WebMovieNow today announced the launch of a high-quality video-on-demand service powered by DivX® technology. This new addition to the WebMovieNow.com service allows users to download premium video titles in the DivX® format in addition to the existing option to view content using Windows Media. This enhancement also extends the compatibility of WebMovieNow content to the Mac OS.

WebMovieNow.com, an innovative video-on-demand site devoted to building a creative community, was recently created and launched by a group of filmmakers. Through the WebMovieNow.com service, artists will have the ability to exchange ideas and discover innovative ways to sharpen their craft, while allowing the audience to discover and download a variety of compelling video content.

WebMovieNow.com offers a unique assortment of products and services that differentiate it from other video-on-demand websites. The service offers many exclusive titles that cannot be digitally purchased on any other site. While other video-on-demand sites place strict limitations on the amount of content users can stream, per WebMovieNow.com offers streaming access with no limits.

With the addition of DivX technology, WebMovieNow users will be able to download secure, high-quality films and easily playback their content on any DivX Certified device. Over 100 million DivX Certified devices have shipped into the market from major manufacturers, including DVD players, mobile devices and more.

Indie Pioneer Award
Peter Broderick - President of Paradigm Consulting, which helps filmmakers and media companies develop strategies to maximize distribution, audiences, and revenues.

Outstanding Service Award to the KC Film Community
Heather Laird - Wright-Laird Casting

Heartland Division
These films were made by filmmakers who live in Missouri or Kansas. Students may be at a school any where, but must still have parents/guardians in Missouri or Kansas. All films are shorts, unless otherwise noted.

BEST DOCUMENTARY – Henry D. Remple: Finding Hope in Troubled Times; Linda Haskins, director

BEST EXPERIMENTAL – Themes & Variations for the Naked Eye; Caitlin Horsmon, director

NARRATIVE - Honorable Mention – The Drifter; Jeffrey Nicholson, director

BEST NARRATIVE – Orbits; Rosie Percival, director

STUDENT- Honorable Mention – Grandpa, I Have a Question, Franco Leng, director

BEST STUDENT - The Lutheran, Brad Bosley, director

BEST FEATURE – First Impersonator; Chad Freidrichs, director

US/International Division
DOCUMENTARY - Honorable Mention  – Life is Marbelous, Mike Wolff, director

BEST DOCUMENTARY – Punam, Lucian Muntean, director

BEST EXPERIMENTAL – Themes & Variations for the Naked Eye; Caitlin Horsmon, director

BEST NARRATIVE – Saving Mom & Dad; Kartik Singh, director

BEST ANIMATION – Boar Attack; Jay White, director

CinemaJAZZ
(winners become part of the permanent collection of the Mutual Musicians Foundation and American Jazz Museum)

SHORT JAZZ - Honorable Mention

Jungle Jazz: Public Enemy #1; Frank Fitzpatrick, director
18th & Vine; Adam Brumback, director
BEST JAZZ SHORT – Song of Pumpkin Brown; Brad Jayne, director

BEST JAZZ FEATURE – Trying to Get Good-The Jazz Odyssey of Jack Sheldon; Penny Peyser & Doug McIntyre, directors

Best of Fest Short Film
The Lutheran, Brad Bosley, director - WINNER of $5000 Cash Prize

Jurors:

Susan Petersen, VP of Global Sales for Shorts International

Meaghan Brander, Programming Coordinator, Toronto International Film Festival Group

Chel White, international award winning filmmaker of short animation and experimental films

NOTE: Ms. Petersen is seeking to acquire at least ten of the short films in competition this year.

What is the KC Jubilee?
We celebrate the creativity and hard work of filmmakers from the Kansas City region—and around the world. The 2008 festival will take place at the Tivoli Cinemas and Westport Coffee House Theater, April 16-20, 2008. 

The Jubilee has something for everyone. It is:
• A Festival of film: Moviegoers of all ages will enjoy the wide range of films to be shown over the five-day period.
• A Competition: More than 350 films were submitted last year. Preliminary judging will identify approximately 100 films to be shown during the festival. Professional filmmakers will come to Kansas City to judge these films during the festival and more than  $20,000 cash and prizes will be distributed at the Awards Ceremony.
• A Conversation: The chance to interact with filmmakers as they discuss their works after some screenings and at the many public receptions that take place.
• A Learning Opportunity: Participate in workshops and listen to panels as they discuss the craft of filmmaking.

