June’s Global Media and Entertainment Industry Networking Events Announced

Formed in 1958 as the first trade association for a single genre of music, Country Music Association promotes Country Music mainly through its two signature events, CMA Music Festival and the CMA Awards. Through June 10, the CMA Music Festival will be held in Nashville, and it is filled with special events, parties and very interesting things to do. Here’s a run down of some of them: ABC TV returns for the 2012 CMA Musical Festival and takes a big hand to get the party started when it hosts The ABC Summer Block Party.

This year’s block party, hosted by Bradford Anderson (“General Hospital”) has entertainment for the entire family. Located on the historic Broadway strip in downtown Nashville, the party will include daily activities, fun games and exclusive screenings from some of ABC’s new fall pilots. And Nashville’s own Grilled Cheeserie Truck will be on site with sandwiches provided and inspired by ABC’s “The Chew.” There will be Q&A sessions and autograph signings held with the new fall series stars from “Nashville.” This year The Buckle is a destination for families to come and enjoy activities, games, live entertainment, demonstrations, free samples, autograph signings, and more.

prometheus
Prometheus, Ridley Scott’s socalled prequel to Alien, opened in North American theaters November 8.

Fan Alley will have many new activities and exhibits in 2012 including: The Chevrolet Ride and Drive, entertainment provided by the Ultimate Air Dogs, appearances and autograph signings by Country artists, live music, giveaways and prizes. Soleil Bella Beach in the Walk of Fame Park is a new highlight of this year’s Music Fest where visitors can hear a variety of artists, enjoy outdoor games and activities or relax on a sand beach. A new free feature for 2012, the BMI Tailgate Party, features a strong selection of BMI’s songwriters and artists warming up the audience before they enter LP Field for the Nightly Concerts. And highlighting the international appeal for Country music artists, 22 Country artists representing four different countries and territories including Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand and the United Kingdom have been announced for the 2012 Global Events showcases. The Festival is slated to be aired over the ABC television network on September 17, at 8/7 CENTRAL.

The 2012 Tony Awards goes live in New York City June 10, presented by The Broadway League and the American Theatre Wing to celebrate excellence in the theatre. Australian film actor Hugh Jackman, is receiving a Special Tony Award and will attend the night’s Awards ceremony. This year, The Tony Awards will include a live broadcast from the middle of the Caribbean Sea, where Royal Caribbean International’s Oasis of the Seas’ cast of Hairspray will perform a show-stopping number. In celebration of the Tony Season, the Tony Awards is partnering with Bloomingdale’s to present a Tony Award Costume Exhibit at Bloomingdale’s in New York City, now through June 18.

The 66th Annual Tony Awards will be held at the Beacon Theatre in New York City, airing live on at 8/7 pm C over CBS television network.

For international viewers, CABLEready, an independent distributor of television programming for media outlets worldwide, will distribute the Tony Awards telecast to theatre fans in four continents and over 45 countries around the globe including: Latin America – Film & Arts; New Zealand – Sky Network; Australia – Foxtel Bio channel; Japan – NHK; The Philippines – Velvet Channel; Armed Forces Television. Regardless of broadcast arrangements, anyone can watch live coverage of Tony Awards events via webcast at TonyAwards.com.

Banff World Media Conference and Festival, opens in Alberta running till June 13, putting the focus on Canada and international territories. There will be pre-arranged face to face meetings with industry decision makers, and opportunities for networking with potential partners from across the globe.

Also available, the BANFF Marketplace is structured to help visitors create new development and production opportunities. The program will feature keynotes from industry achievers, panel discussions, expert forecasts, Master Classes, critical case studies, key strategy sessions and more.

This year, Larry King, the well-regarded television and radio host, will be presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award. Also new in 2012, BANFF launches the Co-Production Business Market, that will form a business hub for entertainment and digital media executives producing or commissioning co-productions and co-ventures. Also, the nextMEDIA Demo Hub demonstrates itself as a forum for technology companies working in coding, app development, social media, game production, content management systems, location-based apps, cloud computing and other leading edge technologies. There will be a NetFlix Late Night After-Party on June 11, and conference wraps up with BANFF’s “Hell On Wheels” BBQ.

