Streaming Media East, Music Biz, Festival de Cannes, Casual Connect Asia, are highlights in May's Global Media and Entertainment Industry

China Theater and Cinema is a three day convention in Guangzhou. The convention is being organized by Guangzhou Grandeur (Hongwei) Exhibition Services Co., Ltd. China Theater and Cinema will showcase products and services related to media and entertainment industries from exhibitors through May 11. Cinema venues have reportedly been increasing in recent years in China. With regard to the number of theater buildings, the number of new cinemas is increasing year by year. Up to the end of 2010, there have been 313 new theaters in total, while the new screens increased to 1533 at an average rate of 4.2 daily. The Chinese film box office reached 17.073 billion in 2012, becoming the world's second-largest movie market. In particular, the convention will focus on: cinema projection equipment, theater and cinema furniture and decoration materials, cinema services, theater and cinema lighting and sound, film production and shooting equipment. The Digital Cinema Society, a nonprofit educational cooperative dedicated to the industry's informed integration of new technology, and Film India Directory which produces publications of the Indian Film Industry, are active partners and supporters taking part in China Theater and Cinema. Guangzhou's China Import and Export Fair Pazhou Complex is regarded as a large modernized exhibition center in Asia with exhibition halls covering around 16.000 m2 of exhibition space.

Streaming Media is a bi-annual (and bi-coastal) conference and expo series dedicated entirely to the business, technology and content of online video. At this New York City expo (Los Angeles will be October 2015), attendees can learn from online video experts, try out new products on the expo floor, learn new skills and network with peers. Items on the agenda will include: over 100 speakers in more than 40 sessions including in-depth workshops, how-to technical sessions, case studies, panel discussions; access to companies demonstrating emerging technologies; networking with online video professionals, new media experts and colleagues. A keynote address delivered by Scott Olechowski, Co-Founder, Chief Product Officer, Plex, will look at the opportunities and challenges associated with the unbundling of content and how Plex fits in as a component for connecting the media center of the future.

The goal for Streaming Media East is to get its attendees to learn how to better use streaming media for innovative business solutions. The exhibit hall features established companies as well as streaming media startups, all offering practical advice that will help attendees to put streaming to work in their own businesses in the areas of marketing, advertising-promotion, corporate communications, education and elearning, and customer relationship management. In conference sessions running May 12-13 there are expected to be over 100 speakers in more than 35 sessions including in-depth workshops, how-to technical sessions, case studies, panel discussions, and more.

The Content Delivery Summit is a co-located conference to Streaming Media this year. The Content Delivery Summit is a one-day conference, developed and chaired by Dan Rayburn, that brings together carriers, telcos, ISPs, and premium content owners for a detailed look at the technology and platforms being used to deliver and accelerate web content. The Summit includes case studies on real-world deployments, demos of new technology platforms, and discussions on business models for both on-net and off-net delivery. It is tilted toward those who are designing, building and deploying CDN platforms used for delivering nearly all of the content consumed on the Internet today.

Of particular interest at Streaming Media East, a May 12 Keynote: "Twitter: The Home of What's Happening #NOW in Streaming Media,” identifies a tweets source — from brands, consumers, media or a celebrity — and the implications to search and discover it by everyone, everywhere on Twitter. The session will further look at trends for tweeting along with favorite TV program as an integral activity to the television consumption experience which has now been enhanced by multiple video formats that are available. Marc Heedt, Twitter's Head of Social TV Strategy, will share some of these latest trends on Twitter. From short-form video, instant replays and trending must-see TV clips, to live broadcasting with Periscope, Twitter’s role #NOW in social streaming media will be fully explored.

Music Business Association (Music Biz) marks its first annual event in Music City USA — Nashville — though it says it can tap into the decades of experience it’s acquired for shaping this Music Biz convention into a forum that bridges the music community through all facets of the business. Music Biz acknowledges the considerable challenges of the music industry and has formed a conference agenda to clarify the new opportunities songwriters and publishers can access in the digital era. Music Biz 2015 is planning for a Songwriters and Publishers Town Hall to be a forum for meaningful conversations that will illuminate helpful insights about monetization strategies for online video, give updates on copyright legislation, showcased companies that can help make sense of an online catalog or license a catalog faster and easier.

Special presentations planned for the three day program opening May 12 will be: Making the Most of Publishing Deals Through YouTube and How to Grow Revenue with Music in Online Video, conducted with participation from BMI, ole Digital, Harry Fox Agency, Rumblefish, SESAC, and YouTube. The Music Business Association’s event wants to give programming and meeting opportunities to an audience of songwriters, publishers, artists and managers together with the commerce and content communities. In the summit’s keynote address, Shawn Yeager, partner with music tech venture-builder, Back Porch Group, and co-founder of Endorsee, addresses how to turn a shiny object into a salable product, applying principles from Lean Startup and Evidence-Based Entrepreneurship. It all begins with a networking breakfast and ends with a closing reception. The Music Business Association (Music Biz) is a non-profit membership organization that advances and promotes music commerce.

In existence since 1946, The Cannes International Film Festival — Le Festival International du Film de Cannes — is an annual invitation-only film festival which previews new films of all genres, including documentaries, from around the world. Opening film of the 2015 Festival de Cannes is Emmanuelle Bercot’s LA TÊTE HAUTE (Standing Tall) on May 13. Special featured sections held during the festival include the Marché du Film, the Festival’s film market, structured to help meet the needs of film attending industry professionals. Joel Coen and Ethan Coen, directors, screenwriters and producers, will be the two Presidents of the Jury of the 68th Festival de Cannes. Isabella Rossellini will serve as President of the Un Certain Regard Jury.

Members of the Jury of the 68th Festival de Cannes include: Rossy de Palma (Actress – Spain), Sophie Marceau (Actress, Director – France), Sienna Miller (Actress – United Kingdom), Rokia Traoré (Composer, Singer-songwriter – Mali), Guillermo del Toro (Director, Writer, Producer – Mexico), Xavier Dolan (Director, Writer, Producer, Actor – Canada), Jake Gyllenhaal (Actor – United States). Their task will be to decide among the films in Competition and select the prize winners, culminating in the Palme d’or, which will be announced on stage during the Festival Closing Ceremony on May 24. Sabine Azéma will preside over the Caméra d’or Jury, in charge of awarding the best first film presented in Cannes this year.

The Festival de Cannes created "Cannes Short Film" in 2011. At Cannes, short films are showcased at the Competition. After all screenings are complete the short films Jury awards a Palme d’or at the Short Film Corner, a professional area for meeting people, exchanging ideas and promoting films. "Cannes Court Métrage” unifies the Competition and Short Film Corner by highlighting the achievements and bringing the aspiring professionals together at workshops and conferences in an area set aside for this purpose at the Palais des Festivals. A spot in Cannes is important as the festival brings the press, the biggest distributors and it is where Oscar buzz begins leading up to the Academy Awards.

Casual Connect Asia is the place to learn more about an industry which entertains 300 million people each month. Learn all about iPhone, Social, Android, Flash, Browser MMO and Download Games.Casual Connect is produced by the Casual Games Association and is the premiere event for the casual games industry with over 5,500 professionals attending Casual Connect each year. This edition of the global convention is in Singapore. Casual Connect brings together experts in the casual gaming field to further the casual games industry with the best of networking and learning. Lectures at Casual Connect are programmed to focus on cutting edge topics in the video games space. Conference content is programmed by a set of industry advisors. On May 19 the lecture series opens with an Industry Insights: Overview followed by “Welcome to Casual Connect Asia 2015.” Then later in the afternoon, just before a scheduled coffee break, Junde Yu, Vice President, APAC, App Annie, addresses “Worldwide and Asia Mobile Gaming Trends.”

