2018 AFM Wraps With Over 130 New Exhibiting And Buying Companies From Around The World
LOS ANGELES, CA – November 8, 2018: The American Film Market (AFM®) wrapped on Wednesday, November 7, after eight days of intense deal-making, screenings, conferences and networking, drawing thousands of global film industry players, including finance, production, sales and distribution executives.
In total, 7,143 participants visited the Loews Hotel in Santa Monica. Individual buyers totalled 1,357 from 73 countries with significant increases from China, Italy and Spain. The market also welcomed more than 70 new Buying companies from 28 countries with the largest number coming from the United States, followed by China, Italy and South Korea.
Exhibitor participation reached 393 registered companies from nearly 50 countries, with the largest number of exhibitors arriving from the United Kingdom, France, South Korea and China, after the United States. Over 60 exhibiting companies from 15 countries were new to the market this year.
The AFM Campus was busier than ever as attendees took in 402 screenings including 63 World Premieres – three more than last year.
LocationEXPO’s second year drew 51 film commissions and agencies from around the world including from Korea, Panama, Russia, Spain and Thailand. Together the organizations presented more than US1 billion in production incentives and opportunities.
AFM put a bigger emphasis this year on education and expanded its programming bringing more than 150 international industry experts to its three stages. AFM Conferences drew an audience of more than 700 each day listening closely to advice and insights from the likes of industry leaders Jean Prewitt (IFTA), Charles Rivkin (MPAA), Cassian Elwes (Producer/Agent), John Friedberg (STX Entertainment), Milan Popelka (FilmNation) Victor Hadida (Metropolitan Filmexport), and Syrinthia Studer (Paramount).
Other notable speakers include producer Caryn Capotosto, Jeffrey Greenstein (Millennium Media), Basil Iwayk (Producer), Jonathan King (Participant Media), Kirsten Schaeffer (Women in Film, Los Angeles), Ryan Turek (Blumhouse Productions), and Farhaad Virani (Amazon Studios).
The American Film Market is produced by the Independent Film & Television Alliance. More information on the AFM can be found at: AmericanFilmMarket.com.
About the American Film Market®
The American Film Market (AFM®) is the world’s largest motion picture business event. Over 7,000 industry leaders from more than 80 countries converge in Santa Monica for eight days of deal-making, screenings, conferences, networking and parties. Participants include acquisition and development executives, agents, attorneys, directors, distributors, festival directors, financiers, film commissioners, producers, writers, the world’s press and all those who provide services to the motion picture industry.
Unlike a film festival, the AFM is a marketplace – with over 200,000 square feet of exhibition space – where production and distribution deals are closed. In just eight days, more than US$1 billion in deals will be sealed – on both completed films and those in every stage of development and production.
Participants may view more than 500 screenings of 300+ films – the majority world or U.S. premieres. Titles range from big budget blockbusters that will be released by the major studios to lower budget art and genre films recognized at international film festivals.
About the Independent Film & Television Alliance®
The Independent Film & Television Alliance (IFTA®) is the global trade association of the independent motion picture and television programming industry. Headquartered in Los Angeles, IFTA represents and provides significant entertainment industry services to more than 140 Member companies in 21 countries, consisting of independent production and distribution companies, sales agents, and financial institutions engaged in production finance. Collectively, IFTA Members produce more than 400 independent films and countless hours of television programming each year, generating more than $4.5 billion in distribution revenues annually. For more information on IFTA, please visit www.IFTA-online.org.
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Jennifer Garnick
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