News Release

For immediate releases                                                      August 3, 2000

SYDNEY, N.S. -- Along with a new name, there is determination to gain recognition as an international event for the Baddeck International New Media Festival. Government of Canada assistance is being used to help organize and market this year's Festival which will be held October 19-21, 2000 in Baddeck, Cape Breton. The key focus for the Festival is on content and creativity in new media which primarily includes the world wide web, CD/DVD and digital animation.

Formerly known as the Atlantic Digital Media Festival, it was established to stimulate the growth, development and recognition of the new media industry in Atlantic Canada and across the country. The awards presented during the Festival recognize the creativity and products of the companies and individuals involved in the new media industry in this region and around the world. The Festival also offers an opportunity for new media creative, technical and business professionals to meet and network.

The total estimated cost of the project is $170,000. Enterprise Cape Breton Corporation will make a non-repayable contribution of $85,000.

"The benefits this Festival brings are important to the information technology sector in terms of the awareness it creates as well as the role it plays in fostering growth, development and initiatives in the multimedia sector. The Government of Canada is pleased to work in partnership with the Atlantic Digital Media Festival Society as it strives to move the Festival from a regional awards festival to an international event," said the Honourable Bernie Boudreau, Leader of the Government in the Senate and Minister responsible for Nova Scotia, who announced the Government of Canada funding on behalf of the Honourable George Baker, Secretary of State for the Enterprise Cape Breton Corporation and the Atlantic Canada Oportunities Agency.

"With its support and encouragement for the Festival, the Government of Canada has recognized the strength of this region's new media sector and the many talented new media professionals on Cape Breton Island. The continued success and evolution of the Festival helps inspire everyone involved in this sector to keep it growing," said J.D. MacCulloch, Executive Producer, Baddeck International New Media Festival.

The Atlantic Digital Media Festival Society was established in 1997 to organize the Festival and Awards program. It is a not-for-profit organization composed of private sector participants who volunteer a great deal of time and effort to the annual event.

There are 12 general award categories (open to both companies and individual developers) in the Baddeck International New Media Festival Awards competition. In addition, submissions to the 12 categories are also automatically entered for

Special Awards to be presented for: Best Atlantic Canadian Entry; Best Canadian Entry; Best Technical Achievement; Best Creative Achievement and Best of Show. The Awards program also features the Telefilm Canada New Media Award which is a special $5,000 cash award sponsored by Telefilm Canada. It is open to original entertainment or educational new media products for the web or CD/DVD.

Enterprise Cape Breton Corporation offers programs in support of economic development initiatives and is responsible for delivering ACOA's programs in Cape Breton and the Mulgrave area.

For Furher Information Contact:

Marcie Stanley
ECBC Communications
Tel: (902) 564-7876
Fax:(902) 564-3825
E-mail: mstanley@ecbc.ca

Rebecca MacKenzie
Public Relations and Media Coordinator
Baddeck International New Media Festival
Tel: (902) 425-0943
Toll Free: (888) 792-2363
Fax: (902) 445-7936
Email: info@baddeckfest.com
www.baddeckfest.com