NewFilmmakers Los Angeles invites interested parties to their film screening series and after-party event in Hollywood on June 11 featuring a filmmaker lounge throughout the evening. Attendees will have the opportunity to meet the directors of screened films, the actors and crew, and take part in an audience Q&A. There are pre-receptions and after-parties for each program. Admissions to the programs includes the screening ticket and access to the filmmaker lounge. An after-party follows the last scheduled screening. NewFilmmakers LA at Sunset Gower Studios is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization designed to showcase innovative works by emerging filmmakers from around the world providing the Los Angeles community of entertainment professionals and film lovers with a constant surge of monthly screening events. NewFilmmakers LA provides a forum where filmmakers can be recognized for their contributions, have open audience discussions about their projects and connect with industry professionals for insight on distribution, production, acquisition and representation.

Now in its 18th year, North by Northeast Festivals and Conference (NXNE) is a Toronto festival destination for emerging artists and major-label headliners, for music filmmakers, and for digital interactive innovators. The Festival encompasses NXNE Music, NXNE Film, and NXNE Interactive, bridging the gap between technology and the arts. NXNE Music offers international, national and local acts at 50 official festival stages in downtown Toronto’s club district. A partial listing of scheduled acts includes: Oberhofer, Raekwon and Ghostface Killah, Matthew Good, Bad Religion, Bass Drum of Death, A Place To Bury Strangers, Archers Of Loaf, The Flaming Lips, so many more. NXNE Film showcases music-themed features, documentaries, shorts, and experimental films from around the world. NXNE Interactive (NXNEi) is a digital interactive media conference that brings together content-creating artists, tech entrepreneurs, digital marketing gurus, web business experts, and social media aficionados for workshops, presentations, and panels that explore the newest ideas that bridge the gap between creativity and the digital world.

The NXNE Record Show curated by Kops Records is a one day vinyl show featuring record dealers from across Ontario, a selection of label vendors, educational stations and on-site DJ entertainment. The Festival opening party (RSVP to [email protected]) is on June 12, and showcases Canadian music photographers. The free NXNE Official Day Party, “I Blame Yoko” will be on June 14. The Festival runs through June 17.

The New Media Film Festival opens for a two day run June 12 in Los Angeles, and at red carpet opening night, wine bar drinks and Hor Dourves will be served and recording artist Irina Maleeva entertains with her one-woman musical comedy show. For the extent of the festival a resident distribution partner is set to review NMFF submissions and online distribution outlets have offered to interview and showcase content that is relevant to their site’s genre. These partners include but are not limited to: Mingle Media, Stay Tuned TV and Gal Time. In addition to the media showcase, attendees have access to the New Media Marketing Table to distribute business cards and other promotional materials.

There will be a Networking spot to meet fellow New Media filmmakers, artists, producers, above and below the line crews, thought makers, implementers, distributors. In one scheduled June 13 New Media Panel, a group will focus on new avenues to monetize content, new platforms that are being launched to interact and monetize on a global scale. After the closing night film the New Media Film Festival Awards presentations are held to announce the winners.

According to the Hawaii Tourism Authority, the Maui Film Festival is one of only six “Signature Cultural Events” in Hawaii-and the only one that takes place on Maui. The Festival, running June 13-17, opens with the Twilight Reception at Capische? restaurant. Aside from film screenings in the outdoors under the stars, the festival is notable because of traditional events including: Opening Night Twilight Reception at Capische? Restaurant; Taste of Chocolate theme night at Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea, co-hosted by Variety; The 13th annual Taste of Wailea – sampling Wailea Resorts’ most celebrated chefs and restaurants – at the David Leadbetter Private Golf Academy on Wailea Gold and Emerald Golf Course; the Sunday Starry Night MoonDance dance party, complemented by libations courtesy of Maui’s own Organic Ocean Vodka and a beer selection too. There will be the Cosmic Closing Night Fashion Show and Poolside Party at Hotel Wallea.

Beginning June 16, the Los Angeles Indie Music/Film International Summit opens for two days of music, film, keynote speaker activities geared to: music producers, film producers, artist managers, agents, radio personalities, music and film executives, promoters, publicist, attorneys, songwriters, recording artists, unsigned artists, CD manufactures, distributers and record label representatives. There will be panels, workshops, presentations, live indie stage and major artist performances, one to one mentoring, J-Lounge kiosk (demo listening, EPK and videos) and an industry trade show.

The event celebrates new music with two days of showcases featuring over 100 original acts on three stages. Music industry rights association SESAC leads a workshop to educate songwriters and publishers on their right to be compensated for having their music performed in public. Another panel of Hollywood Casting Directors will discuss the secrets to landing the perfect role, and what they are looking for from actors at the audition. Summit organizer Jadar Entertainment’s mission is to showcase, promote, and market Independent artists, actors, producers, songwriters and record labels, etc. and their ideas. Both conference days end with after parties.

