Author: Darlene

Entering the Loews Hotel Now Requires an AFM Badge

Posted on by Darlene

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.
 

# # #

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

2018 American Film Market to Welcome 150+ Speakers to its Stages

Posted on by Darlene

2018 American Film Market® to Welcome 150+ Speakers to its Stages

Los Angeles, CA – October 3, 2018 – The American Film Market (AFM®) has announced today initial speakers confirmed for its expanded programming of Conferences, Roundtables, Workshops, and Spotlight Events which run alongside the AFM’s marketplace and industry screenings. This year’s market is taking place October 31 – November 7 in Santa Monica.
 
More than 150 speakers will take the AFM stages to participate in 40+ sessions across three venues. An initial list of highlights includes:
 
Producers: Caryn Capotosto, Cassian Elwes, Basil Iwanyk, Khaliah Neal, Ben Stillman, Gary Michael Walters, and Janet Yang.
 
Industry Executives: Lisa Gutberlet, EVP, International Sales & Acquisitions, Blue Fox Entertainment; Alison Thompson, Co-President, Cornerstone Films; Janet Brown, EVP, Distribution, Gunpowder & Sky; Jeffrey Greenstein, Co-President, Millennium Media; Krista Wegener, SVP, Sales and Distribution, Participant Media; John Orlando, Head of Content, Sony Crackle; Ryan Suffern, Head of Documentary Division, The Kennedy/Marshall Company; Paul Broucek, President, Music, Warner Bros. Pictures; and Kirsten Schaffer, Executive Director, Women In Film, Los Angeles.
 
As previously announced, President/CEO of the Independent Film & Television Alliance®, Jean Prewitt, and Chairman/CEO of the Motion Picture Association of America®, Charles Rivkin, will kick off the Conference series with The Global Perspective, on Friday, November 2.
 
The 2018 speakers announced to date are:
 
Alan R. Milligan, White Rabbit
Marguerite Pigott, CMPA (Canadian Media Producers Association)
Alison Thompson, Cornerstone Films
Andrea Iervolino, AMBI Media Group and TaTaTu
Anthony Beaudoin, Union Bank
Barry Landis, Ribbow Media Group
Basil Iwanyk, Thunder Road Pictures
Ben Stillman, Black Bear Pictures
Billy Mernit, UCLA and Universal Pictures
Bradley M. Gallo, Amasia Entertainment
Bruce Eisen, Digital Advisors
Caryn Capotosto, Tremolo Productions
Cassian Elwes, Producer (Mudbound)
Chris Bueno, Ocean Avenue Entertainment
Clay Epstein, Film Mode Entertainment
Cody Zwieg, Gunpowder & Sky
Cynthia Tollett, Directors Guild of America
Dana Nachman, KTF Films
Darrien Michele Gipson, SAGindie
Dave McIntosh, Shout! Factory
David Kennedy, Saboteur Media
David Offenberg, Loyola Marymount
David White, SHIFT72
Dennis Dreith, Transparence Entertainment Group
Derek Doneen, Filmmaker, Kailash
Florian Glatz, Cinemarket
Gary Michael Walters, Bold Films
Germaine Franco, Composer and Music Producer
Irina Albita, Big Couch UK and FilmChain
Janet Brown, Gunpowder & Sky
Janet Yang, Producer
Jeffrey Greenstein, Millennium Media
John Orlando, Sony Crackle
John Sloss, Sloss Eckhouse LawCo and Cinetic Media
Jonathan Barkan, DreadCentral.com
JP Sarni, Stampede Ventures
Juliana Da Cunha Jacobsen, BF Distribution
Karl Hur, Mofac Creative Works
Kay S. Wolf, Writers Guild of America West
Khaliah Neal, Independent Producer, The Rachel Divide
Kim Roberts Hedgpeth, Film Musicians Secondary Markets Fund
Kirsten Schaffer, Women In Film, Los Angeles
Ko Eun Jung, Digitalidea VFX
Krista Wegener, Participant Media
Lisa Gutberlet, Blue Fox Entertainment
Lucy Mukerjee, Outfest & Newfest
Mathew Joubert, SHIFT72
Matt Holzman, KCRW’s “The Document”
Michael Berman, iN Demand
Min Sun Hye, WYSIWYG Studios
Dr. Nelson Granados, Pepperdine Graziadio Business School and Forbes Contributor
Paul Bales, The Asylum
Paul Broucek, Warner Bros. Pictures
Paul Hertzberg, CineTel Films, Inc.
Peter Baxter, Slamdance Film Festival and Producer
Peter Broderick, Paradigm Consulting
Pilar Alessandra, On the Page
Raymond C. Nutt, Fathom Events
Richard Botto, Stage 32
Robert Binning, StreamSpace
Robert Menzies, Zed Filmworks
Ruzanna Kegeyan, Arclight Films
Ryan Broussard, Media Services
Ryan Suffern, The Kennedy/Marshall Company
Ryan Turek, Blumhouse Productions
Sam Klebanov, Cinezen Blockchained Entertainment AB
Shaked Berenson, Producer
Shawn Williamson, Brightlight Pictures
Stephen Hwang, Studio Macrograph
Steven Wolfson, UCLA
Sunwoo Nam, W2 Studios
Tamara Birkemoe, Foresight Unlimited
Tobin Ambrust, Virgin Produced
 
