European Film Awards Has Announced Nominees
Sunday, November 05, 2006
Now that all the big festivals are wrapping up for the year, it's time to look at who is getting awards. The nominees for the 19th Annual European Film Awards were announced today at the Seville Film Festival. Previously, the awards have been held almost exclusively in Germany, and few other Western European locations including Glasgow and Paris. However this year, for a nice change of pace, the European Film Academy is going in a different direction. For the first time, the ceremony will enter Eastern Europe and air from Warsaw.
This is even more interesting considering one of the leaders in nominees is the wonderful German film by Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck, The Lives of Others, which chronicles East German Stasi in the 1980's. Perhaps its strong showing was enough to make the academy look to the east. Along with Almodóvar's Volver, the two have dominated the nominations with six nods each. Both are up not only for best film, but also a number of acting and technical awards.
Other films to make the list are Neil Jordan's quirky Breakfast on Pluto, Michael Winterbottom and Mat Whitecross' The Road to Guantanamo, and Ken Loach's The Wind That Shakes the Barley. However, I'm surprised to see a list without any nominations for Andrea Arnold's Red Road; after a Cannes Jury Pricz and number of British Independent Film Award nominations, I thought she was a shoo-in.
If the great films on this list are any indication, this should be an interesting season of awards. What say you?
[Check out the full list of nominees at the European Film Academy's website]
Via: www.cinematical.com
This is even more interesting considering one of the leaders in nominees is the wonderful German film by Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck, The Lives of Others, which chronicles East German Stasi in the 1980's. Perhaps its strong showing was enough to make the academy look to the east. Along with Almodóvar's Volver, the two have dominated the nominations with six nods each. Both are up not only for best film, but also a number of acting and technical awards.
Other films to make the list are Neil Jordan's quirky Breakfast on Pluto, Michael Winterbottom and Mat Whitecross' The Road to Guantanamo, and Ken Loach's The Wind That Shakes the Barley. However, I'm surprised to see a list without any nominations for Andrea Arnold's Red Road; after a Cannes Jury Pricz and number of British Independent Film Award nominations, I thought she was a shoo-in.
If the great films on this list are any indication, this should be an interesting season of awards. What say you?
[Check out the full list of nominees at the European Film Academy's website]
Via: www.cinematical.com
24 Hours Comics Day
Saturday, October 07, 2006
On October 7th, 2006, cartoonists around the world will face the 24 hour comics challenge. To help these cartoonists, some comic book stores, educational institutions, libraries, businesses, and comics clubs will host special 24 Hour Comics Day events. They'll provide cartoonists with a space to work, access to food and drink, and camaraderie.
The 24 hour comic challenge is for a cartoonist to completely create a 24 page comics story in 24 straight hours. A "24 hour comic" is any comics story you make while facing the challenge, even if you take more than 24 consecutively-awake hours to make the comic or if you end after 24 hours with a story that's shorter than 24 pages. For more details on the challenge, click http://www.24hourcomics.com/dare.html
The 24 hour comic challenge is for a cartoonist to completely create a 24 page comics story in 24 straight hours. A "24 hour comic" is any comics story you make while facing the challenge, even if you take more than 24 consecutively-awake hours to make the comic or if you end after 24 hours with a story that's shorter than 24 pages. For more details on the challenge, click http://www.24hourcomics.com/dare.html
Travel by train? "Meet The man in Seat 61"
Monday, September 18, 2006
Every morning a mild-mannered British servant catches his commuter train to London, whips open his laptop and helps change the way people travel around the world.
Mark Smith is the man behind The Man in Seat 61, an independent website that's riding a wave of global popularity as more and more travellers give up on chaotic air travel and embrace the romance of railways.
Fancy London to Tokyo via the Trans-Siberian and ferry? Or Bangkok to Singapore on a shoestring? Have you even heard of the WaraWara between Oruro and Tupiza? The Man in Seat 61 can help.
On a tea break from his government job in London ? he helps draft transport policy ? Smith told how his site, which grew out of a lifelong passion for long-distance rail travel, has blossomed over the past five years.
In July it pulled more than 260 000 visitors, with 50 percent more visitors just on August 10 ? the day when the thwarting of an alleged plot to put suicide bombers on US airliners resulted in unprecedented levels of security, and scenes of mayhem, at major British airports.
"When I first started the site, it was attracting people who didn't need to fly, or who specifically didn't want to go by train," he said.
In the last year or two, however, "there has been a surge of interest in travelling overland to avoid flying, or to cut down on flying" amid concern about the impact of civil aviation on climate change.
