New York Anime Festival reveals first guests on new web site
Norwalk, CT, June 21, 2007: The New York Anime Festival (NYAF) today announced that anime legends Peter Fernandez and Corinne Orr will participate in the inaugural New York Anime Festival as its first Guests of Honor. Mr. Fernandez and Ms. Orr have lent their talents to hundreds of projects including Castle in the Sky, Courage the Cowardly Dog, and Kaidohmaru; however, both are most known for their roles as Speed and Trixie in the iconic classic Speed Racer.
"I'm very excited to be part of the New York Anime Festival. After all, I was born in Manhattan!" Mr. Fernandez said. "It's just amazing that Speed Racer has had such a long life and there's only more up ahead."
"I'm so lucky to have so many fans, to have such great times, and to be a child again every time I'm in front of an audience," states Ms. Orr. "I'm truly looking forward to this December!"
NYAF revealed this news -- and much more -- on its redesigned official website located at www.newyorkanimefestival.com. The new, feature-rich NYAF website replaces a previous, teaser site and is divided into the following main areas: Tickets, Travel, Guests, Panels, Screenings, Special Events, Exhibition Hall, and Sponsors. Additionally, it features dedicated sections for Exhibitors, Artists, Press, Professionals, Parents, and Volunteers. All these areas will only expand and new areas will constantly be added throughout the summer, fall, and winter with additional announcements about the guests, events, and exhibitors of NYAF 2007.
"It all starts now," notes John McGeary, Show Manager for NYAF. "The New York Anime Festival has been focused on the launch of our website, and now that it's here, we'll be making a lot more news and a lot more noise. We're privileged to have Peter Fernandez and Corinne Orr as our first Guests of Honor, and we're eager to announce additional Guests of Honor and even a North American Premiere shortly."
ABOUT PETER FERNANDEZ:
Peter Fernandez -- the iconic voice of Speed in Speed Racer -- spent his early years modeling and acting in New York City. Following the outbreak of World War II, he put his career on hold, joined the Army, and advanced to the rank of Technical Sergeant. After the war, Peter returned to New York and worked as a prolific writer, actor, and director for television and radio. While he is most known for voicing Speed in Speed Racer, Peter has lent his voice and talents to hundreds of films and television series including A Fistful of Dollars, Astro Boy, Castle in the Sky, Cinema Paradiso, Day of the Dead, Gigantor, Godzilla vs. The Sea Monster, Mothra, Star Blazers, Superbook, Taro: The Dragon Boy, That Man From Rio, The Space Giants, Ultraman, and What's Eating Gilbert Grape. He recently worked on Cartoon Network's Courage the Cowardly Dog and The Discovery Channel's Kenny the Shark and continues to act and direct today.
ABOUT CORINNE ORR:
Corinne Orr -- best known for her part as Trixie in Speed Racer -- was born in Montreal, Canada. Early on, Corinne's mother enrolled her in elocution lessons, and soon the young Corinne was hooked. At the age of 10, Corinne became heavily involved in theatre, and by 14, Corinne was working with the Montreal Repertory Theatre and Montreal's Mountain Playhouse alongside William Shatner and Christopher Plummer. With her stage background, Corinne quickly landed work on radio, animation, and TV. Corinne's animation credits include Star Blazers, Ultraman, and Marine Boy, but she is most widely known for her role as the voice of Trixie in the classic Speed Racer. She continues to work in such series as Disney's PB&J Otter.
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, ICv2, New York Comic Con, NEW YORK - TOKYO, Newtype USA Magazine, Publishers Weekly, TOKYOPOP, and Wedge Holdings.
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.