View the full programming lineup for AFM 2018. For badge and ticket information, please visit the AFM website.
 

# # #

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

300+ Feature Films Including 64 World Premieres Set For Screenings At 39th American Film Market

Posted on by Darlene

300+ Feature Films Including 64 World Premieres Set For Screenings At 39th American Film Market®

Films Include Onscreen and Behind-the-Camera Talent such as Anna Paquin, Ben Kingsley, Chloe Sevigny, Cuba Gooding Jr., Diane Kruger, Gary Oldman, Joe Manganiello, Kit Harrington, Kristen Stewart, Laura Dern, Liam Hemsworth, Matthew Broderick, Natalie Portman, Nicolas Cage, Sofia Vergara, Stanley Tucci, Susan Sarandon, and Xavier Dolan
 
Academy Award Foreign Language Submissions Eldorado (Switzerland) and Never Look Away (Germany) Confirmed to Screen
 
Los Angeles, CA – October 8 – The 2018 American Film Market® (AFM®), set for October 31-November 7 in Santa Monica, announced today its initial lineup of screenings set for 2018. More than 300 films including 64 world premieres will screen over the week for thousands of film buyers and industry professionals from more than 80 countries.
 
Films making their World Premieres include: Asterix® The Secret Of The Magic Potion, from directors Louis Clichy and Alexandre Astier and starring Christian Clavier, Guillaume Briat, and Elie Semoun (SND Groupe M6); Balloon, from director Michael Herbig and starring Friedrich Mücke and Karoline Schuch (STUDIOCANAL); Beautiful Darkness, from directors Monty Whitebloom and Andy Delaney and starring Matthew Broderick and Chloe Sevigny (Octane Entertainment); Fidel Up Close, a documentary from directors Gabriel Beristain, Roberto Chile, and Eduardo ‘Tato’ Flores (Vedado Films); Killerman, from writer/director Malik Bader and starring Liam Hemsworth (The Solution Entertainment Group); Killers Anonymous, from writer/director Martin Owen and starring Gary Oldman and Jessica Alba (Fabrication Films); Running With the Devil, from writer/director Jason Cabell and starring Nicolas Cage and Laurence Fishburne (Moonstone Entertainment); and Stano from director Raymond De Felitta and starring Joe Manganiello, and Sofia Vergara (Kathy Morgan International (KMI)).
 
Other films of note to screen include: A Man in a Hurry, from director Hervé Mimran and starring Fabrice Luchini and Leila Bekhti (Gaumont); Bayou Caviar, which marks Cuba Gooding Jr.’s writer-director debut and stars Famke Janssen; Celebration, a documentary on Yves Saint Laurent from director Oliver Meyrou (Playtime); Holy Lands, from writer/director Amanda Sthers and starring James Caan and Tom Hollander (STUDIOCANAL); Hot Air, from director Frank Coraci and starring Steve Coogan and Neve Campbell (Great Point Media); JT, from writer/director Justin Kelly and starring Kristen Stewart, Laura Dern, and Diane Kruger (Fortitude International); Loro, from director Paolo Sorrentino and starring Toni Servillo, Elena Sofia Ricci, and Riccardo Scamarcio (Pathé International); Master Z: The Ip Man Legacy, from director Yuen Woo-Ping and starring Michelle Yeoh and Jin Zhang (Mandarin Motion Pictures); My Masterpiece, from director Gaston Duprat and starring Guillermo Francella and Luis Brandoni (Latido Films); Nomis, from writer/director David Raymond and starring Ben Kingsley and Stanley Tucci (Fortitude International); Rosie, from director Paddy Breathnach and starring Sarah Greene and Moe Dunford (Protagonist Pictures); Saint Judy, from director Sean Hanish and starring Michelle Monaghan and Common (Blue Fox Entertainment); Tell It To The Bees, from director Annabel Jankel and starring Anna Paquin and Holliday Grainger (Film Constellation); The Death & Life of John F. Donovan, from director Xavier Dolan and starring Kit Harrington and Natalie Portman (Seville International); and The Panama Papers, from director Alex Winter and narrated by Elijah Wood (Great Point Media) and The Purity of Vengeance, from director Christoffer Boe and starring Nikolaj Lie Kaas (TrustNordisk).
 
