Author and Variety contributor Scott Kirsner, the thought-provoking writer on the complex role of digital technologies in supporting advances in motion imaging and the new media industry, will deliver the keynote address at the Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers (SMPTE) Annual Tech Conference and Expo (October 27-29, 2009, Hollywood Renaissance Hotel, Hollywood, Calif.). The conference is one of the premier events in the media content and motion-imaging industries.
Kirsner’s address, “Innovation in Hollywood: A Love-Hate Relationship,” will take attendees on a fast-paced tour through cinema’s technological past, present and future. The address will take place at noon on October 27, 2009 in the Hollywood Ballrooms A, B, and C at the Renaissance Hollywood Hotel. For more detail about Kirsner’s keynote, please visit www.smpte2009.org
Among other works, Kirsner is the author of the books “The Future of Web Video” and “Inventing the Movies”. In addition to his contributions to Variety, his blog CinemaTech (http://cinematech.blogspot.com) is widely read throughout the entertainment industry and his column, Innovation Economy, appears in the Boston Globe every Sunday. His writing also has appeared in BusinessWeek, The New York Times, The Hollywood Reporter, The Los Angeles Times, and other publications.
“We are thrilled to have Mr. Kirsner as our keynote presenter for the Fall Conference, and bringing thoughtful perspectives regarding technology and cinema to our colleagues across the media content and motion imaging industries,” said Ken Fuller, President of SMPTE.
2009 Conference & Expo: Securing New Opportunities in the New Media Era
The 2009 Conference and Expo exemplifies SMPTE’s ongoing leadership in providing education and information on technologies — such as digital cinema, stereoscopic (3D) cinema and television, and advanced production and post production – that help expand critical industry revenue-generating opportunities.
This year’s event will feature numerous technical sessions, including those addressing key industry issues and opportunities. Led by industry experts, sessions include the latest developments in display technologies, digital monitoring and control, audio, networking, and stereoscopic (3D) content production and distribution. A complete description of the sessions is available at www.smpte2009.org/technical-sessions
The 2009 Conference and Expo also will host a rich variety of content and technology exhibitions, as well as activities and professional networking events – including a special reception and screening sponsored by Warner Bros. A special seminar – Advanced Media Workflows and MXF – produced by the Advanced Media Workflow Association (AMWA) will precede the Conference and Expo on Oct. 26.
Event sponsors for the 2009 conference and expo currently include Azcar, Photo Research, Inc., Sony, and Warner Bros.
Exposition Sponsorships, & Exhibit Space
Sponsorships and exhibit space for the Annual Tech Conference and Expo are still available. For more information, please visit http://www.smpte2009.org/sponsors and www.smpte2009.org/reserve-your-exhibit-space-now
About the Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers
The Oscar® Award-winning and Emmy® Award-winning Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers (SMPTE) is the leading technical society for the motion imaging industry. As an internationally recognized and accredited standards-setting body, SMPTE develops standards, recommended practices and guidelines, and spearheads educational activities to advance engineering and moving imagery. Since its founding in 1916, the Society has established close to 600 standards, including the physical dimensions of 35mm film and the SMPTE-time code. More recently, it crafted the Digital Cinema Standards, which paved the way for digital movie theaters. Underscoring SMPTE’s leadership in technology and standards development, the society received a prestigious technical Emmy® Award in January of 2009 for its work in the development of the MXF and GXF file formats. Headquartered in New York, SMPTE is comprised of engineers and other technical specialists, IT, and new media professionals, filmmakers, manufacturers, educators, and consultants in more than 65 countries. They are joined at SMPTE by more than 200 sponsoring corporations, principal players in content creation, production, and delivery for all platforms and in entertainment hardware and software. www.smpte.org
About the Advanced Media Workflow Association
The Advanced Media Workflow Association is an open, community-driven forum focused on the creation of timely, innovative, business-driven specifications and technologies for networked media workflows. www.amwa.tv
Laura Barber Phone: (503) 703-3638 Email Laura Barber
Asian World Film Festival Announces Dates, Opening and Closing Films, Special Programs, and Gala Awards Ceremony
The Asian World Film Festival (AWFF), Los Angeles' annual celebration of Asian filmmakers, announced the dates and highlights of its highly anticipated 10th anniversary edition. Taking place November 13-21, 2024, the festival will showcase a diverse range of new movies and special programs and celebrate Asian cinema’s legacy. Opening night will feature the critically acclaimed Korean drama, “A Normal Family,” while the Filipino romantic drama “Hello, Love, Again” is the closing film. Screenings will be presented at the Culver Theater, Culver City, November 13-20. A star-studded Closing Night Gala and Award Ceremony will be celebrated at the Directors Guild of America (DGA) complex November 21. Georges N. Chamchoum, AWFF Executive Director, said “We have chosen ‘heritage’ as this year’s theme to honor our first decade. This focus underscores AWFF's commitment to Asian cinema’s rich past as well as its ongoing efforts to champion contemporary and emerging Asian film.” OPENING AND CLOSING FILMS Directed by award-winning filmmaker Hur Jin-ho ("The Last Princess," "Happiness"), "A Normal Family" is a searing family drama that stars Sul Kyung-gu and Jong Dong-gun. Multi-layered yet accessible, the film was meticulously crafted in widescreen and premiered at the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival to critical acclaim. The heartwarming sequel to Philippine box office phenomenon "Hello, Love, Goodbye," "Hello, Love, Again" reunites director Cathy Garcia-Sampana ("The Hows of Us," "One More Chance") with stars Kathryn Bernardo and Alden Richards. The filmmaker, actors, and other cast members will attend the screening at the film’s festival debut. MAIN PROGRAM - IN COMPETITION AWFF's main... Read More