Another Oscars-like Web awards organization advances the threat of the Web becoming the most self-congratulatory industry in existence. The organizers of The Webby Awards announced Thursday the creation of The International Academy of Digital Arts & Sciences. The academy will be a nonprofit dedicated to "the advancement of the digital arts and sciences," according to a release, and will include former Governor Jerry Brown, visionary Esther Dyson, and Chicago Bulls' player Dennis Rodman. If there are enough laurels, maybe the Web workers can rest on them.
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Big, green schmooze machine: Sony Pictures Entertainment will try to make a big Mediterranean splash at the Cannes Film Festival with the closing night (24 May) screening of Dean Devlin's and Roland Emmerich's Godzilla, sources said Wednesday. Cannes execs were eager to find a closing night film that the audience would actually want to stay and watch. In past years, the closing night pic has drawn a lackluster turnout.
