their skills and knowledge of the music business through interactive and roundtable sessions with notable panelists and featured speakers operating in the music business. Conference opening panel: "Music Industry 101: The Basics 2013", features speakers in discussion on what anyone needs to know about getting started in the business of music. Later that same day, another workshop session, "Dos and Don'ts of Music Distribution", covers setting up your music for sale in all formats and why YouTube is important to all performing music.

Planned day time activities include a trade show, happy hour parties, listening stations and pop up live performances, as well as a chance to meet and mingle with industry professionals and artists. Kim Gordon, a founding member of noise-rock band Sonic Youth -- and who has been involved in numerous collaborations with other artists and musicians makes a featured speaker presentation at the end of day one. Bands and music artists scheduled for performances include: Ra Ra Riot, New Politics, Titus Andonicus, Milo Greene, Fidlar, The Album Leaf, Unwritten Law, Mike Herrera, Wild Nothing, The Silent Comedy, LIttle Hurricane, Body/Head featuring Kim Gordon and over 150 more.

Chartered in 1991, conference organizer, the San Diego Music Foundation, was created to make music performance accessible to children of need in San Diego County by providing them with a hands-on vehicle, - the guitar - to express themselves creatively. Over its 20 year history, the organization has served K-8 students county-wide from Chula Vista to Fallbrook. In subsequent years the organization has broadened its focus and service areas, providing forums to increase local musicians' understanding of the music business, get performance exposure within the local and national music communities, and to publicly recognize the breadth and diversity of the San Diego music scene.

Oaxaca FilmFest, founded in the City of Oaxaca de Juarez in 2010, is intent on presenting works representative of achievement in cinema, creating opportunities for filmmakers, and providing audiences with outstanding entertainment. Planned for this year's festival running September 21-28, Oaxaca FilmFest 2013 has scheduled eight days of international film on par with those being exhibited anywhere in the world today, an international script writer symposium, special events, tours of the region, academic opportunities and those anticipated Oaxaca FilmFest after-parties. Other aspects of the festival include the program Academia -- a five day training program designed to enhance festival attendees' self-distribution skills for those that have producer ambitions. The festival also features "Pitch It", a platform that allows screenwriters to sell their scripts to industry executives around the globe in a designated meeting place.

Dubai Music Week is an annual B2B/B2C event dedicated to establishing the music industry in the region with: seminars, conferences and workshops, trade show and exhibition, live concerts, networking events and competitions connecting Middle East and Asia with Europe and North America. The six day event which opens September 24 is the brainchild of music impressario Quincy Jones and is also structured as a platform for rising artists and launching new talent. The convention will host the ‘Emirates World Exclusive Quincy Jones Seminars, and on September 25 Quincy Jones will invite music industry icons Timbaland and will.i.am on stage to discuss music production with fans, and to launch the first cross-over talent from across the region.

On September 24 at DMW, fans of Michael Jackson’s music will be able to hear directly from the multi-Grammy winning production team fueling the success of the King of Pop’s record-breaking albums -- 'Thriller', 'Off The Wall' and 'Bad'. Members of the team at this convention -- Quincy Jones, Rod Temperton, Bruce Swedien and Siedah Garrett -- offer reflections on the experience of producing the greatest selling albums of all time. On September 27 a Keynote Conference is scheduled and will be presented by Frank Cooper, Chief Marketing Officer at PepsiCo Global Consumer Engagement, PepsiCo, also Shridhar Subramaniam, President of Middle East and India at Sony Music Entertainment.

MIDEM, the renowned global music convention held in Cannes every year since 1967, is an official DMW Conference Partner. Dubai Music Week in association with MIDEM will present a series of Music Conferences and Workshops with senior executives and Founders of companies such as Anghami, Saavn, Times Music, Orange, Sacem and BMI. Conference organizer, G3 is a cross-cultural music and entertainment company with offices in Dubai and Los Angeles. Founded by legendary music producer Quincy Jones and Emirati social entrepreneur Badr Jafar, the company is launching a series of initiatives and productions that is attempting to change the future of the music industry and live entertainment in the Middle East and North African region.

Known as a one stop training, exposition and networking event, Digital Video Expo brings together a gathering of technology innovators and content creation professionals to downtown Los Angeles from September 25-26. The conference agenda has over 50 conference sessions in two conference programs covering content creation and storage. The Los Angeles Post Production Group will hold their monthly September meeting at DV Expo immediately following the close of the exhibit hall floor on September 25. Cocktails will be served. The meeting is free and open to all attendees of Digital Video Expo. A new free special event, Video Edge Live! is a conference program designed for professionals who produce and deliver online video for media and entertainment, enterprise, educational, and government applications. Pro Media Conference is back this year at Digital Video Expo. PMC motivates and engages participants through a series of papers, case studies, and networking opportunities. Introduced last year at Digital Video Expo, the Pro Media Conference is designed to educate, motivate and engage professionals working in media and entertainment, video and audio production, internet and mobile video, AV, government, corporate video environments, and IT.

