Santa Monica this week welcomes more than 8,000 global film industry leaders at the 34th annual American Film Market (AFM) for the world’s largest film market.
AFM began on Wednesday and will run through Wednesday, Nov. 13.
Independent filmmakers, producers, distributors, and other key members of the worldwide motion picture industry will screen and bid upon more than 400 films from 51 countries.
Event attendees will fill local hotel rooms, restaurants, theaters, and retail outlets during its eight-day run, infusing an estimated $20 million dollars into the Santa Monica economy.
Santa Monica Convention & Visitors Bureau (SMCVB) CEO/President Misti Kerns said the City has been privileged to welcome film industry leaders from all over the world to AFM.
“This city-wide convention offers a tremendously positive impact to our community sustaining many good jobs and providing an economic boost during a typically off-peak season,” Kerns said. “Our team, along with continued support from our entire community, is dedicated to providing a memorable experience for attendees that meets AFM quality standards now and for many more years to come.”
Jonathan Wolf, executive vice president of the Independent Film & Television Alliance and managing director of AFM, said he hoped Santa Monica would be the home of AFM for a very long time.
“The AFM Campus in Santa Monica is the perfect setting for production and distribution deals, screenings, conferences, premieres, networking and parties,” Wolf said.
During AFM, the entire Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel and a few offices at the JW Marriot Santa Monica Le Merigot will be converted into productive marketplaces where over 400 films will be screened, including 75 world premieres, for buyers and industry professionals from more than 70 countries.
All 15 screens on the Third Street Promenade and the surrounding community will also be transformed into screening rooms for the duration of AFM and additional screenings will take place in eight high-definition screening rooms created specifically for the occasion.
Paul Leclerc, Managing Director of Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel, said the hotel looked forward to hosting the event each year and worked hard to ensure the thousands of attendees have a top-notch experience throughout the conference.
“The American Film Market is a landmark event in the Santa Monica community and it is an honor to say that Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel has been its home for two decades,” said Leclerc said.
SMCVB has partnered with local businesses to provide AFM guests with an authentic Santa Monica experience during their visit.