The IDEA Showcase at Casual Connect Asia consists of a cutting edge showcase display from: Signus Labs, Boomzap, Altitude Games, KiraGames, Blam! Games, all with works in development. Parties and networking events abound at Casual Connect Asia. The day before official expo opening, May 18, there will be the “Badge Pickup and Pre-Funk Party,” serving handcrafted beers. On opening day, expect the “Official Casual Connect Party” with beer, snacks and live band following the days activities. On official day two, there is another "Official Casual Connect Party” featuring complete course meal and beer/wine. On the day before convention close, expect the Indie Prize Awards that will present the year’s winners. On May 20, conference day two, Oliver Jones, Co-Founder, Moonfrog Labs, presents “Emerging Markets: How to Win Your First Billion Players.” The same day in a later lecture, Stephen Lee, Executive Director, Business Development6waves discusses “Unlocking Asia: Secrets to Launching in the East.”

On Casual Connect Asia's final day of the conference, Rohit Sharma, Founder, POKKT, presents The India Mobile Games Market and How Game Developers in India and SEA Can Monitize their Non-paying Users through Incentivized Video Ads. The Casual Games Association is a professional international trade organization providing educational resources and community support for those involved in creating games for the mass market consumer. Mass market games are found on a wide arrangement of platforms including personal computers, video game consoles, mobile phones and handheld devices. Because of their ease of distribution, varied monetization methods and mass appeal, mass market games are distributed in a wide variety of locations including retail stores, major online portals, and speciality online retailers.

After early morning and afternoon creative panel sessions, New York Festivals will welcome award winners, jury members and guests from around the globe for this day of events, May 21, recognizing global advertising work. The 2015 Competitions include the categories of: Avant-Garde, Branded Entertainment, Creative Marketing Effectiveness, Design, Package Design, Digital, Direct and Collateral, Film, Integrated, Outdoor, Print, Public and Media Relations, Public Service Announcements, Radio, Student. With entries and jury members from over 70 countries, this advertising awards competition  demonstrates a proclivity with regard to its diversity of selection.

New York Festivals maintains an international network of representatives who promote the competitions in over 65 countries. These representatives are entrusted to searching out and rewarding The World’s Best Work™ — not only by recruiting entries but also filling the judging rosters with creatives who represent every advertising center of the world, ensuring that all work is judged without cultural bias and that each competition represents the highest degrees of craftsmanship. In collaboration with the United Nations Department of Public Information, NYF established the United Nations Awards in 1990 to honor programming and advertising that best exemplifies the aims and ideals of the United Nations.

Later in the evening, guests of the event will take part in a Gala event at Jazz at Lincoln Center’s Frederick P. Rose Hall,  for a cocktail reception followed by the awards ceremony. A celebratory after-party will be held to toast all the winners of the World’s Best Advertising. NYF honors winners with parties, Un-traditional awards ceremonies and gallery-style showcases. Black-tie awards ceremonies for Film and Video and TV Broadcasting Awards are held the last week in January. The winners of NYF Innovative Advertising competition are showcased in April and the winners of the NYF Advertising in All Media competition are celebrated at the beginning of June. An awards ceremony for Radio Broadcasting is held at the end of June.

Produced By Conference LA will present an arrangement of speakers, sessions and workshops, networking and social events, technology demonstrations and related exhibits, to cover two complete days of programming on current and evolving trends in production, distribution, finance, marketing, branding and media strategy. Produced By... is an event for producers, by producers. Attendees have the opportunity to network with Oscar-nominated filmmakers, Emmy-winning showrunners, and the next generation of creative entrepreneurs in a planned weekend of panel discussions, group mentoring sessions, and a Friday (May 29) evening Kick-Off party hosted by Paramount Pictures. In one program feature, Produced By Conference sets up a Mentoring Roundtable, giving small groups of up to ten attendees 60 minutes to ask questions of, and seek advice from, a seasoned producer acting as a mentor of their choice. Produced By Conference is held through the Producers Guild of America’s charitable entity, the PGA Foundation. The Foundation’s core mission is to educate those who work in the producing profession.

The above events are only a sample of what is fully listed. Complete details are on the "Media, Entertainment and Performing Arts Industry News and Events" page at: http://www.actorschecklist.com/index.php/news.... If you like this report and other content found on The Actor's Checklist, please like us on our Facebook page at this link. This month's photo placement shows movie stills for Marvel Studios latest Avengers entry, Age of Ultron, which opened with a North American weekend box office of $187.7 million, coming in somewhat behind the original Avengers film. If the photos do not appear in this post please visit the blog page to view them. Looking ahead into the next month be aware that: Cine Gear Expo LA will be in Los Angeles, Tune In: Variety’s TV Summit will be run out of Beverly Hills, Banff World Media Festival returns to Banff-Alberta, The British Horror Film Festival will be in London, MIDEM 2015 returns to Cannes, Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival is in Manchester.

NAB 2015, Tribeca Film Festival, Apps World Germany, Dada Saheb Phalke Film Fest, are highlights in April's Global Media and Entertainment Industry

New Orleans’ French Quarter Festival supports the local music community and only schedules local musicians regardless of the style of music they play. The Festival has over 20 stages featuring every genre from gospel to jazz, from funk to classical, from Cajun and Zydeco to brass bands. All music programming is free to the public. The community festival also features the ‘World’s Largest Jazz Brunch’ and festival food booths operated by some of New Orleans finer restaurants.

French Quarter Festival takes place throughout the historic French Quarter (Vieux Carre) neighborhood in New Orleans. Music stages are located at Jackson Square, Woldenberg Riverfront Park, Bourbon Street, Royal Street, Bienville Triangle, Preservation Hall, the French Market and other significant points throughout the French Quarter district. Music performances are made possible by the French Quarter Festival Musician Sponsors, American Federation of Musicians, New Orleans Local No. 174-496, the Music Performance Trust Fund, and over 100 entertainment sponsors.

From its April 9 start, French Quarter Festival features a number of special events highlighting the unique culture of the region. The French Market Traditional Jazz Stage and the Chevron Cajun-Zydeco Showcase will feature dancing and classes on April 10. Also on the same day, the story of New Orleans’ black carnival traditions: the Zulus, Indians, Baby Dolls, Skeletons and the men and women who carried on these traditions for over a century is part of a film festival. Operatic performances with musical accompaniment sponsored by the French Market happen at dusk.

The Festival has programmed the Pirates Alley Juried Art Show presented by the New Orleans Art Association on April 11. On the same day, French Quarter Festival and the NOLA Jitterbugs present free sessions in: 1920s Charleston, Swing, Cajun Jitterbug and Zydeco dance lessons. The final festival day, April 12, opens with the Pirates Alley Juried Art Show, followed later with panels on Louisiana Music. A Film Festival about French Quarter Festival is presented by Timecode:NOLA. French Quarter Festival closes with Dancing At Dusk.

Now in its 24th year, the Florida Film Festival in Maitland is an Oscar®-qualifying festival premiering independent, and international cinema. For ten days after the April 10 opening, 170 film screenings and special events give film lovers the opportunity to mingle with filmmakers and actors over hand-crafted cocktails and a food menu from Eden Bar inside the theater and other settings. The Opening Night Film screening and reception features "Welcome to Me" and “Submarine Sandwich.” The genre categories for the festival include: shorts, documentaries, features, international entries, spotlight selections, midnight screenings, family oriented programming, Florida themed films, music and retro channels, Tastemaker Picks.