Presented as a seminar for the new business of music, the New Music Seminar in New York City will present sessions offering vital industry survival information, with every delegate receiving the NMS New Music Business Guidebook, that has promotion and marketing tips, contact information, forms and guidelines on how to succeed regardless of the kind of music. The NMS Networking Lounges placed throughout the seminar area facilitate business networking.

Attendees are encouraged to pre-arrange meetings in the comfort of the various NMS Lounges where they are able to eat, drink and make new contacts. NMS breakout sessions that are held throughout the day are designed to provide specialized knowledge and instructions on a variety of fields. Industry talent will be discussing new marketing opportunities, legal, publishing and songwriting, touring and other important areas in which to advance a career. A SESAC Songwriters Workshop will be held the afternoon of June 19 featuring hit songwriters talking about writing hits… where they get their ideas, how they get their gigs. Cabo Wabo is the official Tequila of the NMS Opening Night Party, open to NMS Delegates and their guests. NMS will run from June 17-20.

The Cannes Lions International Advertising Festival will be held in Cannes Cedex from June 17-23 celebrating creativity in commercial communications. In terms of international advertising awards, more than 24,000 entries from all over the world are showcased and judged at the Festival and winners take home the Lion trophy presented at four award ceremonies throughout the week.

The Festival is also a global meeting place for advertisers, advertising and communication professionals. Delegates from 90 countries attend seven days of workshops, exhibitions, screenings, master classes and high-profile seminars by notable industry leaders. To celebrate its 10th anniversary Grupo ABC based in Latin America brings President Clinton to Cannes Lions to talk about how advertising can help build a better world. Academy Award-nominated director Ridley Scott (Prometheus) leads a talk on new standards for how brands tell their stories to capture the imagination of audiences.

From Suntec, BroadcastAsia 2012 International Conference, opening June 19-22, investigates the future trends and critical issues of next generation broadcasting, addressing pivotal issues of an industry confronting new and fast changing consumer dynamics and content shift typical in this era of “anytime, anywhere content demand.” It presents topics covering the facets of next generation broadcasting, broadband, hybrid platforms, multiple screens and multi-platforms to OTT delivery, terrestrial technology and file based workflow and asset management. Addressing the industry’s grasp regarding content production and creative development of film for big and small screen, the Conference showcases the latest developments and trends.

Both the conference and masterclass workshops seek to prepare attendees with new knowledge and raise their production skills up to the next level to meet today’s demand for creative programming across various screen sizes. A new OTT Feature Zone is set up for exhibitors such as Axon, EVS, XOR Media (formerly Seachange Broadcast), Switch Media and Magna to present a special showcase on how broadcasters and media producers can deliver content to a new generation of consumers, who view content on a variety of devices like PCs, tablets, smartphones or netbooks.

Opening June 19, Palm Springs International ShortFest is a seven day competitive festival screening approximately 300 films from 40 countries in a series of 90 minute programs. All films submitted whether screened in the Festival or not are eligible to participate in the Market which consists of a video film library and 20 viewing stations open to sales agents, distributors and other industry representatives.

The Festival has twenty competitive categories with prize money, film stock and production services valued at over $70,000 to be awarded for first and second places in addition to a “Best of Festival” award and a “Future Filmmaker” award. All first place winners in the Live Action and Animation categories will automatically become eligible for nomination consideration by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences in the short film categories. Parent of the festival – The Palm Springs International Film Society – is a 501(c)(3) charitable non-profit organization whose mission is to cultivate and promote the art and science of film through education and cross-cultural awareness.

A 3D and Virtual Reality Expo (IVR) in Tokyo showcases a platform for research and expertise groups, including users from manufacturing industries, amusement industries, broadcasting stations, image producing companies, content production companies, telecommunication companies, public offices, universities and research centers who are looking to buy solutions for their businesses, to try out and experience the latest 3D technology and high definition image technology used in the latest 3D products and technologies (ultra-high definition displays, AR, and 3D broadcasting). The exhibited technologies will include: High-Definition Displays: 4K x 2K Displays, HDTVs, LED Displays, Plasma Displays, Other Related Products: 4K Digital Image Recorders, 4K Digital Image Projectors, Hi-Definition Projectors, High-Performance Monitors, Image Input Boards, 3D Sound Systems. Industrial Virtual Reality Expo opens June 20 for a two day run.

