American Film Market^® Grows Programming to Spotlight Immersive Technology for its 40^th Edition

New Immersive Summit presented by Winston Baker Set for November 9
 
Los Angeles, CA — June 26, 2019 – The American Film Market (AFM®) announced today the addition of programming to spotlight immersive content and technology for the 2019 market. AFM will celebrate its 40^th edition November 6-13 in Santa Monica, CA.
 
For the AFM’s expansion into Extended Reality (XR), the Immersive Summit presented by Winston Baker will take place on November 9 at the Fairmont Miramar Hotel. The half-day Summit will be a collaborative and educational event for creatives, buyers, sellers and innovators of the XR industry. The program will include keynotes and panel discussions featuring creators, international industry experts and decision makers, to address the stages of bringing immersive content, such as virtual and augmented reality, to market.
 
“The rapid developments in immersive technology are creating opportunities for artists, producers and entrepreneurs,” AFM Managing Director Jonathan Wolf commented. “The Immersive Summit is a perfect fit for our global participants who seek a glimpse into their future.”
 
“As the AR/VR industry matures, it’s crucial to provide a platform which supports immersive projects from development to distribution. We are honored and excited to join forces to bring our Immersive Summit series to the American Film Market,” said Katherine Winston and Amy Baker, Co-Founders of Winston Baker, in a joint statement.
 
Registration for the 2019 American Film Market is now open. For exhibition and registration information, please visit the AFM website.
 

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.

Media Contact
Jennifer Garnick
VP, Communications
jgarnick@ifta-online.org
+310.446.1006

AFM’s New Screenings on Demand For Producers Offers 26 Films Available For Representation

Los Angeles, CA – November 3, 2018 – The American Film Market® expanded its On Demand program for 2018 to producers seeking worldwide sales representation, offering them the opportunity to screen their films online for AFM sales agents.
 
The films are available for viewing at AFM On Demand Viewing Stations in the Loews Hotel and at AFM Screenings On Demand through March 31, 2019.
 
Below are the 26 films being offered to sales agents:
 
A Cannabis Tree, DL Hero LLC
Adventures of Jubeez: Kid Boss, Motion Pix
America’s Common Ground, Edge TV Productions
Beyond What Remains, Tharos, Inc.
Blue Lives Matter, Police and Fire Publishing
Busman’s Holiday, Smithard Communications
Carrousel, Amilux Film
Crossing, Offshore
Danni, Take It To The Stage Films, Inc.
Driver X, Paradigm Consulting
GUCA: Serbian Detox, Rhymes of a Madman Production
Kaneh Movie, DL Hero LLC
The Kidnapping of A Fish, That Storm Films, Inc.
Nomades, Paras Films
Nursey Rhyme of a Madman, Rhymes of a Madman Production
Palpitations of Dust, Saffron Splash
Papa, Di Productions
Public Transportation, Jita Films
Shooting Clerks, Auld Reekie Media
Sol De Medianoche, Mizoguchi
Tin City, Juice Media Productions, LLC
TMI, Glenn Ripps (Independent)
Underneath The Same Moon, VFXLab
Virgin Cheerleaders in Chains, Earthshine Design Productions LLC
You Have a Nice Flight, Vietwins Productions LLC
Zeroes, 1975
 

AFM^® Opens With New Buyers And Exhibitors Biggest Programming Lineup To Date More Than 400 Screenings Dedicated Four-Day LocationEXPO^®

Los Angeles, CA – October 30, 2018 – The American Film Market (AFM) will open the doors for its 39th installment tomorrow, October 31. Thousands of global film industry players, including finance, production, sales and distribution executives will be in attendance for screenings, meetings, networking, panels, and to solidify deals on both completed films and thousands of projects destined to reach the audiences around the world. This marks the AFM’s 28th year in the city of Santa Monica.
 
The AFM will welcome at least 70 companies from 28 countries attending for the first time as buyers with the largest number coming from the United States, followed by China, Italy and South Korea, as well as Canada, Germany, Spain, Taiwan, and Vietnam. Buyers from the world’s leading digital platforms are also confirmed.
 
In addition, AFM will have at least 60 new exhibiting companies from 15 countries in the market. Of the 400 exhibitors, the United States will have the biggest presence with 160, followed by the United Kingdom (34), France (29), South Korea (22), China (17), Japan (13), Russia (12) and Germany (11).
 
Total attendance is projected to be more than 7,000. Final attendance figures will be announced later in the market.
 
