June 15, 2009
News for Anime Expo 2009:
Anime Expo 2009 announces SPJA Industry Conference panels
Anaheim, California (June 15, 2009) -- The industry comes together as Anime Expo® 2009 and the Society for the Promotion of Japanese Animation announce the key note speakers and panel topics for the 2009 SPJA Industry Conference held during the nation's largest anime and manga convention, Anime Expo® 2009, July 2-5, 2009 at the Los Angeles Convention Center. More information can be found on the website www.anime-expo.org.
This year's key note speakers include Austin Osueke-CEO/Publisher. eigoMANGA (July 2, 2009; LP3; 11:00am), Shawne Kleckner-President/CEO, Right Stuf, Inc. (July 3, 2009; LP3; 11:00 am) and Kun Gao-CEO, Crunchyroll (July 4, 2009; LP3; 11:00 am). Key points regarding the state of the digital, anime and manga industries will be addressed during these key note engagements.
Industry Conference panel include the following topics:
- Making Mangas and Animes into Hollywood Features (July 2, 2009; LP3; 11:30 am)-Top panelists involved in many of the biggest manga and anime-to-live-action Hollywood feature deals, experts in this field will talk about the advantages and pitfalls of this challenging task of maintaining the manga creator's vision while making a successful movie or TV project that translates into those mediums.
- Can Manga Be Created in the USA and Become Commercially Successful? (July 3, 2009; LP3; 11:30 am)-Manga and Anime are such an exploding art form that they have influenced new generations of Americans to the degree that many create their own mangas. Can America start a future manga-movement? Experts in this field hold forth on this question with surprising conclusions. Examples of work being created in the USA will be presented including those by inspired university students.
- Digital Distribution the Wave of the Future (July 4, 2009; LP3; 11:30 am)-Anime can now be easily found legally online, what does the future hold for this new medium of entertainment delivery? Security? Will this be an answer to solving the industry's issue with online piracy? Experts leading the way will discuss the evolution of anime in the digital world, the challenges they face and how they intend to move towards the future.
In attendance as panelists will include industry experts from the anime and manga industries, as well as high profile Hollywood professionals including Northrop Davis (Professor/Producer/ Screenwriter), Jason Hoffs (VIZ Productions), Ken Holinsky (MX Media, LLC), Robert Le (Artist), Joshua Long (Producer), Nobuo Masuda (Bandai Entertainment), Robert Napton (Bandai Entertainment), Luis Reyes (Nexon America), Justin Sevakis (Anime News Network) and more.
Anime Expo® 2009 Official Guests of Honor include Yun Kouga, Hiroyuki Imaishi, Daisuke Ishiwatari, Yosuke Kuroda, Toshimichi Mori, Toshiyuki Morikawa, Morning Musume, Yasuhiro Nightow, Atsushi Nishigori, Satoshi Nishimura, Takashi Okazaki and Kari Wahlgren.
Attendees, Press and Industry Members are also encouraged to view the video coverage site of the 2008 convention at www.axbackstage.org.
Red & Black Sponsors include: FUNimation, Silver Sponsors include: Anime News Network and Digital Manga Press, Patron Sponsors include: COPIC, Central Park Media and The Right Stuf, Media Sponsors include: ImaginAsian TV, Animation Magazine, Anime Insider Magazine, Anime News Network and UTB Hollywood.
About Anime Expo®
Located in Los Angeles, California - Anime Expo®, the nation's largest anime/manga convention, serves to foster trade, commerce and the interests of the general public and animation/ comics industry. This event serves as a key meeting place for the general public to express their interest and explore various aspects of anime/manga, as well as for members of the industry to conduct business. AX 2009 will be held July 2 - July 5, 2009 at the Los Angeles Convention Center in Southern California. More information can be found at its website www.anime-expo.org.
About Society for the Promotion of Japanese Animation
The Society for the Promotion of Japanese Animation (SPJA) is a non-profit organization with a mission to popularize and educate the American public about anime and manga, as well as provide a forum to facilitate communication between professionals and fans. This organization is more popularly known by its entertainment property - Anime Expo®. More information can be found at its website www.spja.org.
The statements made in this press release that are not historical facts are "forward-looking statements." These forward-looking statements are based on current expectations and assumptions that are subject to risks and uncertainties. The Company cautions readers of this press release that a number of important factors could cause Anime Expo®/SPJA's actual future results to differ materially from those expressed in any such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, without limitation, product delays, industry competition, rapid changes in technology and industry standards, protection of proprietary rights, maintenance of relationships with key personnel, vendors and third-party developers, international economic and political conditions. The Company may change its intention, belief or expectation, at any time and without notice, based upon any changes in such factors, in the Company's assumptions or otherwise. The Company undertakes no obligation to release publicly any revisions to any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.
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