Now in its 19th year, the 10-day AFI FEST is held annually in November and features premieres and international competitions of new films from emerging filmmakers, as well as showcasing new work from film masters.
Last year, for the first time, AFI FEST ran simultaneously with the American Film Market (AFM) in Santa Monica and screened 36 films from 42 countries and played host to 522 filmmakers and guests from 35 countries.
Headquartered at Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel, AFM is the largest motion picture trade event in the world. Over $500 million in production and distribution deals are conducted and closed annually during its ten-day run.
The alliance of the two events last year was the first concurrent festival/market event to be held in North America.
For the first time, AFI will feature “Times Talks” in which New York Times writers interview noted filmmakers at the festival.
On-going programs include international feature and documentary and shorts competitions, the annual AFI FEST tribute and retrospective, American Directions, new classics from Asia, European film showcase, Latin cinema series, Made In Germany and New Faces in European Cinema.The full AFI FEST 2005 slate of films will be announced on October 5.
