Video Game & Animation Awards Opens to the World

For immediate release

VANCOUVER January 24, 2007 - The 2nd Annual Canadian Awards for the Electronic and Animated Arts (CAEAA) along with its Event Partners Ernst & Young, Electronic Arts (EA), Autodesk and the British Columbia Provincial Government will be inviting video game and animation companies as well as the students and educators of both from around the world to participate in this year's awards event, the 2007 Elans.

While last year's hugely successful CAEAA hosted by William Shatner drew worldwide attention, only Canadian content qualified for nomination. The 2007 Elans will include International Award Categories determined by worldwide industry input which will be announced on March 4, 2007. While it is generally agreed that Canada is a leader in the Video Gaming and Animation sectors as well as the education of both, the Canadian industry was nearly unanimous in its desire to include international competition into these awards as a way of further validating their role in this multi-billion dollar industry.

The 2007 Elans will be held on Friday, November 2nd at The Centre in Vancouver for the Performing Arts. The state-of-the-art structure, regarded as the premiere entertainment facility in the city, will host the nearly 2000 worldwide guests and participants of this year's Elans, tripling the attendance of its inaugural year in 2006.

This year the awards will also grow into a two day event: The day following the glamourous Elans, the CAEAA Producers along with industry associations such as the International Gaming Development Association (IGDA) and CAEAA Strategic Partner, Ernst & Young, will be hosting a full day Industry Event. The CAEAA Industry Event (CIV) will be held on Saturday, November 3rd at the 2007 Elans Official Hotelier The Sutton Place Hotel, Vancouver, one of only two AAA Five Diamond Hotels in all of Canada. The CIV will offer CEOs and their staff from Video Gaming, Animation and New Media Schools, both big and small, the opportunity to meet in person and "talk business". This day will provide for Canadian and International 2007 Elans attendees to interface in a casual but informative environment within luxurious surroundings. The day will end with a VIP wrap party currently planned for the Vancouver Art Gallery whereat working art from animation and video gaming projects will be displayed and auctioned for charity. Special events and rates for excursions such as Whistler Getaways will be available for those not wishing to hurry home on Sunday!

With the success of the inaugural awards in 2006, the producers of the CAEAA moved quickly to ensure that the following year's Elans would grow significantly to reflect the importance of the industries they awarded. They established the need for "Event Partners" to guarantee an industry-driven event and to secure the best advice and knowledge the producers would need to successfully create the show they envisioned. The producers carefully selected, approached and are thrilled to have on board already Ernst & Young, EA, Autodesk and the British Columbia Provincial Government as their event partners.

"EA is always excited to support animators, artists and designers in the growing videogame industry across Canada," said Ron Moravek, Vice President and Chief Operating Officer for EA Canada. "We think this is a great opportunity for many of the very talented people making games in this country to be recognized for their innovative and breakthrough work."

"Autodesk is pleased to partner with CAEAA for the 2007 ELAN awards," said Michel Kripalani, Autodesk's Media & Entertainment senior games industry manager. "Canada has long been at the frontier of game development and also has a thriving 3D animation industry. Through the ELAN awards, Autodesk is pleased to help the nation demonstrate its leadership position within the global 3D community."

The CAEAA couldn't produce the 2007 Elans without its Founders; those already committed to support this coming year's awards include Foundation 9/Backbone Entertainment, Western Imperial Magnetics, David Kaye Productions, Selkirk College, The Art Institute of Vancouver, Emily Carr Institute, VFS and Dean Lauzé of D'Arts.

"As the Movie Industry goes to Hollywood for its Oscars, so will the world of Video Gaming and Animation come to Canada for their Elans."

- Holly Carinci, Producer, CAEAA

For more information on the second year of this high tech/high glam awards event, visit our new website at www.caeaa.com.

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Contact: Holly Carinci, Producer dir: 604.921.4744 / cell: 604.218.3993

holly@caeaa.com

www.caeaa.com