The American Film Market (AFM®) has announced new details for its 43rd edition, including The AFM Sessions lineup and speakers, LocationEXPO exhibit participants and Premiere Sponsors set for the market’s in-person return after two years online. The AFM will commence in Santa Monica, California at the Loews Beach Hotel and theatres throughout the city, Tuesday, November 1 and run for six days through Sunday, November 6.
The AFM Sessions presented by Cast & Crew and Spcine will feature a lineup of 30+ sessions that will bring over 100 speakers to its two stages over four days, Nov. 2-5, including global thought-leaders Howard Cohen, Roadside Attractions, Ashley Stern, Picture Perfect Federation, Martin Moszkowicz, Constantin Film,Jeff Annison,Legion M, Jeffrey Greenstein, Millennium Media, and George Hamilton, Protagonist Pictures. Programming highlights include:
- Finance: Strategies for Today’s VOD Dominated World
Maxime Cottray, XYZ Films (EVP, Production and Finance), Peter Graham, 120 dB Films (Principal), Deirdre Owens, Cast & Crew (VP, Production Incentive Financing) and Jeremy Kay, Screen International (Americas Editor).
- Forecasting the Future for Independent Film
David Fannon, Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment / Screen Media Ventures (EVP, Distribution / President), Martin Moszkowicz, Constantin Film (President and Chairman) Ashley Stern, Picture Perfect Federation / Federation Entertainment of America (President) and Patrick Frater, Variety (Asia Editor).
- Theatrical Marketplace Recovery for Independent Films
Howard Cohen, Roadside Attractions (Co-President & Co-Founder), Jeffrey Greenstein, Millennium Media(President), Scott Shooman, IFC Entertainment (SVP, Acquisitions) and Diana Lodderhose, Deadline, (International Features Editor).
- Demystifying the Global VOD Landscape
Nick Isaak, Gravitas Ventures (VP of Sales), Peter Jarowey, Vertical Entertainment (Partner / CEO), Jason Pfardrescher, Well Go USA (EVP Digital Distribution), Kent Sanderson, Bleecker Street/ DECAL (President, Acquisitions & Ancillary Distribution/ Co-President) and Stephanie Prange, Media Play News (Editor in Chief).
- Inspiration is Everywhere: Accessing & Adapting Existing IP for the Screen
Margaret Boykin, Ubisoft Film & Television (VP of Development, Film & Television), Charles Hopkins, Concord Originals (Director of Development & Production) and James Vanderbilt, Project X Entertainment (CCO).
- Independent Features with Big Profit Potential
Miranda Bailey, Cold Iron Pictures (CEO), Brian Beckmann Arclight Films (CFO) George Hamilton, Protagonist Pictures (CCO), andPip Ngo, XYZ Films (SVP of Sales & Acquisitions).
- The Producer / Sales Agent Dynamic
Clay Epstein, Film Mode Entertainment (President),Delphine Perrier, Highland Film Group (COO), Mary Jane Skalski, Echo Lake Entertainment (President of Production / Producer), andMimi Steinbaur, Radiant Films International (President & CEO).
- The Innovators
Jeff Annison, Legion M (Co-Founder & President), Lindsey Ramey, Wattpad WEBTOON Studios
(Head of Global Film), Richard Botto, Stage 32 (Founder) and Alex Ferrari, Indie Film Hustle (Founder).
As previously announced, AFM’s programming will kick off with the Finance Conference session The Risk Takers, featuring Jason Cloth, Creative Wealth Media / BRON, Basil Iwanyk, Thunder Road Pictures, Laura Lewis, Rebelle Media, Milan Popelka, FilmNation and Erich Schwartzel, The Wall Street Journal.
All sessions will take place at the Loews Hotel. The current schedule and speakers can be viewed HERE.
Alongside the sales activity, screenings and sessions, LocationEXPO at AFM will welcome Film Commissions, Government Agencies and Production Service Companies from more than 30 countries. Organizations participating in LocationEXPO hail from the U.S. and as far as Egypt, Kauai, Malaysia, Malta, Sao Paolo, Thailand, and Tokyo.
In addition to connecting with Film Commissions and organizations, who collectively are offering millions of dollars in production incentives, AFM participants can also attend panels and presentations from LocationEXPO exhibitors and partners, including The Italian Trade Agency, The Polish Film Institute, The North Finland Film Commission, and the Louisiana Office of Entertainment Industry Development.
About the American Film Market® (AFM®)
The AFM is where the business of film comes to life every November. One of the world’s preeminent film events and the only independently produced international sales market, hundreds of production, sales and distribution companies and thousands of buyers and professionals from every segment of the industry, convene at AFM in Santa Monica for six days of discovery, development, deal making, networking, marketplace discussions and world-class conferences. More than US$1 billion in finance, production and distribution deals are closed each year on completed films and projects in every stage of development and spanning every genre, budget and language. The AFM is produced by the Independent Film & Television Alliance® (IFTA®) and serves as the annual fundraiser for the association.
About the Independent Film & Television Alliance® (IFTA®)IFTA is the global trade association for independent film and television production, finance, distribution, and sales companies. The organization represents the independent sector before governments and international bodies and provides significant entertainment industry services to independent companies from 22 countries.