There are scheduled discussions, and on April 15 a “Film In Florida” talk, sponsored by Orlando Film Commission will be an Everything You Need to Know Guide for filming in Florida, from locations, to incentives, and everything in between. This discussion event, which is free to the public, is followed by a mix-and-mingle with industry professionals and fellow filmmakers. An April 17 Filmmaker Forum is the festival’s annual exchange of ideas and know-how, and first hand accounts of trials and triumphs from the filmmaker’s themselves, moderated by Rollins College Professor Denise Cummings, Chair of the Department of Critical Media and Cultural Studies.

And Florida Film Festival is never short on parties and other networking events for their guests and even the public to be part of. Aside from the Opening Night Party there is a Whole Foods Market tasting on April 11 for guests to sample the spread of natural and organic tastes of Whole Foods Market. A Sunday Brunch Buffet prepared by Enzian’s chef is scheduled for April 12. A Block Party with live music for Festival ticket and pass holders provides free drinks and appetizers from select Winter Park Village restaurants. On April 13, the Monday Night Pitcher Show is a free screening for the public on the lawn. Other Pitcher Shows follow on April 15 and 16. The Florida Film Mixer is a post screening discussion as well as mix and mingle with industry professionals on April 15. An invitation only Industry Party at Taps Restaurant Bar and Lounge on April 17 serves craft and imported beers and wine and food.

The annual NAB Show serves the digital media and entertainment industries and is a showcase for next-generation tools to develop, manage and deliver content across all electronic/digital platforms. There will be a sizable array of program offerings from conference and exhibitor presenters. The activity areas served include, but are not limited to: broadcast, digital media, film, entertainment, telecom, post-production, education, houses of worship. New attractions set for 2015 will include Connected Media|IP, focusing on the consumer experience; the Drone Pavilion, featuring a fully enclosed “flying cage” for demonstrations; New Media Expo (NMX) hosting celebrity bloggers, podcasters and digital content creators; SPROCKIT, where market-ready startups present their new ideas; StudioXperience, a live studio using all the latest tools and so much more.

Within NAB’s Conference segment, the Media Finance and Investor Conference is produced in partnership with Noble Financial Capital Markets featuring discussions at the corporate CEO, CFO, and investor relations level around technology investments, economic outlook panel discussions around ad growth. NAB's exhibition/pavilion area - Futures Park - holds a showcase of advanced projects presented by NAB Labs. Expect demonstrations of high-tech media developments in progress, prototypes, and products not yet available for sale from academic, government, and commercial research laboratories in the United States and around the world. New Media Expo (NMX) features bloggers, podcasters, Web TV content creators and social media visionaries. The conference includes more than 100 educational sessions within new media exhibits and the popular Speed Networking sessions. The three-day Creative Masters Series program offers perspective from directors, show runners, creative crew, studio and network production executives as they share insights on: cinematography in post production, advancing story through sound, editor’s role in production, advances in animation, augmented reality and other areas.

SPROCKIT Pavilion at NAB showcases a collection of market-ready startups influencing transformation in the media and entertainment industry. Principals that run these innovative operations have been vetted by some of the industry’s leading media, entertainment and investment organizations to present at the NAB Show. A partial roll call of the companies taking part include, aioTV, a video platform that enables service providers and content owners to aggregate multiple sources of live, on-demand and freely available video content into a single, unified TV experience; Videogram, a tool that allows consumers to get a quick overview of an entire video's contents without watching the entire video from beginning to end; Bcast, a next generation social broadcasting network, platform and application that enables users to instantly broadcast live streaming videos at any time; Yottio, a real-time video screening and trafficking platform for media makers. NAB’s website is the best source to check for a full program guide to the NAB Convention.

The Seventh Annual TV and Film Finance Forum is a one-day conference set for April 14 focused on financial strategies and opportunities within the television and film business. This New York City forum is designed for chief investment officers, private equity and hedge fund managers, angel investors, high net worth individuals, private family office managers, and financial advisers who are interested in learning more about the TV and film business and networking with seasoned deal-makers in the industry. Additionally film and TV executives working on operational, financing, production and distribution strategies are also expected to attend.

Confirmed speakers for Seventh Annual TV and Film Finance Forum include financiers and producers of “Boyhood" and “Imitation Game" along with investors in companies such as Legendary Pictures, Lakeshore and ALCON. Topics to be addressed include: How Television Can Mine Bigger Data and Better Revenue, Generating Revenues on a Global Scale, Keynote on the Value of Original Content, Identifying and Monetizing the New Face of Television, Bridging the Gap Between Financiers and Producers, The Capital Stack Re-Defined, Keynote Conversation on Financing Award-Winning Films, Alternative Investment Views on Emerging Opportunities.

New York Festival's World's Best TV and Films competition honors programming in all lengths and forms from over 50 countries. This event happens in Las Vegas during the same time frame for NAB 2015. The program opens April 14 with Cocktail Reception and Red Carpet Interviews, then Awards presentation, closes with Champagne Reception. Hosted by Rose Anderson, Executive Director, New York Festivals International Television and Film Awards. Dress is business attire. April 15 is dedicated to the New York Festivals Creative Masters Session, South Hall LVCC. New York Festival's World's Best TV and Films competition honors programming in all lengths and forms from over 50 countries.

Dedicated to both the Television and Film industries, categories mirror today's global trends and encourage the next generation of story-tellers and talent: Animation, Comedy, Corporate, Drama, Documentary, Feature Films, Movie Trailers, Music Videos, News, Promos, Reality TV Drama, Sports, Telenovelas, Webisodes, Best Performance by an Actor/Actress, Special Event, Innovation, Technical Production Team, CSR, Best Screenplay, Video Art, and Best Host. There are also presentations for the Lifetime Achievement Award, Grand Awards, Broadcaster of the Year, Production Company of the Year, and United Nations winners.

The Tribeca Film Festival was founded to celebrate New York City as a major filmmaking center and to contribute to the long-term recovery of lower Manhattan. The Festival's program line-up includes a variety of independent films including documentaries, narrative features and shorts, as well as a program of family-friendly films. The Festival also features panel discussions with personalities in the entertainment world and a music lounge produced with ASCAP to showcase artists. This year’s festival running April 15-26 reveals an added emphasis for retrospective (and memorable) tributes. In just one such retrospective, TFF 2015 presents, The 80’s Strike Back at the Tribeca Film Festival: Broderick, Schwarzenegger and Rourke. The evenings program will revisit their iconic 80’s film accomplishments and have a look at their current projects -- all celebrating their world premieres at the 2015 Tribeca Film Festival. Another very hot ticket item at this year’s festival is expected to be “Sinatra at 100: Film and Music...”

TFF 2015 has called on Tony Bennet, Lea DeLaria, Savion Glover and others to take part in “Sinatra at 100: Film and Music...” a centennial celebration honoring Frank Sinatra’s legendary music and film career. The program is set to screen two Sinatra classics — Some Came Running, and High Society — on April 24. But the centerpiece of the celebration happens on April 21, with an evening of film and music. After a new digital restoration of On The Town, from Warner Bros., the Sinatra family shares the spotlight and there are performances by legendary vocalist Tony Bennett, musician Brandon Flowers (The Killers), Rap artist, NE-Yo, comedian, actress and jazz musician Lea DeLaria (Orange is the New Black), dancer and choreographer Savion Glover, singer/songwriter Alice Smith, and bandleader/songwriter JC Hopkins and the 12-piece JC Hopkins Biggish Band.