The Film Society of Lincoln Center in New York City was founded in 1969 to celebrate American and international cinema, to recognize and support new filmmakers, and to enhance awareness, accessibility and understanding of the art among a broad and diverse film going audience. Annually, The Film Society at Lincoln Center presents two world-class international festivals – the New York Film Festival and New Directors/New Films (celebrating new cinematic artists). The Society will operate the New York Film Festival from September 27 through October 13 this year. And the Festival's Opening Night World Premiere is the Paul Greengrass directed, Sony Pictures release, 'Captain Phillips'. The festival is competitive with approximately 28 feature films in the Main Slate and 16 short films selected each year by a five person screening committee. Entry into NYFF and ND/NF is open to all filmmakers and all lengths and genres are considered. There are no categories and no prizes are awarded. The Society also publishes the cinematic journal, 'Film Comment', presents an annual Gala Tribute honoring legendary stars and industry leaders of this generation, and partners with Hollywood studios to present premieres and special live appearances at various times of the year.

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. This month's picture placement highlights "Soul Muzik" saxophonist, eZra brown (J. Quazi King, Nicole Norwood photo credit) on tour in Japan and the far east for the introduction of his debut solo album. If the photo does not appear in this post please click this link to view it. In a preview of next month's events, be aware that: Japanese Cultural and Anime Convention, Ochiba Con, will be in Oshawa. The New Orleans Film Society hosts their annual festival. The Adelaide Film Festival, in Glenside, opens. Colchester Film Festival 2013 featuring short film selections, opens in Colchester. MIA Animation Conference and Festival will be in Miami. The BMI London Awards will be in Hyde Park.

Ticket Summit, Cable Convention 2012, Fantasia Film Festival, Casual Connect Seattle, are highlights in July's Global Media and Entertainment Industry

 The Joy Wai Gallery (www.joywaigallery.com) in New York City has opened the exhibition -- Pepe Vives - new paintings. Pepe Vives has worked primarily as a painter and presently  has devoted himself to pictorial transformation of printed imagery: photographs, newspapers, and magazines. In his early years Vives registered at the Escuela Superior de Bellas Artes de San Carlos, Valencia, in 1973. In this school that had changed little since it initially functioned as an artist’s workshop during the Renaissance, he received training in traditional techniques of painting and sculpture which had been maintained there for centuries. In his first year at the Escuela Superior, Vives was accepted as a novice in the Order of the Jesuits. In the 1984, Vives left the Jesuits and moved to New York City, where his work was strongly influenced by the aesthetic and social milieu of the East Village art scene. Currently Pepe Vives still lives and works in the Lower East Side of New York City. In its ongoing role to serve the arts community and be a platform for cultural exchange Joy Wai Gallery will launch an educational program with leading guest lecturers, artists, critics, curators, professors on the subject of contemporary art and photography. The exhibition runs through August 10.

The London Film and Comic Con is focused on fans and collectors. Through the show's online forum the public has an opportunity to ask questions of the festival's guest stars and exchange views about the guests with like-minded fans. On the actual exhibit floor in London will be an array of costumes which visitors can examine. These are genuine props from film and television classics. There are several planned photo sessions with some of the guest artists attending London Film and Comic Con. Most guest talks running throughout the weekend are free to attend, but since they are free, seating is limited so seating tickets must be obtained in advance. Special viewing and interactive exhibits will include: Anime Zone, Artists Alley, Cosplay Zone, Video Game Zone, Collectormania, Massive Events, Montage Moments, Autographica. London Film and Comic Con closes on July 8.

A rather unusual conference venue will take place at sea aboard a Carnival Cruise Line. The Sun Camera Action Conference and Workshop will be a conference, workshop and video training session onboard a Miami to Bahamas cruise ship, the Carnival Imagination. Conference guests can learn all about creating authentic travel, film and general interest videos. During the four-day Miami to Bahamas return trip, Phil Goora, a digital film teacher and creator/writer of THE MOMENT TV Show, will be the lead instructor teaching attendees how to create travel videos and/or amateur films. Attendees will have the opportunity to discuss and apply a number of film basics such as shot selection, shot techniques, editing and exporting the video. During the cruise which sails July 7-11 there will be scheduled times for one-on-one time with the instructor and/or his assistant and there will be a number of classes where the theory will be taught. Guests can venture out on their own while in the Bahamas or join the instructor and his assistants on their exploration of the island.

