So, I love machinima (typically known as game content edited into a movie format, if you're unfamiliar), and apparently the world does too, because there's an Academy of Machinima Arts & Sciences (AMAS) out there. Suddenly I want to know all about this Academy. How did it form? Can you imagine that meeting? Anyway, they're the folks behind the 2008 Machinima Festival, so here's a brief history on them:

Headquartered in New York, the Academy of Machinima Arts & Sciences is a non-profit organization established to promote, organize and recognize the growth of Machinima filmmaking and filmmakers.

This organization was developed in March of 2002 by several leading members of the Machinima community. It is our goal to both make the current creative industries aware of Machinima as well as bring support & credibility to independent Machinima productions as a whole.

The Academy of Machinima Arts & Sciences is made of a number of influential community members with a keen interest in Machinima as a viable medium.

Machinima is serious business, folks. AMAS aren't the only ones onboard though. If you recall, the coming shortly GC ART 2008 event will have its own dedication to the medium.

"The Mackies", however, are open to anyone, and machinima creators interested should submit their work by Friday, Sept. 12. The event itself will be held November 1 at Eyebeam, which is depicted as a "multi-disciplinary art and technology center in Manhattan." Again, serious business!

A highlight this time round, like in the past, will be the feature panel discussions with "prominent machinima filmmakers from around the world." This year a new awards ceremony will be held, featuring 17 catergories (yikes), including "Best Long Format" and "Best Game Studio Machinima", which honors realtime cutscenes and cinematics found in today's titles.

If you're keen on this stuff, feel free to check out our machinima section on Neoseeker Videos.

Background

Hailed as the “Sundance for the Video Game Set” by MTV News, the Machinima Festival evolved from its humble beginnings as an adjunct to QuakeCon in Mesquite, Texas in 2002, into the field’s definitive celebration and showcase. The event, which is organized and produced by AMAS, consistently draws hundreds of machinima professionals, enthusiasts and critics, who gather to explore the works of modern innovators, network and discuss the future of the industry.

Detailed submission requirements and instructions can be found online at www.festival.machinima.org. Interested parties may also contact AMAS at:
ress@machinima.org.

WHERE: Eyebeam
540 W. 21st Street, (between 10th and 11th Avenues) New York, NY 10011
WHEN: 11am-11PM (Awards Ceremony at 8pm)
PHONE: 212-937-6580