In honor of GoodFellas' 25th Anniversary Celebration, the creators and cast members will reunite for a converstion after the Closing Night screening. Based on a true-life bestseller, GoodFellas follows Henry Hill and his friends as they climb up the mob ranks. A standout exploration of criminal life backed by a dynamic pop/rock oldies soundtrack, the film won accolades on its release and has been hailed by film critic circles as the best film of the decade. Now it has been remastered from the original camera negative, supervised by Martin Scorsese. Spend the closing weekend of the Festival (April 24) in amusement celebrating the 40th anniversary of the classic Monty Python and the Holy Grail with the legends themselves, John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Eric Idle, Terry Jones, and Michael Palin. To complete the celebration, select Pythons will introduce the premiere of a new documentary and retrospective screenings of their movie masterworks, all weekend long.

The COLCOA is committed to raising awareness of new French cinema in the U.S. and to showcasing them in the filmmaking capital -- Hollywood. Submissions in the mix include: comedies and dramas, box office hits in France and novelties, first features and films from established writer-directors, documentaries, animation features, short films, art house movies as well as mainstream films. Scheduled after the Academy Awards® and before the Cannes Film Festival, the eight day festival runs through April 28. Several features are presented at COLCOA for the first time in North America or in the U.S. COLCOA has reportedly made good selections a year before their commercial release in the U.S., placing the annual Hollywood event on the radar of U.S. film distributors. In 2008, an educational program was also launched to promote foreign films among young American audiences in association with E.L.M.A (European Languages and Movies in America). Thousands of high school students and 95 high schools in Los Angeles County have participated in the program since 2008. In 2010, a master class program was introduced for colleges, film schools and universities.

From Berlin, TV and Multi-screen Screen Apps conference at Apps World Germany will examine the ways in which the TV viewing experience is evolving and growing from the multitude of devices that have surfaced in the connected ecosystem. It will explore the different opportunities and challenges for content producers, operators, aggregators, developers and device manufacturers. The agenda for two days opening April 22 holds ten workshop tracks aside from exhibitions and networking and special events.

Workshop track, "TV and Multi-Screen, Defining the multi screen opportunities for the TV revolution," will have keynote speakers, Prof. Wolfram Winter, Executive Vice President Communications and Public Affairs, Sky Deutschland. The other keynote speaker is Matthias Buechs, Member of the Board of Management, RTL Interactive, Director Online, RTL Interactive GmBH. Following the keynotes, sessions in TV and Multi-Screen breakdown as follows: Industry Overview, Monetisation and T-Commerce, TV Everywhere, Multi-Platform Engagement. The Gaming workshop at Apps World will examine how developers can take advantage of the continued rise in mobile gaming. Sessions will examine the developer and design of gaming apps and the business side of launching these in the market.

Other Apps World highlights include: free to attend technical Developer Zone workshops focusing on a variety of platforms and insight for developers, free to attend Droidworld workshops – dealing with the key issues for Android developers, Free to attend exhibition, Multiple tracks covering the entire app ecosystem from marketers to operators and everything in-between, niche workshops exploring developing areas of the app industry such as TV apps and automotive apps.

Apps World Germany has formed partnerships with local meet-up groups in Berlin for this year’s event. The groups become a big meetup on the show floor and will include: Google Developer Group Berlin Android (GDG), betahaus, Geek Girls Carrotts Berlin, Silicon Valley Mindset, hub:raum, Bitcoin Startups Berlin, BeMyApp, Mobile Monday (MoMo), Web Devs HQ Berlin, UX Designers HQ Berlin, Freelancers HQ Berlin, The Functional Club.

The Dada Saheb Phalke Film Festival was established to celebrate Indian cinema and honor the legacy of the late Shri Dhundiraj Govind Phalke, regarded as the father of Indian Cinema and fondly remembered as Dada Saheb Phalke by the film fraternity in international filmmaking circles. It is a not-to-profit, non-commercial, independent film festival, originally begun in 2011 in Noida (Delhi NCR) with a mission to celebrate the cinema and work of aspiring, young, independent and professional filmmakers. A primary objective of the festival is to mark the April 30 birth anniversary of the late Shri Dhundiraj Govind Phalke, regarded as the father of Indian Cinema and fondly remembered as Dada Saheb Phalke by the film fraternity in international filmmaking circles.

Film entries, which are international in scope, fill sections for feature films, short films, documentaries, animations, music videos and commercials. The festival awards the filmmakers in production, creative and performance categories. The festival will offer a Co-Production Meet: Film Market-15; Screenplay Incubation: Script Contest; Master Class on Short Films Marketing, Promotion, Distribution and Revenue Generation; Film Business Meet: Film Market-15; Master Class on Film Funding; 21 Days Animation Project: Short Animation Contest; 5 Shifts Film Project: Short Fimmaking Contest. Founded by the Educationexpo TV, an entertainment research and branding company and managed by Miniboxoffice, Dada Saheb Phalke Film Festival-15 is open to filmmakers of all ages. Its intent is to find and cultivate talented future members of the entertainment industry.

The above events are only a sample of what is fully listed. Complete details are on the "Media, Entertainment and Performing Arts Industry News and Events" page at: http://www.actorschecklist.com/index.php/news-updates/monthly-event-calendar. The events blog also shows links to pages that are translated into ten of the most widely used international languages read over the Internet other than English. This month's photo placement displays the Universal film franchise "Furious7" as it set box office records across the globe in its opening week. Also, Tribeca Film Festival will have a 100th anniversary celebration honoring the film and musical legacy of Frank Sinatra. If the photos do not appear in this post please visit the blog page to view it. Looking ahead into the next month be aware that: Streaming Media switches from West Coast to East Coast East and arrives in New York City as Streaming Media East, footageMarketplace London opens in London, New York Festivals International Advertising Awards has ceremonies in New York City, Casual Connect Asia 2015  produced by the Casual Games Association is set for Singapore, New York International Short Film Festival will be in New York City, Cine Gear Expo opens in Los Angeles, Seattle International Film Festival opens for a three week run in Seattle.

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

 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Art Basel, CineAsia Hong Kong, The Midwest Clinic, Kuchipudi Dance Convention, are highlights in December's Global Media and Entertainment Industry

At Art Basel in Miami, international art galleries show work from masters of Modern and contemporary art as well as pieces by newly emerging artists. Paintings, sculptures, drawings, installations, photographs, films, and editioned works are displayed in the main exhibition hall, while designated artworks and performances become part of the landscape at nearby beaches, Collins Park and SoundScape Park. A number of events listed on the agenda are free to the public. Although most Art Basel events are conducted December 3-7, from December 2, de la Cruz Collection, a selection of works by artists re-defining Post War movements - New Abstraction, Figurative Realism, appropriation and process-based art - goes on exhibit through December 6. Also set for an early December 2 start, The Margulies Collection at the Warehouse, Fifteen Year Anniversary Exhibition, runs through December 7.

Every June, Art Basel marks the summer reunion of the international art world, hosted by the city of Basel. Outside the exhibition halls, the city of Basel's cultural institutions – Fondation Beyeler, Kunstmuseum Basel, Kunsthalle Basel, Tinguely Museum, and Kunsthaus Baselland – offer museum exhibitions. Art Basel in Miami Beach has been adapted as the winter meeting place for the Art Basel international art world circuit. Miami’s leading private collections open their homes and warehouses to guests of Art Basel. Additionally, the museums of South Florida organize exhibitions

The public opening of Art Basel will feature a special evening program with live performances. This event is produced in collaboration with the Bass Museum of Art. A Crowdfunding Meet and Greet grants access to conversation panels with members of the Art Basel and Kickstarter teams and gives details about projects that have already come to life as a result of the crowdfunding drive. Salons, or informal presentations such as artist talks, panels, lectures and performances, with a wide range of speakers and topics from the international art world, are held every day of Art Basel.