Ticket Summit® is a conference and trade show for the ticketing and live entertainment industry opening July 11 through 13, in a city known for entertainment -- Las Vegas. This three-day event features industry seminars, a concurrent trade show, and networking opportunities for industry professionals. The conference and trade show will have sessions on Web 2.0, mobile, online technologies, and strategic partnerships and ticket bundling among other relevant industry topics. Mike Lorenc, head of ticketing and live events for Google, will present a workshop titled 'Hang out with Google!' in which he will demonstrate Google’s advertising and social media technology.  "After Dark" networking and cocktail party events include a Networking Cocktail Party on July 11, private events arranged by invite only on July 12, the Closing Gala at The Bank casino on July 13.

As the Kauai Music Festival gets underway July 11-14 in Lihue, the focus will be on the art and craft of songwriting and to learn songwriting and/or refine skills through interaction with the professional songwriters that will be in attendance. Attendees can gain feedback from one-on-one meetings, small group sessions, workshops, panel discussions, open mic activities, as well as submit their music to be heard and critiqued. All attendees are welcome to join any or all of the workshops that will include: Composing for TV and Film - Demystifying the Process, led by Adam Zelkind, Melody, Melody, Melody - A Hands-On MasterClass, led by Jason Blume, What Works and What Doesn't When Negotiating Your Licensing Deal, led by Dondi Bastone and Bill Meyer, Lessons from the Ukulele Underground, led by Aldrine Guerrero as well as other topics. An Open Mic and Wrap Party close out the festival taking place in Shutter's Lounge.

The San Francisco Frozen Film Festival brings independent filmmakers and musicians to the San Francisco Bay Area from around the globe from July 12-15 to form a collection of independent films and bands. Included in the festival are nights of live music concerts, short films, animation, global features, long and short documentaries, skate films, music documentaries, and music videos. The Frozen Music Festival will run the same weekend as the film festival, showcasing music acts that complement the Film Festival's movies drawn from contributors to the "Music Video" section of the Film Festival. The music festival will showcase acts from a wide selection of music genres - from pop to punk, hip hop to funk, cowboys to singer-songwriters.

The Long Island Film/TV Foundation and the Nassau County Film Commission opens the annual Long Island International Film Expo July 12 starting with an opening night party that is by invitation only. Several panels are held during the first weekend of the Film Expo -- usually consisting of a distribution panel, a scriptwriting panel, legal music panel and a filmmaker panel and breakfast. There will be a Wine and Cheese Reception for Technical Awards at the Filmmakers Lounge, directly West of the Bellmore Movies on July 13. A Breakfast with the Filmmakers - Panel on "The Good, the Bad, and the Horror Stories" follows the next morning. Winners of the Long Island International Film Expo are chosen by a combination of audience ballot and judging committee which are then honored at the Long Island International Film Expo Closing Night Party and Awards Ceremony. Special awards (acting and supporting roles) will be given out during the closing party on July 19 at the Filmmakers Lounge directly west of the Bellmore Movies.

The Japan Cable TV Committee launches this first event related to "Cable Convention 2012" from July 18-19. "Cable Tech Show 2012" will be originated as an  exhibition-seminar of cable technologies. Special attention is on competition in this era of consolidation between broadcast/communication, and wired/wireless communication. In Japan's first year of complete digital broadcasting using the ISDB standard, the latest solutions and hardware will be introduced at "Cable Tech Show 2012" with the expectation that the CATV infrastructure will be popularized and developed. In unison with "Cable Convention 2012" the exhibition aims to contribute to the development of cable technologies which support the growth of the cable industry. The location of the event, Tokyo Dome City is an total entertainment complex located in the heart of Tokyo. It consists of Tokyo Dome, a sports complex, a newly built Meets Port - LaQua, a spa complex, and an amusement park with a variety of attractions and facilities including the Tokyo Panic Cruise - a ride-type four-dimensional attraction - and Tokyo Dome City's signature event, the Hero Action Show.

Although it is mostly a fantasy/action/horror festival, Fantasia has  embraced films that can have a unique identity, including: dramas, eccentric comedies, provocative documentaries, experimental works, musicals, even atypical children’s films. Within the feature film lineup, Montréal's Fantasia Film Festival will present the international premiere of Kern Saxton’s anticipated crime thriller Sushi Girl, featuring Mark Hamill (Star Wars) in the sinister lead. Hosting the Fantasia launch will be Mark Hamill, Tony Todd, Michael Biehn and Kern Saxton – with additional guests to be announced. The gala Sushi Girl screening will take place two days after the Festival opening on the night of July 21. Fantasia will present the world premiere launch of travelling art show: "If They Came From Within: An Alternative History of Canadian Horror Movies, curated by Rue Morgue magazine Editor-In-Chief Dave Alexander who has assembled some of Canada and Quebec’s most celebrated genre filmmakers with some of the country’s best designers and illustrators to create a gallery of poster art. The Festival closes August 7.