A labour of love
Typical of the new breed of surface traveller is Barbara Haddrill (28) an environmental activist who is taking six weeks to travel from Wales to Australia for a friend's wedding.
"If I flew to Australia I would negate everything I have done for the last six years and that would seem sad," blogged Haddrill before she set off by train via Moscow to Singapore, where she plans to find a boat to Brisbane.
By her estimate, her trip will put 1.65 tonnes of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, compared to 3.7 tonnes if she flew. Beyond environmental concerns, however, Smith senses a yearning among travellers to enjoy their journey as much as their destination.
"When you arrive somewhere by train, I suppose it's like reaching the summit after climbing a mountain," he said. "If you took a helicopter, it would be the same summit, but it wouldn't be the same."
Very much a labour of love, The Man in Seat 61 ? named for Smith's favourite first-class Eurostar seat ? is updated by Smith himself during his hour-long daily commute to work from his home outside London.
It draws not only from his own experience and research, but also on email contributions from fans around the world.
From London to anywhere...
As a travel planning tool, he said, it is often the only place on the internet to find details about trains in offbeat places, such as Egypt where the state railway has no website of its own.
Even for travel within Europe, it has stuff that's missing from official websites, such as pictures to show what exactly a couchette ? an economy-class sleeper ? looks like on France's SNCF railway.
Most visited are Smith's pages on the Trans-Siberian railway, India, Australia and Canada, as well as "London to anywhere in Europe" and a historical page that clears up myths about the fabled Orient Express.
Smith's own recent journeys have seen him take the train to a wedding in Greece, then on to Syria and Jordan. Closer to home he has already introduced his baby son Nate to the Eurostar with a day trip to Disneyland.
As for this year's most talked about rail adventure, China's newly launched high-altitude train to Tibet, "I think I'll wait until the excitement has calmed down."
"The world is changing," he added. "If we're not careful, it will be an identical world with identical fast food places, identical hotel chains, and every journey is an identical journey at 30 000 feet."
"But we're not there yet."
Robert MacPherson
http://travel.iafrica.com/bulletinboard/990798.htm
Mark Smith is the man behind The Man in Seat 61, an independent website that's riding a wave of global popularity as more and more travellers give up on chaotic air travel and embrace the romance of railways.
Fancy London to Tokyo via the Trans-Siberian and ferry? Or Bangkok to Singapore on a shoestring? Have you even heard of the WaraWara between Oruro and Tupiza? The Man in Seat 61 can help.
On a tea break from his government job in London ? he helps draft transport policy ? Smith told how his site, which grew out of a lifelong passion for long-distance rail travel, has blossomed over the past five years.
In July it pulled more than 260 000 visitors, with 50 percent more visitors just on August 10 ? the day when the thwarting of an alleged plot to put suicide bombers on US airliners resulted in unprecedented levels of security, and scenes of mayhem, at major British airports.
"When I first started the site, it was attracting people who didn't need to fly, or who specifically didn't want to go by train," he said.
In the last year or two, however, "there has been a surge of interest in travelling overland to avoid flying, or to cut down on flying" amid concern about the impact of civil aviation on climate change.
A labour of love
Typical of the new breed of surface traveller is Barbara Haddrill (28) an environmental activist who is taking six weeks to travel from Wales to Australia for a friend's wedding.
"If I flew to Australia I would negate everything I have done for the last six years and that would seem sad," blogged Haddrill before she set off by train via Moscow to Singapore, where she plans to find a boat to Brisbane.
By her estimate, her trip will put 1.65 tonnes of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, compared to 3.7 tonnes if she flew. Beyond environmental concerns, however, Smith senses a yearning among travellers to enjoy their journey as much as their destination.
"When you arrive somewhere by train, I suppose it's like reaching the summit after climbing a mountain," he said. "If you took a helicopter, it would be the same summit, but it wouldn't be the same."
Very much a labour of love, The Man in Seat 61 ? named for Smith's favourite first-class Eurostar seat ? is updated by Smith himself during his hour-long daily commute to work from his home outside London.
It draws not only from his own experience and research, but also on email contributions from fans around the world.
From London to anywhere...
As a travel planning tool, he said, it is often the only place on the internet to find details about trains in offbeat places, such as Egypt where the state railway has no website of its own.
Even for travel within Europe, it has stuff that's missing from official websites, such as pictures to show what exactly a couchette ? an economy-class sleeper ? looks like on France's SNCF railway.
Most visited are Smith's pages on the Trans-Siberian railway, India, Australia and Canada, as well as "London to anywhere in Europe" and a historical page that clears up myths about the fabled Orient Express.