Founded in 2010 by film producers Jonathan Vieira and Giuseppe Cioccarelli, the third edition of the Aruba International Film Festival is rededicating itself to a two-fold purpose: advancing worldwide understanding of Aruba and its people, and encouraging emerging Caribbean filmmakers by offering them hands-on training from accomplished professionals. Within the Festival’s Caribbean Spotlight Series’s, the “Aruba Flavor” competition highlights and rewards the work of talented local filmmakers and forms a platform for networking opportunities with fellow Caribbean peers and industry professionals from around the world.

The AIFF Film Lab workshop, entitled 96 HOURS, will provide intensive hands on training in the filmmaking process over a four-day period of time during the festival. And there will be an acting class coordinated by arts education director Maureen Heffernan, who will lead students through a series of exercises to totally embrace a role, as well as to learn the technical requirements of working on a film set. The Festival will be casting for an international photo shoot (paid) and is looking for actors, actress, children and extras. The Casting will be on June 24 the whole day and on June 25 from 10:30 am – 1 pm, taking place at the Paseo Herencia. The photo shooting itself is from the June 28 till July 4. As a special musical feature, Marc Antony performs in concert June 23, at the AIFF Harbor Arena.

Dance Camera West’s annual dance film festival opens June 27-30 in Los Angeles, and presents an international selection of dance media and special screening events at venues throughout southern California. Dance Camera West embraces dance media in any dance style or genre. Categories include: screendance, experimental movement based film, short films, features, documentary, installations, and interactive dance media. The festival presents its first “Dirty Dancing Dance-A-Long” on June 22 in partnership with Los Angeles Film Festival and Grand Performances. Free pre-show salsa lessons and professional dancers on stage will perform along with the film. The closing evening program will consist of the Hammer Evening Doc of “Wayne McGregor Going Somewhere,” a creative documentary film by Catherine Maximoff, and the evenings program leads into the Awards Reception.

Established in 2003, IN THE PALACE is an International festival dedicated to short films under 45 minutes in length. This year it opens June 29 to run into July 7 in the Black Sea town of Balchik. The Festival aims to present and contribute to the development of contemporary film art in Bulgaria, Europe and the world, creating a favourable environment and platform for young filmmakers and established professionals. Traditionally, the Festival’s core are the International and National competitive programmes, accompanied by various special screenings. Filmer Forge is the business centre of the festival.

Each year producers, distributors, buyers and sales agents gather to meet and network with fellow industry colleagues at the festival. Filmer Forge includes four resource areas: the Exhibition Hall with market stands, business meetings, presentations, Media Rendez Vous; Pitching sessions – that will include the awarding of 10 financial grants; Market Video Library of short films and a database of filmmakers, decision makers, festivals, broadcasters (on-line industry guide); Market Screenings. The town of the festival (Francis Ford Coppola spent 11 days at the palace shooting scenes of ‘Youth Without Youth’.) has a history spanning over almost 3000 years. During that period it was known as the ancient Greek colony of Krouni, the Greek and subsequently Byzantine fortress of Dionyssopolis, mediaeval Bulgarian town Karvouna and the Ottoman and later again Bulgarian town of Balchik. One of the most interesting places in the vicinity of the town is the architectural park complex “The Palace” (venue of the festival), built by the Italian architects Amerigo and Agustino within the period 1920-1936. The town has also been the former summer residence of the British princess and Romanian Queen Marie of Edinburgh.

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 which now has a language translation button to convert page contents into most widely used international languages. This month’s photo composite is of Prometheus which opened in North American theaters June 8 as Director Ridley Scott’s so-called prequel to the 1979 Alien.

The cast for Prometheus includes: Charlize Theron, Michael Fassbender, Noomi Rapace, Guy Pearce, Patrick Wilson, Benedict Wong, Sean Harris, Idris Elba. Gazing ahead into the next month, be aware that… International Television Festival will be in Reseda, Downtown Film Festival L.A. will be in Los Angeles. The Sun Camera Action Conference and Workshop Film Cruise sets sail from Miami. Trade show for the ticketing and live entertainment industry, Ticket Summit, will be in Las Vegas. Cinema India Expo will be in Mumbai. Paris Manga & Sci-Fi Show will be in Paris. Broadcast & Film Africa will be in Nairobi.