Among the slate of international films to screen are two candidates for the Academy Awards Foreign Language Nomination: Switzerland’s submission Eldorado, from documentary filmmaker Markus Imhoof (Playtime); and Germany’s submission Never Look Away, from writer/director Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck and starring Tom Schilling, Paula Beer, and Sebastian Koch (Beta Cinema).
 
For a complete list of the films and the screening schedule, visit: The Film Catalogue.
 

# # #

 
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

American Film Market Announces Expanded Programming For 39th Edition

Posted on by Darlene

American Film Market® Announces Expanded Programming For 39th Edition

IFTA’s Jean Prewitt and MPAA’s Charles Rivkin to Open the Global Perspective Conference
 
Panels and Partners include Gender Diversity with ReFrame, Horror with Dread Central, Micro-Budget with Slamdance, Distribution in China with UCFTI, and a new Blockchain Conference
 
Los Angeles, CA – September 12, 2018 – The American Film Market (AFM®) has announced today the expansive programming lineup for its Conferences, Roundtables, Workshops, and Spotlight Events which will feature international industry experts, decision makers, and academics, and run alongside the AFM’s industry screenings and marketplace. This year’s market is taking place October 31- November 7 in Santa Monica.
 
AFM’s panel programming is anchored by its renowned five-day Conference Series which this year launches with The Global Perspective Conference. The half-day event taking place on Friday, Nov. 2 will open with a discussion between film industry leaders President/CEO of the Independent Film & Television Alliance®, Jean Prewitt, and Chairman/CEO of the Motion Picture Association of America®, Charles Rivkin, on the major challenges and opportunities facing the film industry and how their organizations are addressing them. The opening dialogue will be followed by two panel sessions that will bring together high-level producers, financiers, buyers and distributors to discuss business strategies and how the marketplace is evolving.
 
Also new to the lineup is a half-day Conference dedicated to Blockchain set for Saturday, Nov. 3. The event will be moderated by Pepperdine professor and Forbes writer Nelson Granados, with presentations and discussions with companies that are transforming independent film financing, production, and distribution with this groundbreaking technology.
 
In addition, this year’s AFM Roundtables, which explore specialized and timely issues, will take place in a larger venue, the AFM Gallery at Le Merigot Hotel, and feature sessions and programming partners including:

  • International Awakening: Investing in Gender Diversity for Expanding Audiences Around the Globe – Presented in partnership with ReFrame
  • Using Intellectual Property to Boost the Visibility of LGBTQ Characters – Presented in partnership with Outfest
  • Boosting Your Micro-Budget – Presented in partnership with Slamdance
  • Why Do Some Horror Films Work While Others Don’t? – Presented in partnership with Dread Central
  • Producing Passion Documentaries – Moderated by KCRW’s Matt Holzman

AFM Managing Director Jonathan Wolf commented, “AFM is the perfect environment for international experts, leaders and visionaries to engage in discussions and debates. Our expanded programming of more than 40 sessions will address the topics most important to AFM’s global participants.”
 
After a highly successful launch in 2017, the Writer’s Workshops will return to AFM. Helmed by UCLA and other academic instructors, these four workshops cover screenwriting and storytelling tips and techniques.
 
To round out the market’s panel programming, an array of Spotlight Events with topics ranging from Understanding Distribution in China to Working with the U.S. Guilds will join the AFM’s popular returning Conferences including Pitch, Finance, Production, and Distribution.
 
View the full lineup of sessions for AFM 2018. For badge and ticket information, please visit the AFM website.
 

###

 
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

2017 American Film Market Wraps With an Increase in Attendance

Posted on by Darlene

2017 American Film Market Wraps With an Increase in Attendance

Overall attendances exceed 2016 while the Chinese market shows increased presence

LOS ANGELES, CA – November 9, 2017: The 38th American Film Market (AFM®) wrapped yesterday with exhibitor and attendee numbers up, in addition to a significant increase in films screening.

