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    American Film Market unveils programming, speakers, LocationEXPO exhibitors

    By SHOOTUpdated:No Comments1266 Views
    LOS ANGELES --

    The American Film Market (AFM®) has released new details for its 43rd edition, including The AFM Sessions lineup and speakers, and LocationEXPO exhibit participants set for the event’s in-person return after two years online.  The AFM will commence in Santa Monica, Calif., at the Loews Beach Hotel and theatres throughout the city, Tuesday, November 1 and run for six days through Sunday, November 6. 

    The AFM Sessions presented by Cast & Crew and Spcine will feature a lineup of 30-plus sessions that will bring over 100 speakers to its two stages over four days, Nov. 2-5, including global thought-leaders Howard Cohen, Roadside Attractions, Ashley Stern, Picture Perfect Federation, Martin Moszkowicz, Constantin Film, Jeff Annison, Legion M, Jeffrey Greenstein, Millennium Media, and George Hamilton, Protagonist Pictures. Programming highlights include:    

    Finance: Strategies for Today’s VOD Dominated World 
    –Maxime Cottray, XYZ Films (EVP, production and finance), Peter Graham, 120 dB Films (principal), Deirdre Owens, Cast & Crew (VP, production incentive financing) and Jeremy Kay, Screen International (Americas editor). 

    Forecasting the Future for Independent Film   
    –David Fannon, Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment/Screen Media Ventures (EVP, distribution/president), Martin Moszkowicz, Constantin Film (president and chairman), Ashley Stern, Picture Perfect Federation/Federation Entertainment of America (president) and Patrick Frater, Variety (Asia editor). 

     Theatrical Marketplace Recovery for Independent Films
    –Howard Cohen, Roadside Attractions (co-president & co-founder), Jeffrey Greenstein, Millennium Media (president), Scott Shooman, IFC Entertainment (SVP, acquisitions) and Diana Lodderhose, Deadline, (international features editor). 

     Demystifying the Global VOD Landscape 
    –Nick Isaak, Gravitas Ventures (VP of sales), Peter Jarowey, Vertical Entertainment (partner/CEO), Jason Pfardrescher, Well Go USA (EVP digital distribution), Kent Sanderson, Bleecker Street/DECAL (president, acquisitions & ancillary distribution/co-president) and Stephanie Prange, Media Play News (editor in chief). 

    Inspiration is Everywhere: Accessing & Adapting Existing IP for the Screen 
    –Margaret Boykin, Ubisoft Film & Television (VP of development, film & television), Charles Hopkins, Concord Originals (director of development & production) and James Vanderbilt, Project X Entertainment (CCO). 

    Independent Features with Big Profit Potential  
    –Miranda Bailey, Cold Iron Pictures (CEO), Brian Beckmann Arclight Films (CFO) George Hamilton, Protagonist Pictures (CCO), and Pip Ngo, XYZ Films (SVP of sales & acquisitions). 

    The Producer/Sales Agent Dynamic 
    –Clay Epstein, Film Mode Entertainment (president), Delphine Perrier, Highland Film Group (COO), Mary Jane Skalski, Echo Lake Entertainment (president of production/producer), and Mimi Steinbaur, Radiant Films International (president & CEO).  

    The Innovators  
    –Jeff Annison, Legion M (co-founder & president), Lindsey Ramey, Wattpad WEBTOON Studios (head of global film), Richard Botto, Stage 32 (founder) and Alex Ferrari, Indie Film Hustle (founder). 

    As previously announced, AFM’s programming will kick off with the Finance Conference session The Risk Takers, featuring Jason Cloth, Creative Wealth Media/BRON, Basil Iwanyk, Thunder Road Pictures, Laura Lewis, Rebelle Media, Milan Popelka, FilmNation, and Erich Schwartzel, The Wall Street Journal.  

    All sessions will take place at the Loews Hotel. The current schedule and speakers can be viewed here.
     
    LocationEXPO
    Alongside the sales activity, screenings and sessions, LocationEXPO at AFM will welcome film commissions, government agencies and production service companies from more than 30 countries.  Organizations participating in LocationEXPO hail from the U.S. and as far as Egypt, Kauai, Malaysia, Malta, Sao Paolo, Thailand, and Tokyo. 

    In addition to connecting with Film Commissions and organizations, who collectively are offering millions of dollars in production incentives, AFM participants can also attend panels and presentations from LocationEXPO exhibitors and partners, including The Italian Trade Agency, The Polish Film Institute, The North Finland Film Commission, and the Louisiana Office of Entertainment Industry Development. 

    Tags:American Film MarketLocationEXPO



    DirecTV calls off acquisition of rival Dish, possibly ending a yearslong pursuit

    Friday, November 22, 2024
    Dish Network satellite dishes are shown at an apartment complex in Palo Alto, Calif., Feb. 23, 2011. (AP Photo/Paul Sakuma, File)

    DirecTV is calling off its planned acquisition of rival Dish after the offer was rejected by bond holders at that company.

    The deal was reliant on Dish bond holders agreeing to trade in the debt they held for debt in the new company, a swap that would have cost them about $1.6 billion, collectively.

    The retreat by DirecTV this week may end a years-long effort by the company to acquire both Dish and Sling after it announced the bid in September.

    DirecTV was looking to acquire Dish TV and Sling TV from its owner EchoStar in a debt exchange transaction that included a payment of $1, plus the assumption of approximately $9.8 billion in debt. The deal was contingent on several factors, including regulatory approvals and bondholders writing off debt related to Dish.

    "While we believed a combination of DirecTV and Dish would have benefited all stakeholders, we have terminated the transaction because the proposed exchange terms were necessary to protect DirecTV's balance sheet and our operational flexibility," DirecTV CEO Bill Morrow said in a statement.

    The prospect of a DirecTV-Dish combo has long been rumored, and reported talks resurfaced over the years. And the two almost merged more than two decades ago — but the Federal Communications Commission blocked the deal valued at the time at $18.5 billion deal, citing antitrust concerns.

    The pay-for-TV market has shifted significantly since. As more and more consumers tune into online streaming platforms, demand for more traditional satellite entertainment continues to shrink.

    DirecTV says that it will continue to invest in next-generation streaming platforms and offer new packaging options while integrating content from live TV alongside direct-to-consumer... Read More

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