October 17, 2023
The American Film Market, running over six days Oct. 31 – Nov. 5 at its new headquarters located at Le Méridien Delfina Santa Monica (530 Pico Blvd.), has tallied more than 245 exhibitors, according to organizers.
Industry Screenings are set at theaters throughout the city and the AFM’s conference series, The AFM Sessions, will take place at The Hilton Santa Monica Hotel (1707 4th St).
The exhibitor list features independent film and TV production, sales and distribution companies as well as national Pavilions from China, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Thailand and the United Kingdom. International trade organizations, film commissions and production service companies also have a significant presence as part of this year’s enhanced LocationEXPO exhibition, according to organizers.
This year’s AFM Exhibitors include such sales companies as: A24, AGC Studios, Altitude Film Sales, Amazon MGM Studios, Anton, Bankside Films, Beta Cinema, Black Bear Pictures, Blue Fox Entertainment, Charades, Cinema Management Group, CJ ENM, Emperor Motion Pictures, Film Mode Entertainment, FilmNation, GAGA Corporation, Gaumont, Global Screen GmbH, HanWay Films, Lakeshore, Lionsgate, MGM Studios, Millennium Media, Odin’s Eye Entertainment, Orange Studio, Pathé Films, Protagonist Pictures, SND Groupe M6, Studiocanal, Toei Company, TrustNordisk, Unifrance, Voltage Pictures, WME Independent, and XYZ Films. The current exhibitor list is here.
Registrants include buyers from more than 65 countries to date, according to organizers.
“All indicators are pointing to a strong AFM23 and we look forward to hosting the global industry in just a few weeks,” Jean Prewitt, IFTA president and CEO said in a statement. “Asia which was still impacted by COVID restrictions last year is well-represented again, as are the U.K. and Europe — especially Italy, France, Germany and Spain. AFM is the only major fall film market and its location, close to the beach as well as to the Los Angeles studios, streamers and agencies, solidifies it as an essential destination for the industry to meet, conduct business and celebrate independent film, even in the midst of current challenges.”
Alongside the sales activity and screenings, The AFM Sessions presented by Wrapbook & Film Hawaii, will bring 30-plus panels across two stages over four days beginning Nov. 1.
Day one highlights include:
- Film Funding Today: The Benefits & Limitations of Global Tax Incentives
Jeaneane Davey, Netflix, Patrick Rizzotti, Blue Fox Financing, Ryan Broussard, Wrapbook, and Will French, Fallbrook - The Global Perspective: Breaking the Boundaries of Today’s Film Marketplace
Christian Vesper, Fremantle, Syrinthia Studer, Paramount Pictures, Mark Gooder, Cornerstone and Steven Gaydos, Variety - The Content Audiences Want & The Industry Needs to Provide
Lourdes Diaz, AGC Studios, Jeffrey Greenstein, Millennium Media, Joe Lewis, Amplify Pictures, and Maren Olson, 30WEST
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Other programming highlights include:
- Changing Minds and Bettering Lives Through Storytelling: Karen Lunder, Imagine Entertainment, Anikah McLaren, Participant Media, and Jamal Henderson, The SpringHill Company
- Developing, Pitching, and Making Television: Nathan Varni, ABC/Disney, Kate Gill, Paramount Television Studios, Leila Cohan, writer and producer (“Bridgerton”), and Vijal Patel, writer and producer (“Black-ish”), and Richard Botto, Stage 32
- Harnessing the Power of Music for Film: Kris Le-Roy, Universal Production Music, Satya Fuentes, Netflix, Cristina May, music director and producer, Garo Setian, creative director, Jeff Cardoni, composer for film & television, and Ryan Svendsen, Millennium Media
- Fast Times in the Ad-Supported Distribution Landscape for Independents: Will Gurman, Paramount Streaming, Yolanda Macias, Cinedigm, and Tyler Aquilina, Variety Intelligence Platform
- The Pitch Conference: Cassian Elwes, Elevated Film Sales, Lorelle Lynch, AGC Studios, and Jee Jessup, Consultant
- Managing Common Legal Risks in Production: Phil Strina, Lionsgate, Kirk D’Amico, Myriad Pictures, Joanne Hoffman, Hoffman Entertainment Law and Roger Goff, Goff Law Corp.
- Getting Your Film Made, Seen, and Profitable in The Streaming Era:
Brian Beckmann, Arclight Films, Juliet Berman, Spiral Stairs Entertainment, Sophia Dilley, Concord Originals, and Paul Scanlan, Legion M - Economic Development: Moviemaking on Native Land: Joanelle Romero, Red Nation Celebration Institute, Allison Whitmer, Commissioner, Montana Film Office, Coni Shepperd, Southern Kentucky Film Commission, Cyndy McCrossen, Liaison, City of Albuquerque Film, Marcei Brown, Founder, Crewie, and Mike Fantasia, Former President, LMGI
- Evolving Roles and Relationships: Sales Agents and Producers
Clay Epstein, Film Mode Entertainment, Marc Goldberg, Signature Films, Mark Padilla, Jack Rabbit Media, and Nadine de Barros, Fortitude International
The initial schedule and speakers can be viewed here.