In total, 7,415 participants visited the Loews Hotel in Santa Monica, as attendance rose by 6%. The market also saw 1,476 buyers arrive from 71 countries with China and Taiwan each seeing growth of 35% more buyers.

Overall exhibitor participation was up 18% with 445 registered exhibiting companies, with the largest number of exhibitors arriving from the United Kingdom, France, South Korea, and China, after the USA.

LocationEXPO’s first year drew 61 film commissions and agencies from around the world including Chile, Spain, Norway, New Zealand, Thailand and Russia. Together the organizations presented more than US1 billion in production incentives.

AFM Conferences drew an international audience of more than 700 each day listening closely to advice and insights from the likes of Cassian Elwes (Producer/Agent), Jesse Sisgold, (Skydance Media), Adrian Alperovich (OddLot Entertainment), Tobin Armbrust (Virgin Produced), Rebecca Cammarata (Stay Gold Features), Brian O’Shea (The Exchange), Alison Thompson (Cornerstone Films) and Sam Brown (STXfilms).

AFM Roundtables featured Geena Davis (Actress/Producer/Activist) and Wendy Calhoun (Writer/Producer) on the popular ‘The Future is Female.” Roundtables focusing on Documentaries, Faith & Family films and LGBTQ representation in cinema included Anna Godas (Dogwoof), Ian Bricke (Netflix) and Clare Crean (The Works International).

The newly introduced Writer’s Workshop also proved to be a highly popular addition to the AFM experience with instructors from USC and UCLA teaching an audience of 400.

The AFM Campus was busier than ever as attendees took in screenings of 337 films – 40 more than last year – including 264 Market Premieres and 61 World Premieres. An additional 78 films screened on demand.

The American Film Market is produced by the Independent Film & Television Alliance, www.IFTA-online.org.

More information on the AFM can be found at: AmericanFilmMarket.com.

About the American Film Market

The American Film Market is the world’s largest motion picture business event. Over 7,000 industry leaders converge in Santa Monica for eight days of deal-making, screenings, conferences, networking and parties. Participants come from more than 80 countries and 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.

With 7,000 attendees, 500 screenings, 300 exhibiting distributors, and the industry’s largest Conference series, AFM is the pivotal destination for independent filmmakers and business people from all over the world.

Media Contacts

The DDA Group
AFMInquiries@ddapr.com
Los Angeles: +1.310.205.4868
London: +44 2079 329 800

38th Edition of the American Film Market Sees Significant Increase in Exhibitor Participation

Posted on by Darlene

38th Edition of the American Film Market Sees Significant Increase in Exhibitor Participation

Number of Sellers, Films Screening and Overall Attendance Surges from 2016

LOS ANGELES, CA – November 5, 2017: The American Film Market (AFM®), which opened its doors on Wednesday and runs until November 8 in Santa Monica, has seen a significant surge in participants this year with 445 exhibiting companies attending, an 18% increase over 2016. Notable growth comes from around the world, including South Korea (+13), Italy (+9), Romania (+9) France (+5) and Russia (+5). Exhibitors from India (3) participated after a three-year absence for the country.

AFM is seeing a strong contingent of first-time buying companies, highlighting the continued growth and prevalence of the market. The new companies, at least 76 so far, are coming from China (13), South Korea (11), India (3) and 30 other countries. Total attendance is forecast at more than 7,400, a 6% increase from 2016. Final attendance numbers will be available at the end of the market.

“The uptick in participation signals that the Independents are adapting to changing marketplace and can now confidently forecast future values,” said Jonathan Wolf, Managing Director of the American Film Market.

Attendees are benefiting from a number of new events and initiatives this year, including the debut of LocationEXPO® which has welcomed more than 60 Film Commissions from around the world. The full list of participating commissions and agencies is at AmericanFilmMarket.com/LocationEXPO.

This year the AFM also launched AFM Screenings On Demand, an online screenings platform that allows sales companies to screen their films privately for Buyers before, during and/or after the Market. AFM Screenings On Demand concludes on March 31st, one week after Hong Kong FILMART.

AFM Conferences, Roundtables and Special Events are presenting over 130 speakers including Lionsgate’s Thomas Hughes, OddLot Entertainment’s Adrian Alperovich, Independent Producer/Agent Cassian Elwes, Skydance Media’s Jesse Sisgold, Sidney Kimmel Entertainment’s John Penotti, Black Bear Pictures’ Ben Stillman and STX Films’ Sam Brown. The full program is available at: AmericanFilmMarket.com/programs-events.