More on http://www.kcjubilee.org/ 

The 3rd TICTFF competition received over 365 entries from around 41 countries. 25 nomination titles have been selected for the first heat out. We sincerely congratulate the nominated films and we also appreciated for the efforts in all applications who participated in the 3rd TICTFF competition.

The nominated films were screened during the Festival.
The Awarding Ceremony took place in Taipei on April, 8th 2008.

Winner List

Best Dramatic Feature
I am
The film presents a crucial and merciless world children are going to face. However, love and friendship will help them to go through the crisis.

Best Animation
Simple lines convey a rich emotional story. Even though we are ordinary human beings our boring lives can be transformed by love and become colorful, allowing us to be inspired by innumerable possibilities.

Best Documentary
I am in a Hand Puppet Troupe
By documenting the students in the hand puppet troupe, the film highlights the conflict between the cultural heritage and the pressure for academic excellence. The presentation is natural and thorough.

Best TV Program
Journey Through the Palace Museum
Beauty Contest
A universal subject depicted at a high artistic level imagery that offers an excellent illustration of the director’s vision.

Best Film From Taiwan
The Secret in the Wind
It transforms the traditional approach toward the issue of life and death, and offers a new way for children to connect to this deep topic. Young people in the audiences can experience its sincerity and innocence while being deeply touched by the fragility of life.

Best TV Program From Taiwan
Full Record of Taiwan
The Edible Fish with Poison for Fisherman in the Past

This unique program gives children important insights into some of the most beautiful and enduring aspects of the Hai Nui. Through the host’s sincere respect and admiration, the program fosters awareness and appreciation for the sacrifices and sills of the older generation and offers children a special connection to a little-known part of Taiwanese culture.

The nominated films were:
Dramatic Feature

Red Like the Sky | Italy
The Secret In The Wind | Taiwan
I am | Poland
Mid Raod Gang | Thailand
Paul's Grandpa | Germany
Animation

Lavatory-Lovestory | Russia
Bean Sprout | Taiwan
About A Bold-headed Princess | Russia
In Memorian | France
Jackanory - The Magician of Samarkand | UK
Documentary

The white Planet | France
I Am in a Hand Puppet Troupe | Taiwan
Going on 13 | USA
Please Vote for Me | China
Arctic Tale | USA
TV Program

Mystery Hunters－Stonehenge | Canada
Kids on Q | Philippines
Journey Through the Palace Museum－Beauty Contest | Taiwan
Have Fun with Art－Colorful ! Matisse ! | Taiwan
Leonart－The Fire | Spain
Taiwan Award

Taiwan Film

Bean Sprout
Boy & shoes
Father's Finger
The Secret In The Wind
I Am in A Hand Puppet Troupe
Taiwan TV Program

Journey Through the Palace Museum－Beauty Contest
Have Fun with Art－Colorful ! Matisse !
Fruity Pie－Let's Play Together
Full Record of Taiwan－The Edible Fish with Poison for Fisherrman in the Past
Our Island－Granny Banyan Needs Your Help

The Hollywood Reporter today unveiled a wholesale overhaul of its iconic brand, including a redesigned look and format for its print and digital publications, a newly-enhanced editorial approach, an expanded range of coverage and analysis, and new industry data exclusive to The Nielsen Company.

More than just a cosmetic change, this brand transformation uniquely positions The Hollywood Reporter to super serve a wider range of today's global entertainment markets, which are increasingly technology-savvy and data-driven, with a more readable, insightful and actionable business resource across all platforms.

"Today is a new day at The Hollywood Reporter and one of the most exciting times in its 78-year history," said Eric Mika, Publisher of The Hollywood Reporter. "The re-launch of our brand is the culmination of a year-long drive to position the Reporter as the leading source of timely and actionable news, information and data about the creation, financing, production, marketing and distribution of entertainment content in all its forms, on all platforms.

Mika continued, "Backed by key partners within The Nielsen Company, such as Nielsen EDI, the comprehensive changes we are introducing -- from cover to content to approach -- reflect the changing needs of our audience and will allow us to drive the discussion about the business of entertainment for the 21st century."

"This brand redesign is the result of our ongoing efforts to create a new Reporter, one that is more relevant, accessible and impactful for our global audiences on every platform," said Elizabeth Guider, Editor of The Hollywood Reporter. "Our new design and editorial approach will make it easier for print and online audiences to access the data, information and insight they rely upon each day for mission-critical decision making. Our content will also be enhanced by expanded and industry data that's exclusive to The Nielsen Company, which is a value-add that none of our competitors can match."