Opening July 21 for two days in London's Wimbledon district, Wimbledon Shorts Film Festival is dedicated to showcasing new work in film and video from around the world -- whether the film is narrative driven, animated or experimental. Films must be less than 15 minutes in duration including title sequences and credits. Wimbledon Shorts is a presentation of the Wimbledon Film Club. The WFC is an independent, non-political, not-for-profit organisation, which is a registered charity run by volunteers. The WFC is also an award-winning member of the British Federation of Film Societies. Both the Wimbledon Shorts Film Festival and Competition organisers and judges are involved on a voluntary basis. The festival venue - Polka Theatre - is dedicated to producing and presenting theatre works for young audiences.

Cinema India Expo is a Mumbai based trade show and conference for digital cinema. From July 23-24, exhibitors will demonstrate 3-D cinema and production, digital cinema equipment and technology, booth and projection equipment, lighting and signage, displays, distribution, technology, sound, speakers and amplifiers, Walls, panels and screens, digital cameras and workflow. Visitors typically include Film Buyers, Distributors, major manufacturers, technical experts, Directors, Directors of Photography, Cinematographers, cinema content creators, studio and production executives, theatre operations executives. A principal element of the show over the years has featured a Master Class by a Film Guru sponsored by Kodak and the American Society of Cinematographers. The event will be supported by the  Indian cinema fraternity including the Multiplex Association of India, Cinema Owners and the Exhibitors Association. Cinema India along with the Scrabble Entertainment Ltd. with their Digital Initiative-transforming the cinemascape of India into DCI compliant technology.

The annual Casual Connect Seattle is the place to learn more about the Casual Games industry that entertains 300 million people each month and are typically played on a personal computer online in web browsers, though they now are starting to become popular on game consoles and mobile phones as well. In 2009 the world wide connected casual games industry had revenues in excess of $3.0 billion on mobile. The 2012 International Game Developers Association (IGDA) Summit will be conducted close by at the Fairmont Olympic Hotel from July 23-24, covering topics including: writing, leadership, entrepreneurship, advocacy, quality assurance and monetization. The Innovation Showcase is an “art-gallery” style exhibition displaying ten games selected for their unique appeal. In the hope to inspire its visitors to come up with great games ideas, Casual Games invites visitors to come and play these select games for Web and iOS platform at the Innovation Showcase. At Casual Connect events there usually are no shortage of networking functions to mix and mingle at. This year GameChangeHers Reception on July 23 celebrates the contribution of women to the industry. The Pre-Funk and Badge Pickup, provides a loungy party with beer, wine and light snacks as attendees pick up their conference badge on July 23. Mingle with Tapjoy! on July 24 is another drinkers party featuring the bar menu, beer/wine. GREE brings you The Garage! on July 24 features music, billards, bowling, beer/wine/cocktails/light food. Mingle with Ruby Seven Studios on July 25 is another cocktail sip with bar menu, beer/wine. The Infamous WildTangent Party! on July 25, featuring gambling, drinks and the "unexpected".

The VII International Conference on Communication, Film and Media Sciences in Paris, July 27-29, aims to bring together academic scientists, leading engineers, industry researchers and scholar students to exchange and share their experiences and research results about all aspects of Communication, Film and Media Sciences, and discuss the practical challenges encountered and the solutions adopted. The International Conference on Communication, Film and Media Sciences aims to bring together academic scientists, leading engineers, industry researchers and scholar students to exchange and share their experiences and research results about all aspects of Communication, Film and Media Sciences, and discuss the practical challenges encountered and the solutions adopted. The Conference offers the opportunity to build relationships with universities, schools, companies and experts from all around the world.

The Midsummer Musical Retreat Society is a 501(c)3 designated non-profit organization whose purpose is to promote the performance of ensemble music by amateur and professional musicians and organizes its annual adult music camp which will happen this year in Walla Walla from July 30 to August 5. MMR provides a non-competitive curriculum for adult singers and instrumentalists. The week-long festival workshop includes orchestra, band, string orchestra, chorus, jazz big band, Recorders and Early Music, chamber ensembles and electives in a “Retreat” atmosphere the curriculum is conducted in. Workshops in Rhythm, Sight Singing, History of Rock ‘n’ Roll, and The Composers’ Showcase features works composed by campers and performed by the faculty. And MMR campers enjoy the Opening Faculty Presentation, Line Dancing, informal performance opportunities, ad hoc chamber music, Skit Night and Jazz Big Band Extravaganza, the Fermata Bar (a pre-dinner social hour), group singalongs, Wine Tasting, nightly hospitality suite, the Faculty Recital, and the Festival Banquet. Many events are organized by campers.

