The American Film Market® (AFM®) is set to open with a strong commitment of companies set as exhibitors and buyers for the 2023 show. AFM23 will run over six days, Oct. 31-Nov. 5, at its new headquarters located at Le Méridien Delfina Santa Monica. Industry screenings are set at theatres throughout the city and AFM’s conference series, The AFM Sessions, will take place at The Hilton Santa Monica Hotel.
The number of companies and organizations exhibiting at AFM23 has surpassed 245. The list continues to grow and features industry-leading independent film & TV production, sales and distribution companies as well as national Pavilions from China, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Thailand and the UK. International trade organizations, film commissions and production service companies also have a significant presence as part of this year’s enhanced LocationEXPO ® exhibition.
This year’s AFM exhibitors include such sales companies as: A24, AGC Studios, Altitude Film Sales, Amazon MGM Studios, Anton, Bankside Films, Beta Cinema, Black Bear Pictures, Blue Fox Entertainment, Charades, Cinema Management Group, CJ ENM, Emperor Motion Pictures, Film Mode Entertainment, FilmNation, GAGA Corporation, Gaumont, Global Screen GmbH, HanWay Films, Lakeshore, Lionsgate, MGM Studios, Millennium Media, Odin’s Eye Entertainment, Orange Studio, Pathé Films, Protagonist Pictures, SND Groupe M6, STUDIOCANAL, Toei Company, TrustNordisk, UNIFRANCE, Voltage Pictures, WME Independent, and XYZ Films.
On the other side of the transactional ledger, territorial buyers from more than 65 countries have registered to date.
Jean Prewitt, IFTA president and CEO, commented, “All indicators are pointing to a strong AFM23 and we look forward to hosting the global industry in just a few weeks. Asia which was still impacted by COVID restrictions last year is well-represented again, as are the UK and Europe – especially Italy, France, Germany and Spain. AFM is the only major fall film market and its location, close to the beach as well as to the Los Angeles studios, streamers and agencies, solidifies it as an essential destination for the industry to meet, conduct business and celebrate independent film, even in the midst of current challenges.”
Alongside the sales activity and screenings, The AFM Sessions presented by Wrapbook & Film Hawaii, will bring 30+ panels across two stages over four days beginning Wed., Nov. 1. The initial programming lineup features a cross-section of industry creatives, influencers and decision-makers to examine and discuss today’s timely topics. Day 1 highlights Include:
Film Funding Today: The Benefits & Limitations of Global Tax Incentives
Jeaneane Davey, Netflix, Patrick Rizzotti, Blue Fox Financing, Ryan Broussard, Wrapbook, and Will French, Fallbrook
The Global Perspective: Breaking the Boundaries of Today’s Film Marketplace
Christian Vesper, Fremantle, Syrinthia Studer, Paramount Pictures, Mark Gooder, Cornerstone and Steven Gaydos, Variety
The Content Audiences Want & The Industry Needs to Provide
Lourdes Diaz, AGC Studios, Jeffrey Greenstein, Millennium Media, Joe Lewis, Amplify Pictures, and Maren Olson, 30WEST
Other programming highlights include:
Changing Minds and Bettering Lives Through Storytelling
Karen Lunder, Imagine Entertainment, Anikah McLaren, Participant Media, and Jamal Henderson, The SpringHill Company
Developing, Pitching, and Making Television
Nathan Varni, ABC/Disney, Kate Gill, Paramount Television Studios, Leila Cohan, writer and producer (BRIDGERTON), and Vijal Patel, writer and producer (Black-ish), and Richard Botto, Stage 32
Harnessing the Power of Music for Film
Kris Le-Roy, Universal Production Music, Satya Fuentes, Netflix, Cristina May, music director and producer, Garo Setian, creative director, Jeff Cardoni, composer for film & television, and Ryan Svendsen, Millennium Media
Fast Times in the Ad-Supported Distribution Landscape for Independents
Will Gurman, Paramount Streaming, Yolanda Macias, Cinedigm, and Tyler Aquilina, Variety Intelligence Platform
The Pitch Conference
Cassian Elwes, Elevated Film Sales, Lorelle Lynch, AGC Studios, and Jee Jessup, Consultant
Managing Common Legal Risks in Production
Phil Strina, Lionsgate, Kirk D’Amico, Myriad Pictures, Joanne Hoffman, Hoffman Entertainment Law and Roger Goff, Goff Law Corporation
Getting Your Film Made, Seen, and Profitable in The Streaming Era
Brian Beckmann, Arclight Films, Juliet Berman, Spiral Stairs Entertainment, Sophia Dilley, Concord Originals, and Paul Scanlan, Legion M
Economic Development: Moviemaking on Native Land
Joanelle Romero, Red Nation Celebration Institute, Allison Whitmer, Commissioner, Montana Film Office, Coni Shepperd, Southern Kentucky Film Commission, Cyndy McCrossen, Liaison, City of Albuquerque Film, Marcei Brown, Founder, Crewie, and Mike Fantasia, Former President, LMGI
Evolving Roles and Relationships: Sales Agents and Producers
Clay Epstein, Film Mode Entertainment, Marc Goldberg, Signature Films, Mark Padilla, Jack Rabbit Media, and Nadine de Barros, Fortitude International
More sessions and speakers will be announced shortly. The initial schedule and speakers can be viewed HERE.
Organized by the Independent Film & Television Alliance (IFTA), AFM continues to be the only dedicated sales market in North America and the only independently produced market in the industry.
