By the time the 2005 American Film Market begins its week-long run next Wednesday, November 2, in Santa Monica, it will have broken all its own records – with more exhibitors, more countries represented, more films to be screened, including more premieres, and more seminars.
Over 7,000 film industry executives, producers, directors, exhibitors, lawyers, bankers, festival directors, film commissioners, trade groups, and agents from more than 70 countries are expected to be in town for what is the world’s largest motion picture trade event.
More than $500 million in motion picture and television production and distribution deals are closed annually during its eight days of deal making, screenings and seminars.
The AFM is produced by the Independent Film & Television Alliance (IFTA), the trade association representing the world’s producers and distributors of independent motion pictures and television programs.
In 2004, the AFM established a strategic alliance with AFI FEST, making it the only festival-market in North America that combines commerce and culture. AFI FEST runs from November 3 to 13.
As in previous years, AFM headquarters is Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel. It also occupies two floots at Le Merigot Hotel, which is next door to Loews.
This year’s seminars are being presented by Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP and KPMG LLP.
There will be a record nine seminars this year. They will take place at Le Merigot Hotel and will feature a cross-section of prominent entertainment executives, filmmakers and talent from around the world, including such people as Alf Clausen (Composer, The Simpsons, Moonlighting), Patrick Crowley (Producer, The Bourne Identity, The Bourne Supremacy), Peter Dinklage (Actor, The Station Agent, Threshold, Elf, The Baxter), Catherine Hardwicke (Director, Lords of Dogtown; Director/Writer, Thirteen), Peter Hoffman (Chairman, Seven Arts Pictures, PLC), Michael London (Producer, Sideways, House of Sand and Fog, Thirteen), Hal Sadoff (Head of International and Independent Film Department, ICM) and Christian Taylor (Writer/Producer, Lost, Miracles, Six Feet Under; Writer/Director, Lady In Waiting; Co-Writer/Co-Director/Actor, Showboy).For more information of the AFM, please visit www.americanfilmmarket.com.