Smith's own recent journeys have seen him take the train to a wedding in Greece, then on to Syria and Jordan. Closer to home he has already introduced his baby son Nate to the Eurostar with a day trip to Disneyland.
As for this year's most talked about rail adventure, China's newly launched high-altitude train to Tibet, "I think I'll wait until the excitement has calmed down."
"The world is changing," he added. "If we're not careful, it will be an identical world with identical fast food places, identical hotel chains, and every journey is an identical journey at 30 000 feet."
"But we're not there yet."
Robert MacPherson
http://travel.iafrica.com/bulletinboard/990798.htm
ERASMUS ROCK FESTIVAL 2006
Sunday, April 23, 2006
New Developments in the Erasmus Rock Festival!
The Ayuntamiento and the Coliseum of La Coru?a have joined forces with the Erasmus Rock Festival 2006 committee to expand the scope of the festival. The festival will now be held in el Coliseum (IMCE), the premier performance space in La Coru?a, where important international artists such as Frank Sinatra, Mana and Shakira have performed to audiences of 11,000.
This opportunity to hold the festival in el Coliseum will allow us to feature more international bands and to expand our reach to a larger audience. Because of the expanded scope of the festival, the Erasmus Rock Festival will now take place on November 10th, 2006.
Because of the later date we have decided to keep the application process open. The selection committee will continue to accept applications until June 17th, 2006. Please see the application for details.
(The selection committee has already evaluated the applications from bands who submitted their materials by the first deadline. Our interest has been communicated directly to the groups via email. If you have any further questions about this matter please do not hesitate to contact erock@erasmuscoruna.com).
?Safe Start? Video Competition
Thursday, April 20, 2006
| The competition is a chance to shoot a video story of your choice: a short documentary, drama, TV commercial, news report, music, animation - whatever you think gets the message out about safety and health at work. Please interpret the brief as widely as you can - don't just think of the obvious. The competition is open to schools and to young people under the age of 19 on 30 September 2006 as individuals or working as a team. The closing date for the competition is 30 September 2006. All details about the competition can be found on: The competition is organised by the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work, and it is part of the European Week for Safety and Health at Work, 23 - 27 October 2006: |
 |
Erasmus Rock Festival 2006
Monday, March 06, 2006
WHERE: La Coru?a, Spain + WHEN : May 12th , 2006
WHAT: International Student Music Festival Participate in the Erasmus experience and perform before an international audience
WHO: Be among emerging European rock bands from Universities around Europe to participate in the ERASMUS ROCK festival. Selected bands will have all travel and accommodation expenses paid.
WHY: Unique opportunity to travel and reach an international audience.
DEADLINE: Applications and demo cd´s from bands with University student members will be accepted until March 31st
APPLICATION DETAILS: http://www.erasmuscoruna.com questions: erock@erasmuscoruna.com
Erasmus Rock Festival 2006
La Coru?a, Spain
May 12th 2006
Application for Participation in the ERASMUS ROCK Music Festival
Description of opportunity:
Erasmus Coruna is organizing an international music festival to bring to gether Erasmus communities and to promote international exchange among European students. The bands are also invited to learn about Spanish and Galician culture through various sponsored activities.
Compensation: Travel and accommodation expenses will be provided for Erasmus Coruna will arrange all travel details from host city. Amplifiers, keyboards, and drum sets, PA equipment, lighting, etc. will also be provided.
Who we are looking for:
We are seeking applications from bands interested in increasing their international exposure through this unique opportunity.
Requirements:
? Short biography of band: including band name, home city, university or universities represented, live experience, recording experience, names of band members and their role in the band
? Press photograph: high resolution preferred
? Video clip: at least 30 seconds
? Demo CD containing at least 3 songs labelled with song titles
? At least 50 % of the band members must be current University students
? Description of equipment required
? Anticipated arrival date.
Acceptable formats include: CD, MP3, DVD, low resolution clips from digital cameras are also acceptable.
Rules of Participation:
By submitting their applications and materials, applicants agree to have their music and/ or videos featured on the Erasmus Coruna website and used for other promotional purposes.
Deadline and Application Submission Details:
All materials must be received by March 31st, 2006
Music and video clips may be submitted either digitally via email to erock@erasmuscoruna.com or may be mailed to
Erasmus Rock Festival 2006
Casa de la Galería
Campus de Elvi?a
15071 A Coru?a
Spain
technorati tags: erasmus rock festival a coruna
WHAT: International Student Music Festival Participate in the Erasmus experience and perform before an international audience
WHO: Be among emerging European rock bands from Universities around Europe to participate in the ERASMUS ROCK festival. Selected bands will have all travel and accommodation expenses paid.