Art Basel works with curators who present a selection of international artists and emerging talents. Art Basel maintains an international network with over twenty Global VIP Relations Managers covering five continents, who build and strengthen relationships year-round with art world luminaries, art collectors, business leaders and decision-makers. Connecting the international art community has been Art Basel's goal since its beginning. In Hong Kong (March 15–17, 2015), Basel (June 18–21, 2015) and Miami Beach (December 4–7, 2014), each show is defined by its host city, with participating galleries showing artworks unique to the region, and parallel programming produced in collaboration with the region's local institutions.

International Music Festival Conference 2014 (IMFCON) produces a programs offering innovation, education, and an understanding of how music festivals play a crucial role in the music industry and foster growth in the arts. The Sixth Annual International Music Festival Conference in Austin opens December 7 with a SAG-AFTRA Opening Reception. Following an Orientation session as the first opening remarks, the agenda then presents: "It’s been a Hard Day’s Night! 2014 Recap-State of the Industry," an insiders look at the festival industry and the forecast for 2015 and how to plan for it. This will be followed by session titled: "The Anatomy of A Festival." Conference day one concludes with a Cocktail Reception Hosted by PublicVine and a FireChat After Party following that. The December 9 final day closing symposium will address: "Visual Arts:  How art installations give festivals personality, identity, and longevity." The Conference will close with a cocktail reception at the Texas Foyer.

CineAsia Hong Kong is a Pan-Asian Convention dedicated to the Cinema Exhibition and Distribution communities. It will feature screenings of upcoming Hollywood films, regional films, sponsored special events, informative seminars on cinema technology and developments and the CineAsia Trade Show for three days opening December 9. CineAsia brings together Asian cinema industry professionals, from cinema owners and suppliers to film buyers and distributors. As the sister event to ShowEast and CineEurope, CineAsia maintains similar standards of programming, seminars, special events and suppliers. CineAsia screens major Asian and Hollywood films and offers educational programs specifically geared toward the needs of the Asian cinema exhibition community.

Indonesian film producer and anti-piracy campaigner, Maya Barack-Evans will be honored with the CineAsia 2014 Asia-Pacific Copyright Educator (ACE) Award at a CineAsia Awards Ceremony on December 11. She is a key member of the Association of Indonesian Film Producers (APROFI) which comprises about 30 local filmmakers, aiming to improve the quality of the Indonesian film industry and to gain international recognition. On December 10 of the convention, cinema innovator, Timeplay, will give an interactive cinema demonstration and show how movie goers can use their smart phones and tablets to interact with and influence outcomes on the big screen. The platform enables cinemas, studios, advertisers and other partners to entertain, inform, and sell direct with movie goers before, after or instead of a movie. Following that, Sony Pictures Releasing International will make a 3D oriented product presentation and then host an evening reception after that.

Convention organizer, the Film Expo Group includes ShowEast, held in Florida; CineEurope, held in Barcelona; and CineAsia, held in Hong Kong. Parent company, the Prometheus Global Media Film Expo Group owns media publications and organizes entertainment industry events affecting the motion picture industry including Film Journal International, Billboard, The Hollywood Reporter, Adweek, Dick Clark Productions, the CLIO Awards, CineEurope, and ShowEast. Through these various media properties, Prometheus Global Media engages people and marketers by serving their needs in: music, media, entertainment.

Asia TV Forum and Market conducted in association with miptv and mipcom, Asia TV Forum and Market is an international entertainment content market and convention to buy, sell, finance, distribute and co-produce, across all platforms. It is where the industry meets Asia's buying community, discovers the latest trends in Asia, showcases best in class innovation and champion and monetise the next generation of Asian content. It is organized by Reed Exhibitions Pte Limited and is held this year in Singapore City, December 9-12. The Asia Media Opening Keynote Speaker is James Wang Zhonglei, President, Huayi Brothers Media Corporation China. He will be followed by Ma Dong, Chief Content Officer Iqiyi, China. He will address, Digital China: The New Storyteller - Iqiyi.

This year ATF Animation Lab will introduce "Up-Close with Commissioners", a two-day knowledge sharing session that will give attending delegates opportunities to glimpse into the programming plans of international animation studio commissioners, and what they will be looking for from 2016-2017. Overall, Animation Lab is a three-day closed door pitching event focused toward animation producers to pitch their animation projects and ideas to attending international broadcasters, commissioners and financers.

ATF will be held in conjunction with MIPACADEMY, Asia Television Awards, recognizing excellence in programming, production and performance; ScreenSingapore, an international content sellers and Asian buyers business arena to buy, sell, finance, distribute and co-produce, across the platforms; and Singapore International Film Festival, focused on showcasing international films and providing a global platform for the best of Singapore cinema. The MIPACADEMY event gathers format and factual producers from across the entertainment industry who want to learn directly from international format experts.

The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce will conduct the second meeting on December 10 of its new The Entertainment, Arts and Media Committee -- TEAM HOLLYWOOD. For current Hollywood Chamber members this is a complimentary member benefit. TEAM HOLLYWOOD's mission is to promote the Hollywood brand with the intention of preserving Hollywood's homegrown entertainment industries with a focus on film, broadcasting, commercials, television and performing arts. The Hollywood Chamber Committee additionally aims to cultivate new and emerging media so as to uphold Hollywood's status as the entertainment capital of the world. TEAM HOLLYWOOD is co-chaired by Chamber members Susan Cabral-Ebert of IATSE Local 706 and Maricela Gomez of Paramount Pictures and meets quarterly. Chamber committees comprised of volunteer members are continuously working to improve Hollywod and shape its future. Through committee involvement, members have the opportunity to bring change in areas specific to their business and to make important business contacts. The Hollywood Chamber encourages all to take advantage of this membership benefit by participating in ongoing committees. This is a free event with limited seating. RSVP is essential.

The Midwest Clinic International Band, Orchestra and Music Conference provides attendees interested in music education with an array of clinics and exhibits, as well as access to well regarded music and teaching professionals. The Chicago located conference, continuing for four days through December 20, will also focus on industry trends and future topics in business and music education. A Conference highlight includes ensembles in performance, while showcasing anywhere from students to seasoned performers exhibiting their talents to a targeted audience with an interest in furthering music education. Each band and orchestra panel is specifically focused and offers attendees the most up-to-date music styles and education techniques. Particular features to this conference reinforce its focus on mentoring and development. Rehearsal labs provide observers an opportunity to watch and listen to conductors working with various types of ensembles in an open rehearsal setting.

The Midwest Clinic is structured for educational purposes exclusively, and among other goals, to disseminate to school music teachers, directors and supervisors and others interested in music education, information to assist in their professional work for the betterment of music education. An important goal of The Midwest Clinic sessions is for audience members to gain insight and develop practical educational framework skills they can use at home with their own ensembles. New music reading sessions provide a glimpse of new music publications available for each type of ensemble. Attendees have the advantage of listening to professional musicians as they introduce new works and perform a portion of each piece for a live audience. Each session presents a variety of styles, composers, and publishers. There will be a December 18 College Night for students and teachers looking for a music degree program among eighty colleges, universities and branches of the United States Military planning to send representatives.