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 used international languages. This month's photo composite is the remake of The Amazing Spider-Man which opened in North American theaters over the July 4 holiday starring Andrew Garfield as Peter Parker/Spider-Man. Gazing ahead into the next month, be aware that... the Melbourne International Film Festival (MIFF) will be in Melbourne, Malibu International Film Festival will be in Santa Monica, The White Sands International Film Festival will be in Las Cruces, Meisner Program Part 1 will be in Orlando, Photo Image Brazil opens in Sao Paulo.

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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MusiCARES Tribute, Brit Awards, Grammys, Country Radio Seminar, 84th Academy Awards, highlight a calendar of headlining events in February

The Victoria Film Festival wants to expose youth and adults to a broad range of cultural, artistic and philosophical ideas and lifestyles through the presentation of film, video, new media and inter-activities while keeping it very relevant to the local community in Victoria. This year the Festival, which runs through February 12, shines a spotlight on Linda Blair for two days beginning with a screening of Director William Friedkin's 'The Exorcist', followed by a meet and greet with actress Linda Blair hosted by Bon Rouge the following day. At a Sips 'N' Cinema festival event, a trip to the film house for a screening of, 'House of Pleasure', is followed with a seating at the Veneto Tapa Lounge for a sampling of appetizers, and where well regarded bar master Simon ogden will lead a cocktail tasting. After the tasting, Festival Programmer Donovan Aikman will open up discussion of the film just presented.

During Grammy Week, the 22nd Annual MusiCARES “Person of the Year” award ceremony is set to honor 14-time GRAMMY winner and Recording Academy Lifetime Achievement and Trustees Award recipient, Sir Paul McCartney, who will also perform along with other artists in attendance. The event is set for February 10 in Los Angeles. MusiCares Foundation -- founded in 1989 by the Academy -- provides a safety net of critical assistance for music professionals in times of need. MusiCares' services and resources cover a wide range of financial, medical and personal emergencies, allowing affected musical artists to continue with dignity. The evening begins with: Cocktail Reception and Silent Auction, followed by the Gala Dinner, then the Concert and Award Presentation.

The 54th Annual Grammy Awards is on February 12 in Los Angeles. It will air live on the CBS TV network at 8 pm EST / 5 pm PST. The show will also be supported on radio worldwide via Dial Global, and covered online at GRAMMY.com, CBS.com, and on YouTube at www.youtube.com/thegrammys. Following last year's 2011 ceremony, NARAS -- the parent organization of the awards ceremony -- overhauled many Grammy Award categories for 2012. And for the first time in seven years, the Grammy Awards is doing away with its no-host format and has enlisted  rapper-turned-actor, LL Cool J, who has served as host of the Grammy nominations concert for the last four years. Announced performers for the 54th Annual GRAMMY Awards include current GRAMMY nominees Jason Aldean, Kelly Clarkson, Coldplay, Rihanna, Foo Fighters, Bruno Mars, Paul McCartney, Nicki Minaj, and Taylor Swift.

At this year's Sedona International Film Festival, February 18-26, Turner Classic Movies host Robert Osborne returns with his favorite classic films; Academy Award-winning producer, artist and costume designer Kathleen Glynn (Bowling for Columbine, Farenheit 911) will moderate and host this year’s workshops, one of which, “Composing Music for Film,” will be led by Oscar-winning lyricist and five-time nominee Don Black (Born Free); Oscar-winning screenwriter Robert Moresco (Crash) will be in attendance as will actress Lea Thompson. Workshops happen every morning from Tuesday through Saturday during Festival week when the 145 full-length features, shorts, documentaries, animated films, foreign films and student films have screenings. This year a special midweek jazz concert in partnership with the Arizona Music Festival features the Brubeck Brothers and screening of new biographical film, 'In Good Time, The Piano Jazz of Marian McPartland' takes place on February 22 at the Sedona High School Performing Arts Center.