For 2018, the AFM is placing an increased emphasis on industry intelligence and education, expanding its programming lineup of Conferences, Roundtables, Workshops and Spotlight Events, and adding a third venue – the AFM Gallery at Le Merigot Hotel. More than 150 speakers will take the stage for 40 sessions featuring a diverse array of topics to support virtually every facet of the business.
 
Jonathan Wolf, AFM Managing Director commented, “New distribution companies and platforms are launching, connecting independent films with audiences throughout the world. We look forward to welcoming all to the AFM. And in Hollywood’s backyard, AFM is the perfect environment for international experts, leaders and visionaries to engage in discussions and debates.”
 
The Conference Series begins Friday, Nov. 2 with The Global Perspective featuring a dialogue with Independent Film & Television Alliance® President/CEO Jean Prewitt and Motion Picture Association of America® Chairman/CEO Charles Rivkin on the major challenges and opportunities facing the film industry and how their organizations are addressing them. Following, two panels focused on business strategies and the evolving marketplace will bring together executives Arianne Fraser, Highland Film Group, John Friedberg, STX Entertainment, and Milan Popelka, FilmNation Entertainment, and buyers/distributors Sasha Bühler, Constantin Film, Victor Hadida, Metropolitan Filmexport, and Syrinthia Studer, Paramount.
 
A new half-day Blockchain Conference on Saturday, Nov. 3 will feature companies using the technology to transform the film industry, including FilmChain/Big Couch UK, AMBI Media Group/TaTaTu, Cinemarket, StreamSpace, Wardour Studios, Cinezen Blockchained Entertainment AB, and White Rabbit.
 
Among the new Roundtables is International Awakening: Investing in Gender Diversity for Expanding Audiences Around the Globe. In partnership with ReFrame, this session will take place Sunday, Nov. 4 with Jonathan King, Participant Media, Maguerite Pigott, CMPA (Canadian Media Producers Association) Kirsten Schaffer, Women in Film, Los Angeles, Alison Thompson, Cornerstone Films, and producer Janet Yang.
 
Other notable speakers include producer Caryn Capotosto (Won’t You Be My Neighbor?), producer Cassian Elwes (Mudbound), Jeffrey Greenstein, Millennium Media, producer Basil Iwayk (Sicario), Eric Smith, Facebook, Ryan Turek, Blumhouse Productions, Farhaad Virani, Amazon Studios, and Gary Michael Walters, Bold Films.
 
Market Screenings are running strong this year with more than 400 screenings of 326 films showing across 26 screens. Of these, 64 films will be World Premieres including Beautiful Darkness starring Matthew Broderick and Chloe Sevigny (Octane Entertainment); Killers Anonymous starring Gary Oldman and Jessica Alba (Fabrication Films); Killerman starring Liam Hemsworth (The Solution Entertainment Group), and Stano starring Joe Manganiello and Sofia Vergara (Kathy Morgan International).
 
Among the slate of films to screen are candidates for the Academy Awards® Foreign Language Nomination including Switzerland’s submission Eldorado (Playtime) and Germany’s Never Look Away (Beta Cinema).
 
LocationEXPO, in its second year, will take place over the course of four days of AFM – November 3-6 – in a dedicated exhibit space in the Loews Hotel. More than 60 Film Commissions, Government Agencies, Production Facilities and Services with a combined offering of billions of dollars in production incentives and resources will be represented.
 
In order to best serve its growing attendance and to provide improved access and resources for all of its participants traveling in from more than 80 countries, an AFM badge will now be required by all to enter the Loews Hotel.
 
The American Film Market is produced by the Independent Film & Television Alliance.
For more visit AmericanFilmMarket.com. For AFM’s Programming Lineup: AmericanFilmMarket.com/programs-events; For the Exhibitor List: AmericanFilmMarket.com/exhibitor-list; For AFM Screenings: TheFilmCatalogue.com/afm/screening-schedule.
 

60+ Film Commissions, Production Services & Facilities Set For LocationEXPO^® @ AFM^® November 3-6

Los Angeles, CA – October 24, 2018 – LocationEXPO®, launched in 2017, will have an even bigger presence at this year’s American Film Market. Taking place over four days of the market – November 3 – 6 – more than 60 Film Commissions, Government Agencies, Production Facilities and Services from around the globe with a combined offering of billions of dollars in production incentives, are confirmed to participate.
 
LocationEXPO® will be located in a dedicated exhibition space within the Loews Hotel making it an indispensable resource for AFM attendees to learn and gather information about locations, production incentives, services, and resources available to their projects and films worldwide.
 