337 films are screening at the AFM – 40 more than last year – including 264 Market Premieres and 61 World Premieres, plus 76 films screening on demand. Visit www.TheFilmCatalogue.com to view the full screening schedule including casts and synopses.

The American Film Market is produced by the Independent Film & Television Alliance, www.IFTA-online.org.
More information on the AFM can be found at: AmericanFilmMarket.com.

About the American Film Market

The American Film Market is the world’s largest motion picture business event. Over 7,000 industry leaders converge in Santa Monica for eight days of deal-making, screenings, conferences, networking and parties. Participants come from more than 80 countries and 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.

With 7,000 attendees, 500 screenings, 300 exhibiting distributors, and the industry’s largest Conference series, AFM is the pivotal destination for independent filmmakers and business people from all over the world.

Media Contacts

The DDA Group
AFMInquiries@ddapr.com
Los Angeles: +1.310.205.4868
London: +44 2079 329 800

American Film Market to Host Global Industry Experts at Conferences, Roundtables and Workshops

Posted on by Darlene

American Film Market to Host Global Industry Experts at Conferences, Roundtables and Workshops

Speakers include Focus Features’ Kiska Higgs, Lionsgate’s Thomas Hughes, OddLot Entertainment’s Adrian Alperovich, Producer/Agent Cassian Elwes, Skydance Media’s Jesse Sisgold and STX Films’ Sam Brown

LOS ANGELES, CA – October 30, 2017: The American Film Market (AFM®) today announced its full list of speakers for their conferences, roundtables and workshops. A large number of leading independent producers, distributors, financiers and marketing executives are confirmed to participate. This year’s market is taking place November 1 – 8, in Santa Monica.

Conferences on finance, pitching, production and distribution connect attendees to thought leaders from across the industry, providing exclusive access to insider knowledge. Roundtables explore specialized topics and timely issues in an intimate setting.

Confirmed speakers and moderators, in alphabetical order, include:

  • Adrian Alperovich, COO, OddLot Entertainment
  • Adrian Ward, SVP & Manager, Entertainment Industries Division, Pacific Mercantile Bank
  • Adrian Alperovich, COO, OddLot Entertainment
  • Adrian Ward, SVP & Manager, Entertainment Industries Division, Pacific Mercantile Bank
  • Alexis Garcia, Partner, Global Finance & Distribution, WME
  • Alison Thompson, Co-President, Cornerstone Films
  • Andy Bohn, Co-Founder & Partner, The Film Arcade
  • Anjay Nagpal, SVP Production & Distribution, Bron Studios
  • Anna Godas, CEO, Dogwoof
  • Barbara Mudge, President & Founder, Worldwide Film Entertainment
  • Ben Stillman, SVP, Black Bear Pictures
  • Brian O’Shea, CEO, The Exchange
  • Bruce Eisen, President, Digital Advisors
  • Cassian Elwes, Independent Producer/Agent
  • Christine D’Souza Gelb, Agent, WME
  • Clay Epstein, President, Film Mode Entertainment
  • Cynthia Tollett, Assistant Executive Director, Directors Guild of America
  • Dana Lustig, Principal, Dana Lustig Productions
  • Darrien Michele Gipson, National Director, SAGindie
  • David Austin, EVP, Bridgestone Multimedia
  • DeVon Franklin, Producer & CEO, Franklin Entertainment
  • Felix Tsang, Sales and Acquisitions Manager, Golden Scene Company Limited
  • Geena Davis, Actress, Producer, Activist
  • Gerren Crochet, Packaging Agent, Film Finance and Distribution, The Gersh Agency
  • Hanny Patel, VP, Video Marketing, AT&T Entertainment Group
  • Ian Bricke, Director, Content Acquisition, Netflix
  • Jen McGowan, Director
  • Jesse Sisgold, President/COO, Skydance Media
  • Jim Whitaker, Producer, A Wrinkle in Time
  • Joe Chianese, EVP, EP Financial Solutions
  • John Penotti, President, Sidney Kimmel Entertainment
  • Kay S. Wolf, Senior Representative/Member Organizing Department, Writers Guild of America West
  • Kevin Downes, Producer & President, Kevin Downes Production & South West Film Group
  • Kevin Iwashina, Founder & CEO, Preferred Content
  • Kiska Higgs, Head of Acquisitions and Co-Productions, Focus Features
  • Laurens Grant, Director & Producer
  • Lisa Remington, Producer
  • Lisa Wilson, Partner, The Solution Entertainment Group
  • Lucy Mukerjee-Brown, Director of Programming, Outfest & Newfest
  • Mark Damon, CEO & Chairman, Foresight Unlimited
  • Martin Katz, Founder and President, Prospero Pictures
  • Neema Barnette, Director
  • Patrick Frater, Asia Bureau Chief, Variety
  • Paul Bales, Partner, The Asylum
  • Paul Hanson, CEO, Covert Media
  • Paul Hertzberg, President & CEO, CineTel Films, Inc.
  • Pilar Alessandra, Instructor/Consultant, On The Page
  • Rebecca Cammarata, Director of Development, Stay Gold Features
  • Richard Botto, Founder & CEO, Stage 32
  • Rick Bonn, Head of Development & Acquisitions, Pure Flix Entertainment
  • Russell Levine, CEO, Route One Films
  • Sam Brown, Head of Production, STXfilms
  • Shirley Davis, Executive Vice President, Physical Production, Alcon Entertainment, LLC
  • Stefan Lütje, Partner/Shareholder, Greenberg Traurig, LLP
  • Steve Chan Chi-Fat, Director, Weeds on Fire
  • Tania Jones, VP of Marketing & Customer Service, Shift72
  • Thomas Hughes, EVP, Worldwide Digital Distribution, Lionsgate
  • Tobin Armbrust, President, Worldwide Production & Acquisitions, Virgin Produced
  • Tom Ara, Shareholder, Greenberg Traurig, LLP
  • Vicky Wong, Director, Trivisa
  • Wendy Calhoun, Writer/Producer, EMPIRE, NASHVILLE, JUSTIFIED