The Brit Awards are the British Phonographic Industry's annual pop music awards. On February 21, the BRIT Awards will be broadcast live in London on ITV1 network starting from 8 pm. Founded in 1973, BPI is the representative trade organisation of the UK recorded music industry, which includes the UK's four major record labels and hundreds of independent music companies. BPI also organizes the annual BRIT Awards show as well as a Classical BRIT Awards show. Featured artists in this year's award show include: James Blake, Lady Antebellum, Chase and Status, Ebow, Kasabian, Muse, Empire of the Sun, others. Previous BRITs winner who was a 2011 nominee, Mark Ronson, will be hosting the War Child post BRITs party at Indigo2 immediately after the main show. War Child is an official charity partner of the BRIT Awards this year. Actor/writer James Corden will host the actual Brit Awards ceremony.

Country Radio Seminar is an annual convention designed to educate and promote the exchange of ideas and business practices in the Country music industry with specific emphasis on issues relevant to Country radio. MTV co-founder/Clear Channel executive Bob Pittman, noted futurist David Houle, CMT’s Stephen Linn, and “Twitter For Dummies” book co-author Laura Fitton are keynote speakers in addition to others that are schedued over the course of the convention. All events take place for three days starting February 22 in Nashville. Singer-songwriter Alan Jackson is confirmed for a Capitol/EMI Records Nashville luncheon performance on February 23 in the Convention Center. On the Wednesday and Thursday night of the seminar, radio personality Bob Kingsley’s Acoustic Alley will be open for after-hours acoustic entertainment. The Acoustic Alley venue will showcase performances from some of Nashville’s top songwriters. The conference's 2012 Career Achievement Award will be given to legendary artist, now on a farewell tour, Glen Campbell. Across the Atlantic (ocean), in an unrelated Country music event, the CMA (Country Music Association) and music rights organization, BMI, will present a Country Music series with four successful songwriters from Nashville, who will take the stage, and with guitar in-hand take turns telling the stories behind their hit songs while performing them. The series is February 22-25, and tours London, Dublin and Belfast.

The Carnival of eCreativity (CeC) is an annual event for free spirited creatives, and the brainchild of Academy of Electronic Arts of New Delhi. It brings together experimental and generally creative practitioners from around the world and India. The sixth annual Carnival of e-Creativity happens February 24-26, from within the compound of the landmark Sattal Mission Estate and Methodist Ashram. The location is situated just above Bhimtal, near Nainital, in the Lower Kumaon of the Himalayan Indian state of Uttarakhand. The agenda is a varied array of experimental creative pursuits executed through performances, presentations and screenings. Performers from around the world will bring a distinctive set of styles, experience and expertise in arts, sciences, performance, technology, and Global Video Art and Short Creative Videoworks screened non-repetitively in a separate section. Master and innovator of Indian Slap Bass, Jayen Varma of Kochi-Kerala, performs with his band Khayal Groove with Indian classical vocalist Aparna Panshikar. He will also engage in a performance with an experimental vocalist from Germany.

The 84th Academy Awards will be held in Hollywood, and televised live by the ABC Television Network (7 ET/4 PT). Brian Grazer and Don Mischer are producers for this years show. The Oscar presentation also will be televised live in more than 225 countries worldwide. The show is presented by the American Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) to recognize excellence of professionals in the film industry. AMPAS was originally conceived by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer studio boss Louis B. Mayer as a professional honorary organization to help improve the film industry’s image and help mediate labor disputes. In this award year the Academy of Motion Picture Sciences has launched "Celebrate the Movies," a digital exhibition spotlighting iconic moments from 84 films. The exhibition appeared on digital billboards in Los Angeles, and on ABC's digital "SuperSign," an electronic landmark in New York's Times Square. It is also showcased on an online gallery reachable at  Oscar.com, and extended to youtube.com/Oscars, where fans can share their most memorable movie-going experiences through video or text. Billy Crystal will host the 2012 Oscars.

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 used 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 Intl Sci-Fi & Fantasy Film Festival of Athens, the ONECLOUDFEST, based in Sweden, where Audience Award winners in each category is determined by the number of Facebook "likes" received, the 4th Annual Film Finance Forum West, is in Los Angeles, The 3rd Guangzhou International Theater & Cinema Fest, is in Guangzhou, SXSW 2012, will be in Austin, and the 2012 LA Film + Music Weekend, is in Los Angeles, just to run through some events getting close and 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.

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NAB 2011, Coachella, Tribeca Film Festival, San Francisco International Film Festival, London Sci-Fi & Fatastic Film, are some Highlights in April's Global Media and Entertainment Industry

A one of a kind arts festival is underway at the New School for Social Research in New York City through April 8. The theme of the festival is "Noir", a cinematic style of shadowy expressiveness that had its heyday in the 1930s and 1940s, and how its influence has penetrated areas ranging from fashion design to fine art, graphic art to fiction. An exploration of the genre and its present day adaptations is done through a presentation of iconic films, hard-boiled storytelling, graphic art, and illustration.