Executives From Amazon, Facebook, Filmnation, Paramount, Participant Media, STX and More Join American Film Market^® Speaker Lineup

Over 60 Exhibiting Companies from 15 Countries New for 2018

 
Los Angeles, CA – October 23, 2018 – The American Film Market® announced today additional speakers confirmed for its expanded programming of Conferences, Roundtables, Workshops, and Spotlight Events. This year’s market is taking place October 31 – November 7 in Santa Monica.
 
Joining The Global Perspective Conference are Milan Popelka, COO, FilmNation, John Friedberg, President of International Sales, STX, Sasha Buhler, Head of Acquisitions, Constantin Film, Victoria Hadida, President, Metropolitan Filmexport, Syrinthia Studer, EVP, Worldwide Acquisitions, Paramount and Jeremy Kay, U.S. Editor, Screen International. The Wall Street Journal’s Erich Schwartzel will moderate the opening discussion with film industry leaders Jean Prewitt President/CEO, Independent Film & Television Alliance® and Charles Rivkin Chairman/CEO, Motion Picture Association of America®.
 
Farhaad Virani, Amazon Studios, Eric Smith, Facebook, and Jonathan King, Participant Media have joined AFM® Roundtables. Ashok Amritraj, Hyde Park Entertainment, Miranda Bailey, Cold Iron Pictures, Scott Edel, Loeb & Loeb, and Casting Director/Producer Heidi Levitt have been added to AFM Conference sessions. See the full schedule and speaker list at americanfilmmarket.com/programs-events/.
 
AFM also announced today that at least 60 companies from 15 countries will be making their AFM debut as market exhibitors. These companies come from all corners of the globe, including Australia, Canada, China, Finland, France, Hungary, Hong Kong, Japan, Mongolia, the Philippines, Poland, Romania, Russia, South Korea, the United Kingdom and United States. The market is set to welcome over 400 exhibitors from more than 40 countries and overall participants from more than 80 counties.
 
A sampling of new exhibiting companies for this year includes; Bona Film Group, Digital Content LLC, GloriaFX, Gravitas Ventures, Loco Films, Locus Corporation, Mandarin Motion Pictures Distribution Limited, Match Point, North of Two, Pink Parrot Media, Riki Group, Tangren Cultural Film Group, Vedado Communications, Viva Communications Inc., and Youku.
 

70+ Buying Companies From 28 Countries New To 2018 American Film Market^®

Official Artwork for 39th AFM Revealed
 

Los Angeles, CA – October 16, 2018 – The 39th American Film Market® (AFM®), set for October 31-November 7 in Santa Monica, announced today that more than 70 companies from 28 countries will be attending AFM for the first time as buyers. These companies hail from 28 countries, with the largest numbers coming from the United States with 19 companies; nine from China; four from both Italy and South Korea; three from countries that include Canada, Germany, Spain, Taiwan, and Vietnam; and two apiece from Hong Kong, Japan, Mexico, the Netherlands, and Sweden.
 
A sampling of the new buying companies for this year includes: Blue Finch Film Releasing, DREAMAX MEDIA, Eagle Communication Co., Ltd., DYNIT, Elevation Pictures, High Octane Pictures, Indie Rights, Mango Films Vietnam, Sun Film Group, Tangren Cultural Film Group, Times Film Group, LLC, Vudu, Weltkino Filmverleih GmbH, and Youplanet Pictures.
 
Jonathan Wolf, AFM Managing Director commented, “Every year new distribution companies and platforms are launched, connecting independent films with audiences throughout the world. We look forward to welcoming all to their first AFM.”
 
In addition, the AFM today unveiled its official artwork for 2018 which will be used throughout the run of the market (see attached).
 
# # #
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 – 29 new films every two hours – 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.

 
Media Contact
Jennifer Garnick
VP, Communications
jgarnick@ifta-online.org
+310.446.1006

Entering the Loews Hotel Now Requires an AFM Badge

Los Angeles, CA – July 19, 2018 – Entering the Loews Hotel will now require an AFM Badge. “We are making this change to accommodate AFM’s growing attendance and to provide improved access and resources for all of our global participants,” said AFM Managing Director Jonathan Wolf. “The lobby will now be a proper venue for casual meetings or a drink at the bar.”
 
The 39th American Film Market, happening October 31 – November 7 in Santa Monica, anticipates approximately 7,000 participants from 80 countries.