Conference Schedule

Friday, November 3
Finance Conference I: The Big Picture

  • The Future of Global Film Finance
  • Spotlight Sessions

Saturday, November 4
Pitch Conference

  • Pitching Essentials
  • The 2-Minute Pitches

Sunday, November 5
Finance Conference II: Funding Films Today

  • Producing Studio Films with Independent Budgets
  • The Film Finance Matrix: From Script to Screen

Monday, November 6
Production Conference

  • Producing for the Pre-Sales Marketplace
  • What They Want: Inside the Studios

Tuesday, November 7
Distribution Conference

  • Working with Sales Agents
  • The Future of Video On Demand

Roundtable Schedule

Thursday, November 2

  • The Changing Hong Kong Movie Scene: What is New, How and Why?

Saturday, November 4

  • Building A Future For LGBTQ Film

Sunday, November 5

  • The Passion of the Film: Reaching the Faith Community
  • The Future is Female

Monday, November 6

  • Distributing & Monetizing Feature Documentaries

Tuesday, November 7

  • Working with the U.S. Guilds

Writers Workshop Sessions

Sunday, November 5

  • You Had Me At Page One
  • The Art of Cinematic Storytelling: Transforming Your Premise Into An Engaging Screenplay

Monday, November 6

  • ReVision: Seeing Your Script With New Eyes
  • Writing Compelling Characters

Special Events will include Engage: Navigating Hollywood’s Shifting Landscape, presented by Pepperdine Alumni Affairs and Pepperdine’s Institute for Entertainment, Media, and Culture.

Visit AmericanFilmMarket.com/programs-events to view the full program.

The American Film Market is produced by the Independent Film & Television Alliance, IFTA-online.org. More information on the AFM can be found at: AmericanFilmMarket.com.

About the American Film Market

The American Film Market is the world’s largest motion picture business event. Over 7,000 industry leaders converge in Santa Monica for eight days of deal-making, screenings, conferences, networking and parties. Participants come from more than 80 countries and 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.

With 7,000 attendees, 500 screenings, 300 exhibiting distributors, and the industry’s largest Conference series, AFM is the pivotal destination for independent filmmakers and business people from all over the world.

Media Contacts

The DDA Group
AFMInquiries@ddapr.com
Los Angeles: +1.310.205.4868
London: +44 2079 329 800

American Film Market’s LocationEXPO® Set with Over 50 Commissions & Agencies from Around the World

Posted on by Darlene

American Film Market’s LocationEXPO® Set with Over 50 Commissions & Agencies from Around the World

LOS ANGELES, CA – October 3, 2017: The American Film Market’s inaugural LocationEXPO, taking place at this year’s market, November 1 – 8, will welcome more than 50 Film Commissions and Government Agencies from around the world. Organizations participating at LocationEXPO come from as far afield as Chile, Spain, Norway, New Zealand, Thailand and Russia.
 
