The New York City Council has approved the one billion dollar expansion project of Silvercup Studios on the Queens East River, adjacent to its main lot. The expansion will include an apartment complex, cultural center, an esplanade and commercial office spaces.

Members of the New York production community will convene while learning about cutting edge media technology at the New York Cine & Digital Equipment Show. The show, which will take place Oct. 10–11 at The Metropolitan Pavilion, will offer views of the latest cinema and digital equipment as well as seminars on how new technology affects how production is done. Exhibiters such as Arri, USA, J.L. Fisher and Panther Dollies and Cranes will display the latest equipment for film, video, HD cameras, lighting and sound. Seminars discussing technique will include a panel on HD workflow, a POV panel from the American Society of Cinematographers, and an Apple seminar on Final Cut Pro working with HD cameras.

Film LA Hires New Director of Community Relations

Film LA announced last month the hiring of Tracy Thomas as director of community relations, a position intended to improve relations between the organization and neighborhoods that host on-location filming. Thomas’ background includes other media-related stints, with previous positions at Warner Bros. and The Alliance of Motion Picture & Television Producers.

IFP Reduced Price Screenings

For one week, 10 of New York’s independent theaters will screen films for a reduced admission price of six dollars as part of IFP’s Independent Film Week. The reduced ticket price will be in effect from Monday, Sept. 18 to Thursday, Sept. 21. Participating theaters include Anthology Film Archives, BAM Rose Cinemas, Cinema Village, ImaginAsian, Landmark's Sunshine Cinema, Museum of Modern Art, Walter Reade Theater, Brooklyn Heights Cinema, Cobble Hill Cinemas and Kew Gardens Cinemas.

Academy Announces Election Results

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced the results of last month’s election by the organization’s board of governors. The Academy re-elected Sid Ganis as president, along with Robert Rehme as first vice president and Arthur Hamilton in a vice president post. From the Actors Branch, Tom Hanks was elected treasurer and Kathy Bates was re-elected secretary.