The American Film Market (AFM) is set to open with a strong commitment of companies set as Exhibitors and Buyers for the 2023 show, it was announced today. AFM23 will run over six days, Oct. 31 – Nov. 5, at its new headquarters located at Le Méridien Delfina Santa Monica (530 Pico Blvd). Industry Screenings are set at theatres throughout the city and AFM’s renowned conference series, The AFM Sessions, will take place at The Hilton Santa Monica Hotel (1707 4th St).

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. View the Current Exhibitor List HERE.

The Exhibitor bookings are matched by the brisk registration of teams of territorial Buyers from more than 65 countries to date with more registering each day.

Jean Prewitt, IFTA President & 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 illustrious 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.

About the American Film Market (AFM)
The AFM is the most efficient film acquisition, development and networking event in the world. More than US$1 billion in production and distribution deals are closed every year — on both completed films and those in every stage of development and production. Over six days in November, thousands of industry professionals from 70+ countries access the entire global catalogue of available films and projects, attend world class conferences, and connect with decision makers. The AFM is produced by the Independent Film & Television Alliance®.

About the Independent Film & Television Alliance (IFTA)
IFTA is the global trade association for independent film and television production, finance, distribution, and sales companies. The organization represents the independent sector before governments and international bodies and provides significant entertainment in