Starting from December 26 in Gachibowli district of Hyderabad, more than 6,000 dancers from different parts of Andhra Pradesh, other states within India, the US, Canada, UK, Russia, Dubai, Mauritius, Malaysia and Singapore and a few other countries are expected to take part in the International Kuchipudi Dance Convention. The International Kuchipudi Dance Convention showcases interactive sessions where technical aspects of the dance form will be discussed and dance performances by the dancers of various participating countries will showcase their talent. The highlight of the conference will be a group recital in which thousands of dancers from all over the world will dance to a few selected pieces. A video has been prepared which contains all the dance pieces which will be performed on the final day is viewable online. The dancers, with the help of their respective teachers will have to learn the dance pieces, practice and perform as per the instructions given in the video. Parent organizer, SiliconAndhra organization, based in San Jose, California, has been doing several vital cultural programs over the last 12 years to protect and perpetuate the Telugu language, literature, tradition and culture. Apart from Projects, SiliconAndhra conducts five major events in each calendar year, timed to correspond to important dates in the Indian calendar. Other areas of involvement other than Kuchipudi Dance Convention include, Manabadi initiative to teach Teiugu to children born and brought up outside Andhra Pradesh, publishing the “Sujanaranjani” magazine to spread 'Telugudanam' (telugu culture) around the world, 'Global Internet Forum For Telugu (GIFT)' initiative with the goal to bring together the technology and language.

The World Wide Music Contest is a global competition conducted over the web, and open to bands and solo artists without a current recording or performance contract. A public voting system engaging the sites daily visitors urges them to select their favorite artists. The competition is primarily conducted through the organization's web portal at: www.worldwidemusic.com. New bands, solo artists and singers compete for a grand cash prize in Euros, mastering services, instrument accessories and promotion services. The contest is still open to submissions and is free to enter until December 31, 2014. The overall first prize will be assigned to a band or artist indicated by the public vote and then confirmed by the contest's judging panel. Toshikazu Maruno of Kagoshima Prefecture is contesting for top placement in the World Wide Music Contest 2014 but competition is fierce. With his guitar, he performs songs of love, hope and life's daily struggles in the Rock, Pop and Acoustic range. In January 1998, he released an album, "In The Name Of Love." In the summer of 2011, he released another album "KIZUNA." Toshikazu's most recent album to date is "Gratitude," released in 2014. The voting in World Wide Music Contest remains tightly contested, but Toshikazu Maruno is determined to win new fans and maintain his edge With his two songs entered: "Your Happiness Is My Happiness" and "This Is My Life". Enthusiastic fans are permitted to vote up to two times in a 24 hour period. Be sure to keep checking the MySpace or Facebook page for Toshikazu Maruno for upcoming concert tour dates he will have in the new year of 2015.

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 includes the CD cover with acoustic pop musician and singer Toshikazu Maruno, his new album "Gratitude," and a contestant in the World Wide Music Contest, and movie stills from latest Hobbit release, "Battle of the Five Armies." If the photo does not appear in this post please visit the blog page to view it. Beginning the new year in January 2015, there are a full calendar of events now that the holidays are past. The global content marketplace known as NATPE opens in Miami, Annie Awards will make presentations in Los Angeles, the annual AFCI Locations Show comes to Century City, the Mountain High Music Festival opens in Crested Butte, the much anticipated Sundance Film Festival returns to Park City, Best Of Events International happens for a period of two days in Dortmund, Advanced Film Industry Expo is in Tokyo. Seasons greetings to all and all the best for the holiday period from The Actor's Checklist.

AFM/AFI, CCW+SATCON, Salon de la Photo, Supanova Pop Culture Expo, are highlights in November's Global Media and Entertainment Industry

AFM is the anticipated, annual film industry event that's not quite festival, not quite conference, but mostly business opportunity -- the business of independent motion picture production and distribution -- set oceanside against Santa Monica/Venice beachfront. Generally, 8,000 plus industry professionals arrive in Santa Monica for deal-making, screenings, seminars, networking and parties. Each consecutive day of the conference series is set to focus on any one topic of Finance, Pitching, Production, Marketing and Distribution. Headlining names set to speak at the 2014 Film Market include: Millennium Films’ President Mark Gill, WME Partner Mark Ankner and UTA’s Independent Film Group Co-Head Rena Ronson, all confirmed to participate in the Production Conferences. The Distribution Conference attendees include Tugg, Inc. CEO and independent producer Nicolas Gonda and Cinetic Media Founder John Sloss and producer Cassian Elwes will participate in the Pitch Conference.

Growing from 2013, a total of 430 films are set to screen with 349 market premieres and 84 world premieres. More than 100 speakers from around the globe will participate in the AFM Conference Series, Producers Forum, Roundtables and Industry Conversations. Director/producer Brett Ratner takes part in the Finance Conference and comedian/podcast king Adam Carolla will indulge in an Industry Conversation. Millennium Films’ President Mark Gill, WME Partner Mark Ankner, and UTA’s Independent Film Group Co-Head Rena Ronson will add insight in the Production Conferences. For well informed film industry professionals it's no secret that Nigeria is one of the top global filmmaking capitals. For 2014 AFM is hosting a November 9 roundtable that will focus on the development and promotion of the African film industry through co-production. The roundtable will bring together business parties/partners that have an interest in films produced in Africa with cross-cultural appeal, and develop opportunities to reap returns of untapped potential of the African film industry.

The American Film Market (AFM) is the market partner of AFI FEST. The association between the two events connects art and commerce (more on AFI in the next story below). AFM badges will allow access to many AFI events, including all public screenings. AFI FEST badges will allow access to the AFM screenings. AFI FEST filmmakers, whose films are part of the festival, will have full access to AFM (and to be able to promote their film to the AFM participant distributors. Shuttle buses will move participants between Santa Monica and Hollywood. AFM is produced by the Independent Film and Television Alliance®, the global trade association of the independent motion picture and television industry and the voice and advocate for the Independents worldwide. The organization represents more than 150 member companies from 23 countries, consisting of independent production and distribution companies, sales agents, television companies and financial institutions engaged in film finance.

Participant Media’s "A Most Violent Year," distributed by A24, will have its World Premiere as the Opening Night Gala of AFI FEST 2014 in Hollywood. The film is written and directed by Academy Award nominee J.C. Chandor and stars Oscar Isaac, Academy Award nominees Jessica Chastain and Albert Brooks as well as David Oyelowo, Alessandro Nivola, Elyes Gabel and Catalina Sandino Moreno. To attend the World Premiere and Opening Night Gala of "A Most Violent Year" with reserved seats, guests must purchase a festival package at the Star Patron or Marquee Patron level. The American Film Market (AFM) that happens across town in Santa Monica, from November 5-12, is the market partner of AFI FEST. The association between the two events connects art and commerce, broadening the opportunities for all participants, and collectively represents the largest gathering in North America.

At this years AFI, Sophia Loren will be honored with a Tribute on November 12 and her memoir “Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow:  My Life” will be published by Artia Books on December 2, 2014. The November 12 evening celebrates Loren’s career and coincides with the 50th anniversary of her Academy Award-nominated role in "Marriage Italian Style" [Matrimonio All’Italiana] (Dir. Vittorio De Sica, 1964). The Tribute will also include a conversation with Loren about her career, and The Human Voice [La Voce Umana] (Dir. Edoardo Ponti, 2014), a short film directed by her son in which she stars, will be shown as part of the evening. Festival-goers will be able to obtain available tickets online at AFI.com/AFIFEST until the last day of the festival. Additional tickets will be available all day, every day through Closing Night online and at the festival's box office. No pre-assigned time slot needed. Same-day tickets are only available in person at the AFI FEST AT&T Box Office or the Rush Line.