The new Reporter features a number of innovative changes that not only make it more engaging and easier to read, but also give audiences new ways of absorbing and interpreting round-the-clock coverage and analysis filed by more than 60 reporters and editors around the globe. Some of the new features and benefits include:

-- A bold, graphic and reader-friendly design that features a more comprehensive cover and cleaner logo;

-- More seamless and contiguous copy flow with fewer story breaks as well as more clearly-defined, dedicated sections.

-- More robust, user-friendly chart data exclusive to The Nielsen Company, including weekly Top 40 Box office data and other entertainment consumption trends, complemented by expert external and internal analysis; and

-- Region-specific content, supplementary digital coverage of print stories, and more than 250 visually-compelling special issues throughout the year.

The Hollywood Reporter is also revamping its digital portal at THR.com with highly-improved navigation; dedicated microsites for key areas of coverage; expanded editorial coverage, opinion, and exclusive blogs; and a new, dedicated technology section accessible at THR.com/tech. Other new changes online include:

-- Streamlined advertising integration that appeals to the growing sophistication of readers and advertisers;

-- The debut of four channels of THR online video - "Boxoffice Tally," "News," "Exclusive Interviews," and "Festival Dailies" - accessible via the THR.com homepage media player and the THR Network homepage at THR.com/video; and

-- The premiere of the "Hollywood Live Feed" blog, a daily take on television ratings, news, video, analysis and Q & As with TV titans, as well as the exclusive "Daily Feed" morning ratings email update.

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A letter from the fest director:

The II Edition of Drake International Film Festival (DIFF 2008) is organised by Drake Entertainment Foundation and it take place at the Royal Palace of Caserta, near Naples (Italy) from June 21rd to 28th 2008.

It was born with the aim of promoting the knowledge and the diffusion of digital cinema (films shot digitally, films shot conventionally and subsequently developed digitally, etc..) as well as international independent cinema as expressions of art, entertainment and industry.

The II Edition of Italian Film Market (IFM 2008) will be organized during DIFF 2008 from June 24rd to 28th 2008 in order to favour an exchange of projects and film sales for international producers and sellers, and offering screening, meeting and business facilities.

Drake International Film Festival and IFM will be very happy for having to you like host (2 per Company):

Hotel **** + badge = 150,00 euro!!!

You have to pay only 150,00 euro for the badge, we provide for all participants accomodation for two person in the Crowne Plaza Hotel, free mini bus from Capodichino Airport (Neaples) to Caserta and all trips in Caserta are free.

Please visit our IFM 2008 web site!

http://www.italianfilmmarket.org/

Find our Location, Advertising Catalogue, Regulation 2008 and Entry Form.

Confirm asap your presence at IFM 2008!

If you have any questions do not hesitate to ask me!

We hope to receive your entry form as soon as possible and see you soon in Caserta!

Monika Tafuti

IFM director

54 feature films were selected among 1792 from 96 countries (up 11% over last year, and up 23% over 2 years).
The festival will once again offer a mix of veteran filmmakers returning to Cannes, along with a few VIP star studded red carpet events and the fresh blood and energy of newcomers.
Soderbergh, Eastwood, Wenders, Dardenne and many more previous award winners are competing for Golden Palm again.
Highly anticipated Indiana Jones, Woody Allen and Kung Fu Panda will bear the Hollywood Flag high on the steps of Palais dess Festivals. (PS our office are located at 5.10 in the media zone, come say hello to us!)

FILMS IN COMPETITION
"24 City," China, Jia Zhangke
"Adoration," Canada, Atom Egoyan
"Changeling," U.S., Clint Eastwood
"Che" ("The Argentine," "Guerrilla,") Spain, Steven Soderbergh
"Un Conte de noel," France, Arnaud Desplechin
"Daydreams," Turkey, Nuri Bilge Ceylan
"Delta," Germany-Hungary, Kornel Mundruczo
"Il Divo," Paolo Sorrentino, Italy
"Gomorra," Italy, Matteo Garrone
"La Frontiere de l'aube," France, Philippe Garrel
"Leonera," Argentina-South Korea, Pablo Trapero
"Linha de Passe," Brazil, Walter Salles, Daniela Thomas
"La Mujer sin cabeza," Argentina, Lucrecia Martel
"My Magic," Singapore, Eric Khoo
"The Palermo Shooting," Germany, Wim Wenders
"Serbis," Philippines, Brillante Mendoza
"The Silence of Lorna," U.K.-France, Jean-Pierre Dardenne, Luc Dardenne
"Synecdoche, New York," U.S., Charlie Kaufman
"Waltz With Bashir," Israel, Ari Folman