Celebrating its 10th Anniversary April 6-9, the 2011 Florida Music Festival & Conference showcases live music, film and visual arts within the cultural community of downtown Orlando, The keynote interview for this year's conference features Melvin Benn of Festival Republic on creating a successful live music event or festival. In an April 9 panel, Aaron Ford, Grooveshark, Alex Ewen, Media/Label, David McKenna, Bonded Records/Film, Jeffrey Hanson, Silent Majority Group, and David Beame, Beame & Mencher, LLP, discuss "The Business of Music." All conference speakers will be available to all performing artists and registered music companies or aspiring music industry students to network with, post conference and throughout the weekend.

Now in its 28th year, the 2011 French Quarter Festival highlights New Orleans’ signature music, food, and culture within the historic neighborhood. French Quarter Festival was first produced in 1984 as a way to bring residents back to the Quarter. Today, 18 stages throughout the festival celebrate local music and represent every genre from traditional and contemporary jazz to R & B, New Orleans funk, brass bands, folk, gospel, latin, zydeco, classical and international. In other festival attractions, New Orleans' restaurants, create the “World’s Largest Jazz Brunch” in Jackson Square, the Old U.S. Mint and Woldenberg Riverfront Park during festival weekend; Satchmo SummerFest hosts ‘Red Bean Alley’ with Satchmo inspired dishes and local cuisine. Only local restaurants are invited to participate in these festivals. French Quarter Festival runs April 7-10.

Palm Beach Women's International Film Festival, April 7-10, premieres as a new women’s film event in Florida, attracting women filmmakers and visitors from around the world. A festival highlight includes the US Premiere of "Finding Kind", a documentary about the “mean girl” phenomenon, which has been covered extensively in national media lately. The film will screen on Sunday, April 10 at Muvico in Cityplace, followed by a panel on school bullying from leading area experts including the School District of Palm Beach County and the Girl Scouts of Southeast Florida.

Hollywood based FirstGlance Film Fest accepts all genres and screens feature length, feature documentaries, short narratives, shorts too (under 10 minutes), mini-docs, student shorts, graduate student shorts, music videos, animation and webisode pilots. Filmmakers of both short and feature films taking part in the festival are offered theatrical distribution through the festival's new relationship with a Las Vegas theatre chain and distributor offering PPV and VOD after the theatrical run. During the festival's run of April 8-10, After Parties will allow filmmakers to mix and mingle and hold informal Q & A with fellow filmmakers and audience members.

Over 85 years ago, Thomas Meighan was a famous hollywood silent movie star of the twenties. In 1919, he hit stardom in one of his best known films at the time, "The Miracle Man", but unfortunately due to film deterioration it has disintegrated into small fragments over time. Thomas Meighan dreamed of making New Port Richey the Hollywood of the South. The Thomas Meighan Project will premiere the first film festival in the New Port Richey area, April 9-17, by showcasing film, video and animation shorts as a tribute to Meighan’s vision. Today, Meighan’s most recognizable role is in the film, "Male and Female", directed by one of Hollywood’s legendary directors, Cecile B. Demille. The Thomas Meighan Project in association with the Richey Suncoast Theater will present the return of the "2011 Black Maria Film Festival."

The Delray Beach Film Festival has become the Downtown Boca Film Festival (DBFF) based in Boca Raton, yet remains a non-profit 501 (c-3) organization dedicated to providing the local community and international visitors with a diverse presentation of films from around the world. This year festival screenings are from April 9-17 and include a program of student shorts and Xtreme sports video. In addition to offering films that might not otherwise be released theatrically in the USA, DBFF provides a unique cultural experience with events like Casino Night in Old Hollywood, benefitting Planet Hope, set for opening night, the Reel to Runway fashion show on April 11, as well as educational programs and forums for exploring the future of cinema.

NAB 2011, the annual digital media industry event held in Las Vegas, this year from April 9-14, is typically attended by media, entertainment and communications professionals focused on the next generation of video and audio content across multiple platforms — television, radios and computers to phones, the big screen. In sessions planned for April 12, Gordon H. Smith, President and CEO, National Association of Broadcasters, presents the "State of the Broadcast Industry Address", and Leslie Moonves, President and CEO of CBS, sits down with Gordon Smith to discuss the challenges and opportunities facing broadcasters and the broadcast medium today. The NAB Education Foundation in partnership with the Broadcast Education Association and Pinkslipmixers.com hosts its annual spring Career Day during the NAB Show. Academy Award-Winning film director James Cameron will keynote the NAB Show.