The American Film Market (AFM) is the market partner of AFI FEST. The association between the two events connects art and commerce, broadening the opportunities for all participants, and collectively represents the largest gathering in North America. AFI FEST filmmakers, whose films are part of the festival, will have full access to AFM (and to be able to promote their film to the AFM participant distributors. Shuttle buses will move participants between Santa Monica and Hollywood. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences recognizes AFI FEST as a qualifying festival for the Short Films category of the annual Academy Awards. AFI FEST holds the FIAPF accreditation (FIAPF.org), assuring a high standard of quality and reliability for the international film community.As a non-profit educational and cultural organization, AFI's purpose is to preserve the history of the motion picture, to honor the artists and their work and to educate the next generation of storytellers.

The well regarded Casual Connect convention series comes to Belgrade. Casual Connect is the place to learn more about the gaming industry which entertains 300 million people each month, and its various platforms: iPhone, Social, Android, Flash, Browser MMO and Download Games. Lectures at Casual Connect are programmed to focus on cutting edge topics in the casual games space. Over 40 games will be exhibited as a part of the Indie Prize showcase in Belgrade, Serbia and entered into competition for the Indie Prize Award. Developers and schools submit their indie games to take part in future upcoming showcase which is handled through the website.

One highlight of Casual Connect Eastern Europe 2014 is The International Design, Entertain and Amaze (IDEA) Showcase, setup for established developers looking for international partners for publishing, user acquisition, game performance monitoring and logistical support. Hosted four times a year in conjunction with Casual Connect and Indie Prize, the IDEA Showcase™ highlights developers from all over the world in showcases in Western Europe, Asia, USA and Eastern Europe. Promising developers just getting started are encouraged to apply for the Indie Prize scholarship.

Parties at Casual Connect are an integral part of the networking experience. At this ninth annual Casual Connect Eastern Europe there is the Big Fish Rock Star Party on November 10, the Indie Prize Awards Ceremony on November 11, the Nordeus Party also on November 11, the Mad Head Games party which happens for all three convention dates. Casual Games Association produces the premiere events for the casual games industry with over 6,500 professionals attending Casual Connect each year. Casual Connect brings together talented and knowledgeable experts in the casual gaming field to further the casual games industry with the networking and learning.

CCW+SATCON in New York City, now produced by NAB, is about the business of content -- media, entertainment, video and communications technology. It's conference and exposition format covers evolving digital, production and satellite technologies that are driving the industry and impacting the way content is delivered to the world. Opening November 12, the CCW Conference includes includes two full days of breakout sessions featuring the current topics of concern to media and entertainment professionals. Conference topics are selected by the CCW Advisory Board and are relevant for senior executives and technical management in television, broadband video/streaming media, film and motion pictures, and production and post, including pro audio. Not to be overlooked is the CCW Conference Keynote along with opening and closing General Sessions each day.

The SATCON Conference includes two full days of breakout Sessions programmed by the SATCON Advisory Board -- a mix of commercial, military and government professionals involved in the global communications market. Topics are selected by the Advisory Board and are relevant for satellite TV providers, radar and satellite operators, telco providers, and broadcasters seeking to gain efficiencies in satellite distribution. A Broadcast IT Summit will address the Changing Role of Information Technology in Today’s Digital Broadcast World. For over four years HITS has been working on the West Coast with the CIOs of the Hollywood studios to facilitate information exchange and collaboration in television, film and home entertainment. To address the IT challenges of the broadcast, network and advertiser communities, the Society is launching its New York chapter on November 13, 2014, by presenting a program of panels, keynotes and exhibitions at CCW.

Visitors to the CCW Post-Production Theater can explore the latest technologies, techniques and workflows transforming production and post-production for film, video and television. Experts will relate experiences and techniques that bring their creative visions to life. The Streaming OTT Theater will showcase the ever changing landscape of online video. It will be a learning opportunity to gain insight on all things second screen, from multi-platform content creation, to mobile and OTT delivery, to regulation and consumer demands. A content creators party happens November 12, from 21:00-23:00 at Marquee NY for fun and networking. Enjoy complimentary entry with the show badge and an open bar compliments of RED and Atomos.

Florida Media Market in Miami was created to be an outlet for South Florida independent Filmmakers to meet with executives, producers, production companies, distributors, TV Networks and Stations that are actively seeking content, either by producing, co-producing or purchasing. FMM is also structured to serve as a meeting place where new filmmakers can gain valuable insight from industry veterans and established companies through its conference sessions. It has created both an annual market, and an online platform, for buyers and sellers of film, documentary, television, and new media content to gather in order to teach, learn, inspire and do business together. This year’s conference theme is “Connecting the Multiplatform,” with the aim of easing the path of talented storytellers toward the audiences they aim to entertain. Entries to FFM are generally submitted through FilmFreeway.

Added into FFM programming, the Seventh Annual Florida Media Market Global Media Conference allows participants at FMM to pitch story concepts, mingle with buyers, distributors, and production companies, and work to bring their projects to desired levels of viability within the dynamic communities of film and television professionals. The Shift Awards gala on November 15 at the Colony Theatre is held to recognize programming that has started a positive, global shift in humanity. Feature films (85 minutes or longer) that have been both released and screened at least once between January 2012 and June 2014 are eligible and television programs 23-30 minutes for a half hour slot and 34-60 minutes for a full hour slot aired within the same time periods mentioned above are eligible. In a related local event, Goddess Mujer Woman (GMW) will be hosting it’s annual Brunch on November 15 in Coral Gables. GMW highlights and presents women's programming that is relevant to contemporary women's issues. The goal is to empower, educate, and relate to women through media. The GMW Brunch program will recognize "13 Women of Purpose" who have made an impact in the global media industry.

The Florida Media Market accepts Films, TV Series, Documentaries and Web Series in every stage of production, including finished and unfinished projects. “Sizzling Pitch” is a competition in which filmmakers can pitch their stories still in development with a visual aid or sizzle reel. There is also the traditional “Ready for Distribution,” a Pitching Competition in which selected filmmakers get a chance to pitch their ideas and/or Ready for Distribution projects before a panel of executives, distributors, and industry experts. This year's media market will run for four days through November 16.

Paris based Salon de la Photo is a gathering for photography brands, equipment manufacturers, importers, schools, and professional groups. It showcases the art of photography and the photography profession with the "Grandes Rencontres", the ZOOMS Awards for emerging photographers, special photography exhibitions, portfolio sessions, and technical presentations organized and presented by top professionals from the trade press. Comexposium is the organizer of Salon de la Photo. The convention, running November 13-17 will offer opportunities to learn about photography techniques: shooting, composition, lighting, post-editing, printing, landscape photography, wedding photography, wildlife photography, portraits. Meet representatives from schools, training organizations, and professional associations. Attendees can take part in technical workshops and learn to use photo editing software. 

A special retrospective exhibition of photographer Sabine Weiss who began taking pictures in 1942 at the age of 18 is a convention centerpiece. It is also to mark the occasion for her 90 birthday. Known for her "humanist" body of work exemplified by the photography on exhibit, the Salon's exhibit will reveal Sabine Weiss at work, by displaying the archives that reveal different aspects of her activity over many decades: fashion, advertising, commissions, reportage work, and so on. Additionally, nine professional photographers, half a century younger and with the same passion for recording life, will pay tribute to Sabine Weiss with a photograph inspired by one of her own works. They will exhibit photographs shown alongside the photographs of her's they have selected. And in another planned exhibition titled "Stars Au Firmament D'Hollywood," Maison Européenne de la Photographie has put together an exhibition of 26 portraits of legendary Hollywood stars from the 1930s to the 1960s. The works of photographers, including: Richard Avedon, Walter Carone, George Hurrell, Jean-Loup Sieff, Raymond Voinquel, will be featured.

