The Cyberyouth/Pathway Digital International Film Festival -- believed to be the largest festival in the world featuring all-digitally produced movies -- will help position Kansas City as a key digital technology industry center, officials say.

The September 15-17 Cyberyouth/Pathway Digital International Film Festival will present more than 60 films -- both features and shorts -- from throughout the United States, Canada and Australia, and speakers and workshop presenters will discuss what's new and what's next in digital technology.

"We have some terrific independent productions that will be shown, including some MTV and Project Greenlight award winners," said Lowell Smith, CEO of Pathway Digital Studio and Executive Director of Cyberyouth Club, a not-for-profit organization that trains at-risk, urban-core youth from middle school through college age in digital technology.

"Of the 40 or so feature-length films that will be shown at the festival, the premiers include one that was written and produced by students in our Cyberyouth Club," he said. The movie, Heartland Hauntings, is about Kansas City-area psychic Sueanne Pool and her investigations into two haunted houses.

The movies will be shown at AMC Parkway 14, courtesy of AMC Theatres, a major local sponsor of the event, and workshops and speakers will present at The Radisson Hotel, another major sponsor, in Downtown Kansas City.

"Speakers represent leaders in the film, digital production and acting industry," said Smith. Those scheduled to speak include:

Marty Shindler, film industry consultant with The Shindler Perspective, Inc., who regularly tracks film industry business and trends

Dick Walsh, AMC Theatres Executive Vice President and Chairman Film Programming

Peter Jasso, Director of the Kansas Film Commission

Jerry Jones, Director of the Missouri Film Commission

Scott-Arthur Allen, President of the Missouri Film Alliance in Springfield, Mo., and acting coach for such recognized Hollywood actors as Tea Leoni, Sela Ward, Lisa Hartman Black, Miles O'Keefe, Jeff Speakman and Mark Dacascos

"The seminars and workshops we're hosting will help every person involved in videography and streaming media to reach the highest level of digital proficiency," Smith said. "Our keynote speakers, session presenters and workshop leaders are recognized as being experts in their fields."

Proceeds from the event will help support scholarships to enable students to participate in the programs and training offered by Cyberyouth Club, the Kansas City-based charitable not-for-profit organization.

"Our young people have a tremendous amount to offer, and have the creativity, talent and drive to present new perspectives," Smith said. "With training in digital technology, these young people become employable, able to contribute to the community and its economy, and many are prepared to continue their educations at the college level."

He said that Cyberyouth Club-trained young people will bolster the value of Kansas City's digital technology industry.

"With the skills these kids bring to the table after learning how to make the best uses of digital technologies, and with the resources we're providing and enhancing at Pathway Digital Studio -- where these kids train and work -- we aim to create a major digital industry production center right here in Kansas City," he said.

He noted that digital technology already is considered a necessary component in film, television and streaming media and continues to evolve and expand.

"The production infrastructure is in place to generate the boost in movie production that the industry anticipates, including increased use of HD and digital cameras," Smith said. "These trends, as well as new digital technologies and resources, will be discussed at the Cyberyouth/Pathway Digital International Film Festival."

WHAT: The Cyberyouth/Pathway Digital International Film Festival

WHO: Movie industry leaders and a host of independent movie
producers

WHEN: September 15-17, 2005

WHERE: AMC Parkway 14
8600 Ward Parkway
and
The Radisson Hotel in Kansas City, Mo.
1301 Wyandotte Street