The London Independent Film Festival will be held this year from April 14-25. It is committed to the independent filmmaker by giving special attention to films by first and second time directors, film produced with budgets under £100,000, and quality films that, for whatever reason, are unlikely to receive distribution through other channels.

Coachella, the anticipated annual music festival, April 15-17, set in the California Desert features many genres of music including alternative rock, indie, and electronic music. The event has several stages/tents set-up throughout the (camping) grounds, each playing live music continuously. From April 16–18 of the 2010 festival, Coachella drew a reported over 75,000 spectators each day. The festival also features interesting installation art and sculptures. Most of the pieces are interactive, and provide entertainment and eye candy for attendees walking throughout the Polo grounds. 2011 will introduce a new high security wristband that must always be worn and will be scanned at various checkpoints and upon entry to camping and festival grounds.

The Tribeca Film Festival in New York happens April 20 through May 1. As in past years, the Festival incorporates into its format the ESPN Sports Film Festival. Also in years past, the 2011 Family Festival Street Fair repeats again, this year on April 30 from 10 am to 6 pm. "The Union," Cameron Crowe's new documentary, chronicling the musical collaboration between Elton John and Leon Russell, opens the 2011 Tribeca Film Festival. And in the Tribeca Talks series, "After the Movie" post-screening dialogue with filmmakers, will be mixed with free events like "Industry", that reviews issues that matter to today's filmmakers such as the future of film distribution, stretching a production budget, how visual style affects genre, the challenges of documentary, and more. Established in 2003 by Robert De Niro, Jane Rosenthal and Craig Hatkoff, Tribeca Enterprises currently operates a network of branded entertainment businesses including the Tribeca Film Festival, Tribeca Film Festival International, Tribeca Cinemas and Tribeca Film, a distribution initiative.

The 54th San Francisco International Film Festival opens at the Castro Theatre April 21 for a screening of "Beginners", and then shifts to the after party to enjoy culinary delights from local restaurants, sophisticated cocktails as well as dancing. The Festival’s Midnight Awards on April 23 have been created to honor a dynamic young American actor and actress entering the prime of their careers — the ceremony is crafted as a late night awards ceremony and cocktail reception featuring food and drinks, DJ entertainment, film clips and remarks by special guests. The April 28 Film Society Awards Night is an anticipated black-tie gala event benefitting SFFS Youth Education fund. The evening honors this year’s directing, acting and screenwriting award recipients with peer tributes and career highlights, and features a special tribute to George Gund III. The "Centerpiece" of this year’s Festival is an event that features an edgy new film by an emerging director, followed by a chic lounge party at the CLIFT’s Velvet Room, featuring cocktails, hors d’oeuvres and the latest beats. On closing night, May 5, mix and mingle with a movie-loving crowd at The Factory. Dance to music inspired by the Closing Night film and feast on hors d’oeuvres and cocktails.

At London's ninth International Festival of Science Fiction and Fantastic Film, there is the regular film programming of shorts, features, documentaries and world premieres, then there will be a featured series of talks, such as special-effects masterclasses, and debates on genre literature, film and TV. The festival, running April 23 - May 2, will also expand their ‘Science Fact’ stream with demonstrations, lectures and debate - under the banner SCI-FI-LONDON: LAB. A regular fixture at the Festival, the all-nighters offer three very different programmes of movies that run from around midnight until sunrise: an anime programme taking releases right to the big screen rather than DVD; the Mystery Science Theatre 3000 program; a themed programme of either sci-fi or horror classics. All attendees are given goody bags, ice-cream, a ample supply of caffeine (Red Bull, coffee and tea) throughout the night and breakfast at daybreak.

At ASCAP's "I Create Music" Expo, there will be panels for all three days and live musical events each evening. To kick things off, there will be a pre-EXPO Networking event on Wednesday night, April 27. Lindsey Buckingham will be presented with the ASCAP Golden Note Award. Immediately following the presentation, Buckingham will be interviewed by Sara Bareilles focusing on his career as a songwriter, producer, multi-instrumentalist, member of Fleetwood Mac and a solo artist. Marco Beltrami and Wes Craven, Scream 4, will discuss their collaboration in influencing the modern horror genre experience. And new this year, panelists in the film and TV industry lead a "Film & TV Scoring Feedback" session in which pre-submitted attendees' composition and/or scores are played and analyzed constructively.

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 used languages. A look ahead into April event dates will help you prepare for: the Florida Music Festival and Conference, in Orlando, Tribeca Film Festival, in New York; National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) 2011, in Las Vegas, London Independent Film Festival, in London, the San Francisco International Film Festival, in San Francisco, to list only a few upcoming events in advance. Past videos from the monthly video news summary are archived on the Free Home Video Showcase at http://www.actorschecklist.com/video.