Schedules for Prominent News and Entertainment Events Announced Today

In 1995, as CineVic Society of Independent Filmmakers, joined with Origins Theatre to form the Victoria Film Festival, their vision was to establish an annual independent film event in Victoria with a worldwide reputation yet be an intrinsic part of the local community which would serve as a milestone in the careers of young artists and filmmakers it sought to embrace. As this year’s fesival unfolds, running through February 13, the festival’s Sips ‘n’ Cinema sessions follow film screenings at the Legacy Art Gallery, featuring an evening of wine tasting, hors d’oeuvres and engaging discussion of the film just screened.

A California Copyright Conference panel on February 8 titled, “Music En Espanol,” entails a discussion about the current state of, and the future opportunities in the Latin Music Market. Panelists include: BMI songwriter and producer Kike Santander, President, The Sixth House, Richard Bull, Vice President Marketing and A&R at Sony Latin Music, Nir Seroussi, CEO Nacional Records and Cookman International, Tomas Cookman, Creative Director, Peermusic. The evening is moderated by BMI’s Marissa Lopez and Eric Palmquist, Senior Manager Disney Music Publishing. The agenda includes cocktails, and dinner.

In Berlin, the International Film Festival Summit provides programs that inspire innovation, educate, and provide a critical understanding of how film festivals play a crucial role in showcasing independent film and foster growth in the arts and cinema. The mission of the International Film Festival Summit when it meets February 8-9 is to promote and strengthen the global film festival industry through education, networking, dissemination of information, and the cultivation of high standards for the industry.

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In February and March, innovative slap bass guitarist of CochinKerala, Jayen Varrma, joins drummer Jean Davoisne to tour Toulouse and other parts of France to give Master Classes and performances.

Casual Connect is produced by the Casual Games Association and is a place to learn more about an industry which entertains 300 million people each month. At Casual Connect Europe 2011, this year in Hamburg, February 8-10, attendees can learn all about games for iPhone, Social, Android, Flash, Browser MMO, and Download Games. There’s fun stuff too. Networking parties at Casual Connect this year will include: Pre-Funk & Badge Pickup, presented by GameCity Hamburg; WildTangent at Club Halo; The After Party @ Hoch 3, presented by Amazon Web Services; Mobile Mingle, presented by Exent; Social Mingle, presented by Zong Mobile Payments, to name some slated activities.

About 400 films are shown every year in Berlin as part of the Berlinale’s public programme, the majority of which are world or European premieres. Films of every genre, length and format are submitted. This year, the Berlinale is set for February 10-18, and is divided into different sections: big international movies in the Competition, independent and art-house productions in Panorama, movies specially for a young audience in the “Generation” section, German cinema productions in Perspektive Deutsches Kino, an in-depth look at films from “distant” countries and experimental forms in the Forum, as well as an investigation of diverse cinematic subjects in the Berlinale Shorts.

The European Film Market (EFM), the film trade fair integrated into the Berlinale, has evolved into a network of formal and informal connections, while headquartered at Martin-Gropius-Bau, in the immediate vicinity of the festival centre at Potsdamer Platz. As in years past, the Berlinale Talent Campus runs parallel to the Berlinale and works as an intensive week-long academy where creative professionals from every field of the film industry are available as speakers, teachers and partners for discussion.

The 53rd Annual Grammy Awards will take place in Los Angeles February 13, and will be broadcast in high definition and 5.1 surround sound on the CBS Television Network from 8-11:30 pm (ET/PT). The Grammys are a peer-presented award to honor artistic achievement, technical proficiency and overall excellence in the recording industry, without regard to album sales or chart position. During Grammy Week, there are many related activities leading up to the awards and are under the auspices of the The Recording Academy. In one such benefit event, the 21st Annual MusiCARES “Person of the Year” ceremony honors eight-time GRAMMY winner, GRAMMY Legend Award and Recording Academy Lifetime Achievement Award recipient Barbra Streisand. The MusiCares organization ensures that music people have a place to turn in times of financial, medical and personal need. The ceremony will be co-hosted by current GRAMMY nominees Bobby McFerrin and Esperanza Spalding.

At this year’s New Music Seminar, February 14-16 in Universal City, delegates will attend a program including keynote, five Movements, NMS 18 Minute Intensives and mentoring sessions with an incisive curriculum, redefining the music business from the artists’ perspective. Delegates all receive the New Music Business Guidebook filled with important do’s and don’ts by the experts, tips, information, forms and essential websites and blogs. The NMS exhibit area will provide additional resources in addition to the ongoing networking opportunities. Opening night party at The Music Box, “THE AFTER GRAMMY JAMMY,” is a cocktail reception followed by artist performances, which is then followed by the NMS Lounge Aftershow Networking Party.