The diverse participants at LocationEXPO highlight the continuing growth and popularity of AFM among Film Commissions. LocationEXPO at AFM 2017 will connect Film Commissions and Government Agencies, who are collectively offering more than a billion dollars in production incentives, with AFM’s 7,000+ producers and distributors.
 
Access to the LocationEXPO booths is free; it does not require an AFM credential. Visit AmericanFilmMarket.com/LocationEXPO to view the full and growing list of LocationEXPO 2017 participants.
 
Facebook.com/LocationEXPO
LinkedIn.com/company/LocationEXPO
Twitter & Instagram: @LocationEXPO
 
The American Film Market is produced by the Independent Film & Television Alliance, www.ifta-online.org. More information on the AFM can be found at: https://americanfilmmarket.com/.
 
About the American Film Market
The American Film Market is the world’s largest motion picture business event. Over 7,000 industry leaders converge in Santa Monica for eight days of deal-making, screenings, conferences, networking and parties. Participants come from more than 80 countries and 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.
 
With 7,000 attendees, 500 screenings, 300 exhibiting distributors, and the industry’s largest Conference series, AFM is the pivotal destination for independent filmmakers and business people from all over the world.
 
Media Contacts
The DDA Group
AFMInquiries@ddapr.com
Los Angeles: +1.310.205.4868
London: +44 2079 329 800

American Film Market Unveils ‘AFM Screenings On Demand’

Posted on by Darlene

American Film Market Unveils “AFM Screenings On Demand”

LOS ANGELES, CA – AUGUST 15, 2017: The American Film Market® (AFM®) announced today that it will introduce an online screenings platform, AFM Screenings On Demand, in advance of this year’s market. The new platform will allow sales companies to screen their films privately for Buyers before, during and/or after the American Film Market.
 
AFM Screenings On Demand, which is free for invited viewers, will begin screening films on October 23, 2017, one week before AFM, and conclude on March 31, 2018, one week after Hong Kong Filmart. Additionally, on demand viewing stations will be available onsite at the AFM, providing a convenient viewing option throughout the market.
 
“AFM Screenings On Demand will make it easier for Buyers to see every film they are interested in,” said AFM Managing Director Jonathan Wolf. “And with online screenings starting a week before the market, Buyers will now be ready to make offers on completed films when they arrive on opening day.”
 
Each film’s online schedule can be customized, allowing exhibiting companies to choose when to make their films available. Modestly budgeted films are expected to begin online screening before the market, while films that screen in AFM theatres will likely rely on the service for catch-up screenings after the market.
 
AFM Screenings On Demand will use SHIFT72’s technology to provides studio approved Digital Rights Management and anti-piracy tools to securely stream premium content in HD quality.
 
The 38th edition of American Film Market will take place November 1–8 in Santa Monica.
 
Follow #AFM2017 and join the discussion:
@AFMOfficial
Linkedin.com/company/American-Film-Market
Facebook.com/AmericanFilmMarket
Instagram.com/AmericanFilmMarket
 
For media inquiries, please visit: AmericanFilmMarket.com/press
 

# # #

 
About the American Film Market
 
The American Film Market is the world’s largest motion picture business event. Over 7,000 industry leaders converge in Santa Monica for eight days of deal-making, screenings, conferences, networking and parties. Participants come from more than 80 countries and include acquisition and development executives, agents, attorneys, directors, distributors, festival directors, financiers, film commissioners, producers, writers, the world’s press 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.
 
With 7,000 attendees, 500 screenings, 300 exhibiting distributors, and the industry’s largest Conference series, AFM is the pivotal destination for independent filmmakers and business people from all over the world.
 
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 125 member companies from 20+ countries, consisting of independent production and distribution companies, sales agents, television companies, studio-affiliated companies, and financial institutions engaged in content finance. Collectively, IFTA Members produce more than 400 independent films and countless hours of television programming each year and generate more than $4.5 billion in distribution revenues annually.
 
As the voice and advocate for the independent film and television industry worldwide, the Alliance speaks out on matters of critical importance and, where appropriate, actively lobbies governments around the world in regard to measures directly affecting the independent industry. For more information on IFTA, please visit www.IFTA-online.org.
 
