The Watkins Film School at Watkins College of Art, Design & Film will hold an open casting call for its fall film projects on Friday, September 5th from 4pm-8pm and Saturday, September 6th from 10am-2pm. The auditions will take place at the College located at 2298 Rosa L. Parks Blvd. (formerly 2298 MetroCenter Boulevard). To schedule an appointment, send an email to casting@watkins.edu . Please include a requested date and time in your email. Walk-ins will also be accepted.

Bring a current headshot photo and resume. Prepare a one-minute contemporary monologue. If unable to attend, please mail a headshot photo and resume to: Andrew Newell, Watkins Film School, 2298 Rosa L. Parks Blvd., Nashville, TN 37228.

The students at Watkins Film School produce approximately 30 short films per semester, each requiring a diverse group of all ages. For additional questions call 615-277-7433.

The 9th Annual Americana Music Festival and Conference will bring over 1000 artists and industry professionals together from all over the world, representing all facets of our genre, to he Nashville Convention Center and premiere venues throughout the city from September 17-20. The AMA Festival will feature up to 60 showcase or performance slots for both established and emerging artists. These opportunities include both daytime slots and off-site evening showcases on three nights.

By day, the AMA Festival features numerous panels, seminars, a trade show and much more. This special event covers the interests and needs of artists, managers, labels, radio stations, publishers, agents, promoters, retailers, performing rights organizations, legal and business affairs executives, tour-related services, merchandisers, new media and all related allied professionals.

Visit www.americanamusic.org for ticket and more information on the festival.

If you would like to volunteer to help with the conference please contact danna@americanamusic.org for more details.

The dynamic four-day event will highlight the newest work in independent cinema and will take place October 15th - 18th in the heart of downtown Nashville, Tennessee. The International Black Film Festival of Nashville (IBFF) is a collaboration of dedicated professionals who support the need for a “community” effort to bring African American and other Communities together to showcase their work as emerging and skilled independent filmmakers, actors, composers, screenwriters, directors and other film industry professionals.

Here's a list of some of the workshops that will be provided by IBFF this year: “Deal or No Deal”: How To Play The Hollywood Game, WGA West Writers Workshop, An Easy Guide to Music Publishing / An Overview of the Music Industry, Be Your Own Studio: How to Empower Yourself & Control Your Destiny as a Filmmaker, Power of Imagery: Images and Depictions in Film, TV and Media, The World of Film: The International Film Market, Is Your Project Ready Distribution?, The Screen Actors Guild: Why and How, Soundtrack Basics. How to Get Your Music into Film and Television, Fast Pitch! (An actual opportunity to pitch your project!), and Hi Tech High Touch.

For more information please visit www.ibffnashville.com.

Fun Fright Night is coming up! The Nashville Film Festival (NaFF) is looking for ghoulish short films produced by local teens to present at the Nashville Children's Theatre (NCT). The evening events will include NCT's production of "Frankenstein" followed by a showcase of films including the finalists of the Fun Fright Film Competition (FFFC). The Grand Prize Winner of FFFC will receive an All-Festival Laminate to the 2009 NaFF, April 16-23, 2009 and 4 tickets to NCT's "The Giver" in February. All chosen finalists will receive free admission to Fun Fright Night. For complete rules, regulations and Fun Fright Night event information email Mandy McBroom at info@nashvillefilmfestival.org or call (615) 742-2500. Postmark deadline October 15, 2008. Quick facts: Competition open to all Middle Tennessee area youth age 19 and under, film must be produced after January 1, 2007, film must be under 10 minutes, subject matter must be suitable for an audience under 19 years of age, film must be on DVD, film must be accompanied by FFFC entry form and a 25 word or less synopsis.

The Gatlinburg Screenfest is an independent film festival coming to Gatlinburg, TN in March 2009. The focus will be on competition and building relationships in the film industry. For more information visit www.gatlinburgscreenfest.com

Pellissippi State Technologies Programs offers training in basic and advanced Sound Production, Game Design and Development. Located in the new Bagwell Center for media and Art, Pellissippi's placement rate is better than 90% and has been for more than 12 years consecutively. Graduates have been employed by RIVR, HGTV (Scripps), Five Man Productions, WBIR, WATE, WVLT, PBS, Comcast, Charter Communications, UT Sports, UT Dept. of Agriculture, Jewelry TV, and virtually every other production entit in East Tennessee. Many have worked on feature films. The faculty and staff include more than 10 film and video professionals, most of whom work in the business everyday. You will be able to see from their curriculum that the offere courses in a wide range of contemporary disciplines related to production. Visit Pellissippi State Technologies Program for more information.

Tennessee Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts (TNVLA) opened its offices at the Fall School in Nashville. Since opening, they have been fulfilling their mission of providing pro bono legal services to low-income artists and emerging arts organizations in the greater Nashville area. Artists and arts organizations can also become TNVLA members. TNVLA offers a variety of services including: Referrals to volunteer lawyers for artists and arts organizations who meet our income guidelines; walk-in clinics where artists and arts organizations can meet with a lawyer to discuss various issues and questions in an informal environment; seminars, workshops and other educational programming on numerous legal and business matters; paying referrals to experienced lawyers for artists who can afford to pay for services; and a library of legal and business resources for artists and arts organizations to use with the guidance of TNVLA staff. Annual fee of $30 or $50 (respectively). TNVLA relies on donations to fund their operation. Contributions may be sent to TNVLA at PO Box 121192, Nashville, TN 37212. To find out more about supporting TNVLA, please contact them at (615) 312-7224.