At this year’s GSMA Mobile World Congress 2011 Barcelona, aside from usual convention agenda that accompanies a global event of this scale with 1,300 exhibiting companies, attendees are treated to an awards programme that highlights innovative mobile solutions and initiatives from around the world, and a larger App Planet – the new Centre of the Apps Universe. The Congress Party and Awards Celebration will once again be held at the National Palace in Montjuic, and this year will feature Grammy and Brit award-winning singer/songwriter Duffy and acclaimed indie rock band Metric, in a musical program hosted by British TV and radio presenter Jonathan Ross. Myriad will be hosting the After Awards Party immediately following the Congress Party and Awards Celebration, everything taking place from February 14-17.

The Brit Awards are the British Phonographic Industry’s annual pop music awards, generally held in London, this year on February 15. The awards began in 1977 and as annual event in 1982 under the auspices of the British record industry’s trade association. Arcade Fire, Mumford & Sons and Rihanna are slated for performances for this upcoming ceremony. A live broadcast will be carried over ITV1 from 8 pm. The BRIT Trust, supports young people in music and education. The awards will be hosted again this year by Goldierocks.

The Folk Alliance Music Conference in Memphis is an annual event that draws together music industry professionals from throughout the world to share ideas, network, and celebrate traditional music and dance. Starting February 16-20, there are over 50 workshops, panel discussions, and peer group meetings that address critical issues relating to presenting, promoting, and preserving folk and traditional music and dance. In addition, there are special events, such as the Folk Music and Business Awards, Lifetime Achievement Awards, networking receptions, official Performance Alley and private showcase performances, feature shows, exhibit hall, block booking sessions, Memphis Tours, and community outreach concerts.

Following a series of conferences in Los Angeles and New York City, the Indie Film Financing and Production Conference is coming to Miami from Februay 17-18. There will be guest speakers and an Exhibit Area where Film Industry Product and Service Companies will introduce their latest products and services to indie filmmakers. The Conference will make available the VIP “All Access” pass which includes a one-on-one pitch session with investors, workshops and the VIP After Party. Lori W. Wyman, C.S.A., who currently casts The Glades and Burn Notice, will discuss “Working with a Casting Director on a Budget Feature.” After party closes out all sessions.

International Short Film Festival of India (ISFFI) plans to showcase short films opening in Chennai, February 25-26, that celebrate diverse cultures, aesthetic traditions, social and political themes and other works that deal with novel themes, cutting edge technology and unusual visualization, traditional as well as those that differ in form, technique or content from mainstream formats. Festival organizer DBICA has pioneered Short Film Festivals in Tamilnadu from 1998 onwards, and presently organizes a host of festivals. The festivals provide a platform for short film makers and young media entrepreneurs to showcase their works, stimulating interaction, networking and publicity among those in the media industry and creating awareness to the public.

The upcoming February 27 Beverly Hills Wine Festival will benefit the Fran Drescher’s Cancer Schmancer Movement, a 501(c)3 organization. Among the featured activities is a ceremony honoring Vin Scully, the voice of Los Angeles Dodgers baseball. The mayor of Los Angeles will be in attendance to present Mr. Scully with a lifetime achievement award and a city certificate honoring Mr. Scully’s local achievements, dedication and contributions to the city of Los Angeles, This is a private wine, beer and spirit tasting event and there are no restaurants participating. Event organizer Talents Connection (talentsconnectionATyahoo.com) is searching for committed volunteers to assist with the event and take part in the fun and networking opportunities at the same time. Additionally, there will be an outdoor cigar lounge and music and entertainment performed by Raquel Ramos with Jeff Bauer on keyboard.

The 83rd Academy Awards ceremony to honor the best films of 2010 will be televised in the USA on the ABC television network, 8 pm EST / 5 pm PT, from the Kodak Theater in Los Angeles. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) does sanction events for charities all over to host official viewing parties during the 83rd Academy Awards ceremony. The events will feature the live broadcast of the Awards presentation and party favors of the local host. There are also free Oscar Week (tickets required) public events happening throughout the Los Angeles area leading up to the official ceremony date. This year, actors James Franco and Anne Hathaway co-host the ceremony, marking the first time for each.

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 languages. A look ahead into March event dates will help you prepare in advance for: the Videographer Awards in Arlington, PR News PR Measurement Conference, in District of Columbia; Createasphere/EXPLORE Entertainment Technology Exposition, formerly known as HD EXPO, in Universal City; Filmpalooza 2011, 48 hour filmmakers event folded into the Miami International Film Festival, SXSW Film Conference and Festival in Austin; The Innovator of Indian Slap Bass Guitar, from Cochin-Kerala, India, Jayen Varma, who will be in Toulouse region, from late February through March, joining with the area’s standout drummer, Jean Davoisne, owner of two drumschools and an Art Center in southern France, for masterclasses and performances. Past videos from the monthly video news summary are archived on the Free Home Video Showcase.