About SHIFT72
SHIFT72 is a New Zealand video technology company that provides secure video on demand platforms to the entertainment industry. SHIFT72’s video technology focuses on content protection and premium viewing experiences. SHIFT72’s platforms are equipped with world class anti-piracy tools and studio approved Digital Rights Management (DRM) which is why leading entertainment brands trust SHIFT72 to deliver and stream their premium content to global audiences. http://SHIFT72.com
 
Media Contacts
The DDA Group
AFMPress@ddapr.com
Los Angeles: +1.310.205.4868
London: +44.2079.329.800

American Film Market Launches ‘Writers Workshops’ Series For 2017

Posted on by Darlene

American Film Market Launches “Writers Workshops” Series For 2017

LOS ANGELES, CA – JULY 26, 2017: The American Film Market® (AFM®) announced today the launch of its new “Writers Workshops” series, which will have its inauguration at this year’s market. These immersive workshops, with instructors from top Universities including USC and UCLA, will take place on Sunday, November 5 and Monday, November 6.

With the AFM continuing to create new programs that amplify the education component for different segments of the industry, the “Writers Workshops” will serve as a platform and learning haven for screenwriters from around the world. The 38th edition of AFM will take place from November 1-8 in Santa Monica.

The following Writers Workshop sessions have been confirmed:

Sunday, November 5 | Writers Workshop I | 2:30pm – 5:30pm

“You Had Me at Page One”

Make the reader love you on the first page! Learn writing techniques that help your script hit the ground running. Through examples from your favorite scripts, we take a hard look at word choice, scene direction, dialogue approach, and the nuances of the page.

Instructor: Pilar Alessandra, Instructor/Consultant, On the Page

“The Art of Cinematic Storytelling: Transforming Your Premise into an Engaging Screenplay”

The greatest challenge facing all screenwriters, whether novice or professional, is the process of transforming a premise into a compelling, sustainable story. This workshop focuses solely on the art of the story, with an emphasis on such fundamentals as character development, super-objective, rising conflict, scene work, and three-act structure. Participants learn how to spot critical mistakes often made in the initial development of a screenplay’s narrative. The final goal of the workshop is a greater understanding of what makes a story work and a series of tools that participants can immediately apply to their current screenplay.

Instructor: Steven Wolfson, UCLA

Monday, November 6 | Writers Workshop II | 2:30pm – 5:30pm

“ReVision: Seeing Your Script with New Eyes”

If writing is rewriting, how can you best approach the task? This workshop lays out a pragmatic rewrite strategy, as well as identifying the larger questions a writer should ask when revising a script. It concludes with a hands-on exercise, in which participants examine a scene from a film script which has been intentionally sullied, and then attempt to rewrite it into sterling condition.

Instructor: Ken LaZebnik, Instructor, USC; Director, Stephens College MFA in Screenwriting

“Writing Compelling Characters”

No matter what genre you’re working in, getting your reader to empathize with and root for your story’s protagonist is one of the most important goals – if not THE most important goal – for a screenwriter to achieve. Using film clips, screenplay pages, and brief exercises, this workshop explores how to create powerful, memorable characters, and the most effective techniques for bringing them to life on the page.

Instructor: Billy Mernit, UCLA Instructor & Universal Studio Story Analyst

For more information, please visit:
https://americanfilmmarket.com/programs-events/#writers-workshops

For media inquiries, please visit:
https://americanfilmmarket.com/press

Join us on Twitter with @AFMOfficial and #AFM2017.

# # #

About the American Film Market
The American Film Market is the world’s largest motion picture business event. Over 7,000 industry leaders converge in Santa Monica for eight days of deal-making, screenings, conferences, networking and parties. Participants come from more than 80 countries and include acquisition and development executives, agents, attorneys, directors, distributors, festival directors, financiers, film commissioners, producers, writers, the world’s press 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.

With 7,000 attendees, 500 screenings, 300 exhibiting distributors, and the industry’s largest Conference series, AFM is the pivotal destination for independent filmmakers and business people from all over the world.

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 125 member companies from 20+ countries, consisting of independent production and distribution companies, sales agents, television companies, studio-affiliated companies, and financial institutions engaged in content finance. Collectively, IFTA Members produce more than 400 independent films and countless hours of television programming each year and generate more than $4.5 billion in distribution revenues annually.

As the voice and advocate for the independent film and television industry worldwide, the Alliance speaks out on matters of critical importance and, where appropriate, actively lobbies governments around the world in regard to measures directly affecting the independent industry. For more information on IFTA, please visit www.ifta-online.org.

Media Contacts
The DDA Group
AFMPress@ddapr.com
Los Angeles: +1.310.205.4868
London: +44.2079.329.800