OUT OF COMPETITION
"Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull," U.S., Steven Spielberg
"Kung Fu Panda," U.S., Mark Osborne, John Stevenson
"The Good, the Bad, the Weird," South Korea, Kim Jee-woon
"Vicky Cristina Barcelona," U.S.-Spain, Woody Allen

MIDNIGHT SCREENINGS
"Maradona," Spain-France, Emir Kusturica
"Surveillance," U.S., Jennifer Lynch
"The Chaser," South Korea, Na Hong-jin

SPECIAL SCREENNGS
"Ashes of Time Redux," China, Wong Kar-wai
"Of Time and the City," U.K., Terence Davies
"Roman Polanski: Wanted and Desired," U.S.-U.K., Marina Zenovich
"Sangue Pazzo" (Crazy Blood), Italy-France, Marco Tullio Giordana

SCREENING OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE JURY
"The Third Wave," U.S., Alison Thompson

UN CERTAIN REGARD
"A festa da menina morta," Brazil, Matheus Nachtergaele
"Afterschool," Antonio Campos
"De Ofrivilliga," Sweden, Ruben Ostlund
"Je veux voir," France, Joana Hadjithomas, Khalil Joreige
"Johnny Mad Dog," France, Jean-Stephane Sauvaire
"La vie moderne (profiles paysans)", France, Raymond Depardon
"Los Bastardos," Mexico, Amat Escalante
"Milh handha al-bahr," (Salt of This Sea), Palestine, Annemarie Jacir
"O' Horten," Norway-Germany, Bent (...)

This year the 9th International Bitfilm Festival for Digital Film will kick start its worldwide Online Festival at the Stuttgart International Festival of Animated Film. Bitfilm is dedicated to films that use digital technology in a creative and innovative way: from 3D blockbusters and Internet Flash Movies to films shot in computer games and short clips for mobile devices. The main part of the Bitfilm Festival, which was founded in 2000 in Hamburg, will take place on the Internet: all films may be watched online.

The worldwide net community will decide on the winners of the Bitfilm Awards and the prize money of 10 000 Euro, endowed by the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg.

For five days Bitfilm will show highlights of its current competition at the Metropol Cinema in Stuttgart. It will also be present at the media conference fmx/08 at the Haus der Wirtschaft Stuttgart with screenings and talks. The Internet users may vote for the films from May 1 to July 1 under www.bitfilm.com/festival. The awards will be handed over at the Bitfilm Festival Hamburg, which will take place from July 9 to 12 at the Planetarium Hamburg. These are the award categories:

3D Space Award - computer-generated 3D animations

FX Mix Award - digitally composed hybrids which mix various techniques

Flash Award - animations made with Flash

Machinima Award - films shot live in computer games

Realtime Award - animations rendered on the spot

Mobile Award - short clips designed for mobile devices

The Stuttgart Festival of Animated Film was founded in 1982. It is one of the biggest and most important festivals for the animation film industry. More Information at: www.itfs.de

ANIMATOR 2008 Festival is the major event in a rich programme of occasions celebrating 60 Years of Polish Animation and the greatest celebration of animated cinema in Poland, competing with the most renowned animation festivals in the world.

ANIMATOR 2008 is an international competition with a GRAND PRIX of 50 000 PLN /ca. 14.000 Euros/. Films can be submitted for selection till May 10, 2008. An entry form    and regulations can be downloaded from www.animator-festival.com

ANIMATOR 2008 offers a wide range of screenings in cinemas as well as unusual locations. Many of them are accompanied by live music and most of them are free.

ANIMATOR 2008 offers retrospectives of renowned animators, premieres, concerts, meetings with artists, exhibitions, performances, workshops and a range of special and thematic screenings, including screenings with live music, outdoor screenings and screenings for children. Work by the following Polish animators will be shown: Walerian Borowczyk, Andrzej Czeczot, Witold Giersz, Zbigniew Lachur,     Zbigniew Rybczyński, Władysław Starewicz, Mariusz Wilczyński and retrospectives by the Hubley Family, Igor Kovalyov, Bady Minck, Julian Pappe, Bill Plympton,   the Quay Brothers, Harry Smith and others.

The Festival is organized under the honorary patronage of the Minister of Culture and National Heritage, sponsored by the City of Poznań and produced by Estrada Poznańska. Marcin Giżycki is it's Artistic Director.

For information about the festival programme, artists, films and competition visit the website: http://www.animator-festival.com/