Media, Entertainment and Performing Arts Industry News and Events for March 2012

The Byron Bay International Film Festival in New South Wales is strong on supporting independent filmmakers at all stages of their careers.

Situated in a sub-tropical enclave with nearby world class beaches, the festival running until March 11, will likely stick to the blueprint of last year’s agenda that featured 35 public screenings in Byron Bay with introductions and Q & A sessions by attending filmmakers, free workshops and panels, industry networking functions, school screenings, family-friendly films, free showcases of experimental films and audio-visual experimental film performances.

There is a balcony bar for the audience to mix with filmmakers, and extra public sessions held in neighbouring Lismore. 206 films were screened from 35 countries of which 72 were Australian films at last year’s festival. The Gala Red Carpet Opening and Closing Nights affairs are always highly anticipated with catered parties that attract full houses.

The San Luis Obispo International Film Festival will have many special events for its festival goers to take part in when it opens March 7-11. And it will actually utilize San Luis Obispo’s Hearst Castle to relive Hollywood heydays of the 1920s and ’30s for one night at the “Hollywood to Hearst Castle” event on March 9.

Photographer Timothy White, the recipient of the inaugural SLOIFF Spotlight Award, will start off the evening’s festivities by flying onto Hearst Ranch’s private airfield just as William Randolph Hearst’s high-profile Hollywood friends once did.

This year, there is a focus on women filmmakers and issues. And there is a “Hollywood and Vines” series, pairing great classics with local wine and food.

Next, be prepared to join the sing-along while enjoying the 1958 musical classic, ‘South Pacific’ on the big screen at the Galaxy Theatres for another special event. Wear a costume and compete for prizes at the reception in the VIP Lounge (age 21+) or just come for the film which will be screened in the VIP and regular theatres (all ages welcome).

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

In Austin, the much anticipated SXSW 2012 gets underway this year opening March 9 running through March 18.

New festival offerings from last year that won praise will be given greater visibility this year, such as the combined SXSW Trade Show for the Creative Industries, which draws from all the events – Interactive, Film and Music.

Another show feature, the SXSW Block Party, is modeled after a traditional pub crawl. Instead of bars, SXSW Registrants move between participating exhibitors for complementary refreshments and networking.

SXsaloon plays host to the Trade Show Happy Hour at 5 pm daily, and is generally used as a place to get a drink, meet friends, plan a schedule, and just recharge before hitting the trade show floor again.

Next Stage is the destination for entertainment on the first floor. Like a variety show, this stage hosts panelists, filmmakers, comedians, and musicians, and delivers a sample of all that is happening during SXSWeek. To enhance the networking experience, SXSW created a dedicated meeting space in the business epicenter of SXSW, the Trade Show Meet Up Pavilion.

A First-timers Guide to the SXSW Experience is available online for download.

The Universal Martial Arts Film Festival (UMAFF) will be held March 17 in Paris, showcasing films that explore the martial practice, philosophy, aesthetic and spirituality.

The Universal Martial Arts Film Festival (UMAFF) encourages an emerging generation of filmmakers whose films treat various aspects of the field of the martial arts; those of the arts of combat and the arts of health. The purpose being to collect and to protect the collective memory, to educate the public, to share and to pass on the knowledge.

Short demonstrations of Wushu, Aikido, Tai Chi, and other forms, take place between each projection. At the end of the screenings, all viewers can vote for the People’s Choice Award. An evening cocktail reception will close the festival.

Hollywood Shorts Film Festival is a monthly screening program that celebrates the outstanding achievements in short filmmaking and animation from both U.S. and international directors and their creative teams.

This month, screenings run in Hollywood from March 18-20. Over 300 short and animated films are programmed year round, and submissions are accepted year round.

Hollywood Shorts began on October 9, 1998 at a popular live music venue in Los Angeles called “the Joint.” The overflowing crowd packed the house, and filled the sidewalk outside watching films by David Fickas and Mark Kelly, Frank Tota, and animation by Joe Pearson.

The annual Spotlight Screenings began as part of our monthly series. These events include: African American ShortsFest at The American Cinematheque in February, Women Filmmakers Shortsfest in Spring, Animation Shortsfest in the Fall.

Interested parties can join Variety and the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Foundation in an exploration of how traditional television revenue models are being forced to adapt to the new disruptive technologies, and then to identify ways to continue to produce quality content and adjust financially to the new reality. Attending the 2012 TV Summit which will only be for one day on March 20 in Los Angeles will also benefit the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Foundation’s wide range of educational activities.

Established in 1959 as the charitable arm of the Television Academy, the Television Academy Foundation is behind such programs as the Archive of American Television, the Student Internship Program, the College Television Awards, the Fred Rogers Memorial Scholarship and the TV Faculty Seminar.

An evening cocktail and networking reception closes the day’s activities.

Bloomberg BNA | CITE, formed specifically to educate U.S. and foreign multinationals and companies engaged in international business on the tax, legal and accounting aspects of doing business overseas, presents the International Film and TV Finance Summit in Los Angeles, March 22-23.

The Summit focuses on obtaining finance and tax incentives to get independent and studio films made, distributed and marketed in today’s market place. In brief, the Summit agenda will: