The Independent Film & Television Alliance® (IFTA®) will relocate its industry flagship event, the American Film Market® (AFM®), to Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas for its 45th edition. Scheduled for November 5 to 10, 2024, this move marks a new chapter for AFM which has been held in Los Angeles and Santa Monica for over four decades.
The decision to move AFM to Las Vegas comes after a multi-city search and careful consideration of the needs of AFM’s exhibiting sales companies and buyers.
“After extensive research, discussions with the [IFTA] board and invaluable feedback from stakeholders, this move underscores our determination to evolving AFM to meet today’s industry needs,” said Clay Epstein, IFTA chairperson and president of Film Mode Entertainment. “The strength of the AFM lies in its ability to create community and present a sophisticated platform for all our participants’ activities in one convenient location. The Palms enables us to do all of that and beyond.”
Palms Casino Resort offers a wealth of modern facilities and conveniences, all in a single location for an enhanced market experience. Highlights include newly renovated rooms and suites for exhibitor office space and guest rooms, the Brenden Theatres’ 14 screen state-of-the-art multiplex, and more than 170,000 square feet of dedicated conference, meeting, and event space.
Las Vegas presents easy travel options, including domestic and international flights from over 160 locations, and its close proximity to Los Angeles, with over 35 daily flights, expands the options and allows AFM participants easy stopovers. Furthermore, Las Vegas offers a wealth of dining, sleeping, entertaining, and shopping opportunities, providing added value for AFM participants.
Major production, finance, sales and distribution companies, including Arclight Films, Blue Fox Entertainment, Blacktop International, Cinema Management Group, Cornerstone, The Exchange, Film Mode Entertainment, FilmNation Entertainment, Film Seekers, HanWay Films, A Higher Standard, Lakeshore Entertainment, Millennium Media, Myriad Pictures, NEON, Protagonist Pictures, The Asylum, The Solution Entertainment Group, Vision Films, WME Independent and XYZ Films have already committed to participating in AFM24 in the new Las Vegas Palms locale.
Jean Prewitt, IFTA president and CEO, commented, “AFM was created by the Independents and remains the Independents’ market. The industry has called for a fresh look at how the market can better serve a rapidly changing business. The board has made a monumental decision that allows us to better serve these needs. We look forward to introducing everyone to the new AFM venue and its offerings.”
As AFM prepares to make its debut in Las Vegas this fall, further details will be unveiled in the coming weeks and months.