WHY: Unique opportunity to travel and reach an international audience.
DEADLINE: Applications and demo cd´s from bands with University student members will be accepted until March 31st
APPLICATION DETAILS: http://www.erasmuscoruna.com questions: erock@erasmuscoruna.com
Erasmus Rock Festival 2006
La Coru?a, Spain
May 12th 2006
Application for Participation in the ERASMUS ROCK Music Festival
Description of opportunity:
Erasmus Coruna is organizing an international music festival to bring to gether Erasmus communities and to promote international exchange among European students. The bands are also invited to learn about Spanish and Galician culture through various sponsored activities.
Compensation: Travel and accommodation expenses will be provided for Erasmus Coruna will arrange all travel details from host city. Amplifiers, keyboards, and drum sets, PA equipment, lighting, etc. will also be provided.
Who we are looking for:
We are seeking applications from bands interested in increasing their international exposure through this unique opportunity.
Requirements:
? Short biography of band: including band name, home city, university or universities represented, live experience, recording experience, names of band members and their role in the band
? Press photograph: high resolution preferred
? Video clip: at least 30 seconds
? Demo CD containing at least 3 songs labelled with song titles
? At least 50 % of the band members must be current University students
? Description of equipment required
? Anticipated arrival date.
Acceptable formats include: CD, MP3, DVD, low resolution clips from digital cameras are also acceptable.
Rules of Participation:
By submitting their applications and materials, applicants agree to have their music and/ or videos featured on the Erasmus Coruna website and used for other promotional purposes.
Deadline and Application Submission Details:
All materials must be received by March 31st, 2006
Music and video clips may be submitted either digitally via email to erock@erasmuscoruna.com or may be mailed to
Erasmus Rock Festival 2006
Casa de la Galería
Campus de Elvi?a
15071 A Coru?a
Spain
technorati tags: erasmus rock festival a coruna
European Youth Portal
Friday, March 03, 2006
The European Youth Portal, described as a "A gateway to citizenship and mobility for young people in Europe", has been developed as a direct result of the European Commission's 2001 white paper A new impetus for European Youth. The Youth Portal is a way to give access to information on Europe to as many young people as possible. There is information from European, national, regional and local levels, which is of interest to young people, who are living, learning and working in Europe. The ultimate aim of the portal is to enhance young people's participation in public life and thus to contribute to their active citizenship.
The European Youth Portal was launched at a press conference in Brussels on 26 May 2004 by Viviane Reding and Dalia Grybauskaitë, Commissioners for Education, Youth and Culture. Following the press conference, young people and those involved in European youth affairs were invited to take part in a live interactive internet chat with the Commissioners.
What you will find in the portal: The role of Eurodesk
The content for the portal has been developed by Eurodesk, ERYICA and EYCA, working together to develop the prototype of the portal and deliver the national level research. At European level, Eurodesk co-ordinates the research and manages the information for the Youth Portal. At national level, the Eurodesk partners in each country are responsible for researching and inputting national information for each of the portal themes in co-operation with other providers of youth information.
Young people are the main target group for the European Youth Portal, but information is also made available for those who work with young people on this website. The Eurodesk Support Centre provides a new service offering on-line support and help to any professionals (youth workers, teachers, trainers, librarians, etc.) who are involved in giving information to young people. This service is for those who may be dealing with European information for young people and who would like some help or support.
Source: http://www.eurodesk.org:8080/edesk/Infocentre.do?go=10
The European Youth Portal was launched at a press conference in Brussels on 26 May 2004 by Viviane Reding and Dalia Grybauskaitë, Commissioners for Education, Youth and Culture. Following the press conference, young people and those involved in European youth affairs were invited to take part in a live interactive internet chat with the Commissioners.
What you will find in the portal: The role of Eurodesk
The content for the portal has been developed by Eurodesk, ERYICA and EYCA, working together to develop the prototype of the portal and deliver the national level research. At European level, Eurodesk co-ordinates the research and manages the information for the Youth Portal. At national level, the Eurodesk partners in each country are responsible for researching and inputting national information for each of the portal themes in co-operation with other providers of youth information.
Young people are the main target group for the European Youth Portal, but information is also made available for those who work with young people on this website. The Eurodesk Support Centre provides a new service offering on-line support and help to any professionals (youth workers, teachers, trainers, librarians, etc.) who are involved in giving information to young people. This service is for those who may be dealing with European information for young people and who would like some help or support.
Source: http://www.eurodesk.org:8080/edesk/Infocentre.do?go=10
