September 24, 2007

Webcomic, artist, and podcast guests announced at NYAF

The New York Anime Festival Reveals Talented Online Artists

Norwalk, CT, September 24, 2007: The New York Anime Festival (NYAF) today announced prominent online artists and performers Chris Hazelton, GeekNights, Juno Blair B, Lindsey Henninger, and Uncle Yo will be featured at its inaugural event, December 7-9, 2007 at the Jacob Javits Center in New York City. The New York Anime Festival, organized by the creators of the New York Comic Con, is committed to being an event which spans the anime world, and NYAF's newly announced guests -- podcasters, webcomic authors, and online illustrators -- further expand the convention's boundaries. Existing guests, including Kobun Shizuno (Co-Director of Evangelion: 1:0 You Are (Not) Alone), David Kalat (author of J-Horror: The Definitive Guide), and Yoshi Amao (founder of performance group Samurai Sword Soul), come from both the pop culture to traditional culture realms.

"I'm very pleased to welcome NYAF's new guests," Show Manager John McGeary said. "Chris, GeekNights, Juno, Lindsey, and Uncle Yo are all talented fans of anime and manga, and they've each turned their love into something creative. We're very happy to give them this opportunity to shine."

ABOUT CHRIS HAZELTON:
Creator of online comics Misfile (misfile.com) and Building 12 (building12.net) and writer and illustrator of the print comics series A Steel Wing Shattered. Chris is sponsored by Demented Dragon.

ABOUT GEEKNIGHTS:
A late night talk show for fans of anime, manga, comics, computers, movies, and technology with new shows four nights a week. GeekNights (frontrowcrew.com) will be at NYAF recording a live show.

ABOUT JUNO BLAIR B:
Writer and illustrator of the serialized graphic novel Star Cross'd Destiny (starcrossd.net), winner of the 2005 Web Cartoonist's Choice Award for Outstanding Dramatic Comic.

ABOUT LINDSEY HENNINGER:
Known for her unique art and coloring style, Lindsey -- under the name ElvesAteMyRamen -- is the most popular artist on anime art portal theOtaku.com.

ABOUT UNCLE YO:
An emerging comedian in both the online and convention worlds whose material has something for otaku, gamers, role players, Trekkies, Jedi, and comic book fanboys.

ABOUT THE NEW YORK ANIME FESTIVAL:
The New York Anime Festival takes place December 7-9, 2007 at the Jacob K. Javits Center in Midtown Manhattan and is organized by Reed Exhibitions, the creators of New York Comic Con. The New York Anime Festival will showcase the best of anime pop culture, including the latest anime, manga, Japanese cinema, music, and games, and anime-influenced comics, animation, and films from around the world. The festival will feature exclusive and extensive screenings, a gala cosplay masquerade, sessions with the some of the biggest names in anime from Japan, Asia, and America, and explore the Japanese cultural experience with displays of both traditional and cutting-edge Japanese life.

The New York Anime Festival is sponsored by ADV Films, Anime Insider Magazine, Anime Network, Anime News Network, AnimeNEXT, BookExpo America, Diamond Book Distributors, Entertainment Consumers Association, FUNimation Entertainment, ICv2, Manga Video, New York Comic Con, NEW YORK - TOKYO, Newtype USA Magazine, Publishers Weekly, Starz Media, TOKYOPOP, Video Business, and Wedge Holdings.

The New York Anime Festival's Guests of Honor include Peter Fernandez, Corinne Orr, Kobun Shizuno, and Aimee Major Steinberger. The New York Anime Festival's musical guests include HAPPYFUNSMILE, UNICORN TABLE, and Voltaire.

Further information and tickets can be found at www.newyorkanimefestival.com.

ABOUT REED EXHIBITIONS:
The New York Anime Festival is operated by Reed Exhibitions, the world's leading events organizer. In 2006, Reed brought together over six million industry professionals from around the world generating billions of dollars in business. Today, Reed events are held in 34 countries throughout the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia, and organized by 37 fully staffed offices.

Reed organizes a wide range of events, including exhibitions, conferences, congresses, and meetings. Its portfolio of over 460 events serves 52 industry sectors, including aerospace and defense, building and construction, design, electronics, energy, oil and gas, entertainment, food and hospitality, gifts, healthcare, IT/telecoms, jewelry, manufacturing, marketing and business services, pharmaceuticals, property, publishing, security, sport and recreation, transport and logistics, and travel.

Working closely with professional bodies, trade associations, and government departments, Reed ensures that each and every event is targeted and relevant to industry needs. As a result, many Reed events are market leaders in their field.

Reed Exhibitions is part of Reed Elsevier Group plc, a FTSE-100 company and world-leading publisher and information provider. In 2005, Reed Elsevier made adjusted profit before taxation of £1,002 million on turnover of £5,166 million.

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