This year, again, The Salon de la Photo presents ''Les Grandes Rencontres", an opportunity for everyone to meet major photography professionals and take a behind-the-scenes look at their work. Photographers available for meetings will include: Léo Delafontaine, Nicola Lo Calzo, Mathilde de L'Ecotais, Laurent Millet, Alain Keler, Claudine Doury, Yann Arthus-Bertrand, Catherine Henriette, Mohamed Bourouissa, Gérard Rancinan, Hans Silvester, Luc Choquer, Marie-Paul Nègre, Yves Marchand et Romain Meffre, Renaud Corlouer, AFP / MYOP, Stéphane Couturier. Sabine Weiss, the focus of a special convention retrospective, will be available for a meeting November 17. For the fifth year running, Salon de la Photo will award the "Public ZOOM" and the "Photo Press ZOOM" to two outstanding photographers. The Zooms awards paying tribute to emerging photographers, and nine chief editors of photography magazines have each selected an emerging professional photographer that is either a French national or living in France).

Entering its 27th year, Live Design International (LDI) is a Vegas tradeshow and conference serving live design professionals in North and South America. It attracts attendees working in theatre, concerts, houses of worship, corporate presentations, clubs, theme parks, and any other live venue. More than 300 exhibiting companies provide attendees with live demos and the opportunity for face-to-face discussions about equipment, including lighting, sound, projection, and special effects. Backstage Las Vegas is the November 17 opening special event for LDI2014 produced in conjunction with Stagecraft Institute of Las Vegas. The exclusive event is an insider's look at what goes into the making of the Las Vegas show scene, going behind the scenes to meet creative and technical teams that put it together. On the tour stop is Le Rêve - The Dream, as well as taking in rock band, KISS, live at The Joint (Hard Rock Hotel). Then there are club tours, a rigging demo in Le Rêve's aqua theatre, and a ride and tour of the new High Roller soaring over the Vegas landscape.

LDI will conduct its 2014 Las Vegas Club Crawl to explore the state-of-the-art design and technology of some of the top night spots in Vegas. Tour guides will point out the gear from the lighting rigs to the sound systems and DJ/VJ stations as well as the designed interiors of the clubs. Tour venues included in the crawl are: Drais Beach Club (The Cromwell), Hakkasan (MGM Grand), Light (Mandalay Bay), Life (SLS), Rose.Rabbit.Lie (Cosmopolitan), TAO (The Venetian). LDI and the University of Florida School of Theatre and Dance have entered the second year of a program that allows undergraduate and graduate students from around the world to select from four professional training courses at LDI2014 and future events. The courses carry university credits that would be accepted by the students’ home institution towards degree programs. Topics that will be covered include: Entertainment Rigging Fundamentals, Electrics Hands-On Workshop for Production Electricians and Technicians, Projection 101 - The Basics, Entertainment Rigging Fundamentals.

Electronic Dance Music is a prominent feature at LDI2014 stemming from an arranged partnership between LDI and BPM—the UK’s leading producer of EDM trade shows. There are planned live demos and performances in the EDM@LDI pavilion on the show floor, plus special sessions led by Ean Golden of DJ TechTools and technical training by Dubspot. To make this happen, LDI partnered with three separate entities in Electronic Dance Music: Marked Events, which produces BPM Europe's largest trade show dedicated to the DJ market; DJ TechTools, a high traffic global DJ website that will promote EDM@LDI to its dedicated fan base of 600,000 aspiring and professional DJs from around the world; and Dubspot, the electronic music and DJ school, will help with programming content. Live Design International 2014 comes to a close November 23.

Generally acknowledged as Australia's version of the USA's Comic-Con, Supanova Pop Culture Expo stages in one expo the worlds of comic books, animation/cartoons, science-fiction, pulp TV/movies, toys, console gaming, trading cards, fantasy, entertainment technology, books, internet sites, fan-clubs, and cosplay (cos-tume role-play). But unlike Comic-Con, Supanova is a sprawling event taking place on many dates and across many regions of Australia from November of 2014 through June 2015. The upcoming Supanova dates and events are as follows: Brisbane 2014, November 28-30; Melbourne 2015, April 10-12; Gold Coast 2015, April 17-19; Sydney 2015, June 19-21; Perth 2015, June 26-28. In one of the very marquee events planned this year for the expo, Syfy network and Supanova will present Battlestar Galactica: 10 Years On - with appearances by Jamie Bamber – Lee “Apollo” Adama and Tahmoh Penikett – Karl “Helo” Agathon. These stars will share stories of their time on Galactica and discuss the show’s legacy. Syfy will also be bringing the Syfy FanCam 360 to Adelaide and Brisbane for the first time, giving fans and cosplays the opportunity to create clips.

In more scheduled appearances, Jack Gleeson, who played Joffrey Baratheon in the television series, Game of Thrones, joins the November line up that includes veteran voice actor, Peter Cullen, best known as the voice of Optimus Prime of the Transformers movie franchise. Both actors will appear at the expos in Adelaide and Brisbane. Other noteworthy actors slated for the November 2014 expo events include: Jeremy Shada – the voice of Finn the Human in Adventure Time, Grant Imahara – Mythbusters, Star Wars Epsiodes 1-3, John Jarratt – Wolf Creek 1 and 2, StalkHer, Gus Sorola – Co-founder of Rooster Teeth and Private Dick Simmons in Red Vs Blue, Jordan Cwierz – Creator and animator of Rooster Teeth Animated Adventures, Alan Tudyk – Firefly, Serenity, Frozen, Suburgatory, Transformers Dark of the Moon, Robert Knepper – Prison Break, Heroes, Stargate Universe, and the upcoming Hunger Games.

In addition to these dates, Supanova Pop Culture Industries and Brisbane Powerhouse are staging a party - "New Year's Geek" - to open the new year of 2015, featuring  popular pop-culture characters. Local band, Boss Fight, performs versions of classic video game tunes. DJs, trivia, retro arcade games, film screenings, a cosplay prom and free refreshments are also included. At another separate, but related Supanova event, on February 7 in Brisbane, J.J. Abrams’ Star Trek™ will be projected in high definition on a big screen while Academy Award-winning composer Michael Giacchino’s score is performed live by the Queensland Symphony Orchestra.

Rounding out Supanova featured events, there will be informative masterclasses, panels and workshops to attend. The new Imagineer’s Playground is an interactive part of the event dedicated to creative arts, focusing on fans and enthusiasts of special FX, model makers, prop builders and costume designers. Despite the array of events and activities, one of the more anticipated activities of Supanova Pop Culture Expo are the Cosplay competitions that give individuals and groups a chance to dress up (and model or act on stage) as their favorite costumed characters. Supanova Pop Culture Expo is organized by Supanova Pop Culture Industries.

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 includes Avengers comic strip cover by Arthur Adams, on view at Supanova Pop Culture Expo and Photography expo, Salon de la Photo in Paris. 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 event dates are curtailed due to the holidays, however: Siggraph Asia takes place in Shenzen, The International Music Festival Conference 2014 arrives in a very qualified city for music -- Austin, the annual Jingle Mingle holiday networking gathering is once again in Winter Park, Asia TV Forum and Market opens in Singapore City, the London Film Awards will be in London, global content marketplace NATPE Miami opens in Miami, continental art show, Art Basel, lands in Miami this month.