LocationEXPO to feature Film Commissions and Production Companies from 30 Countries

The American Film Market® (AFM®) will welcome the global industry back to Santa Monica for its 43rd edition set to take place in-person Tuesday, November 1 through Sunday, November 6, the Independent Film & Television Alliance® (IFTA®) announced. The market, which planned its shift to a six-day run in 2020, will take place at the Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel and theatres throughout the city.

“There is more excitement about the future than I’ve seen in two years and in-person markets are more vital than ever,” said Clay Epstein, Chairperson, IFTA and President, Film Mode Entertainment. “The desire to return to Santa Monica for AFM is at an all-time high and we are eager to reunite the global industry in November.”

The AFM has announced sessions lineup and speakers, LocationEXPO exhibit participants and Premiere Sponsors set for the market’s in-person return after two years online.

Also AFM has revealed its official poster design for the 2022 show created by DESIGNWORKS. Download the Hi-Res Poster HERE.

Continuing its renowned programming initiative, The AFM Sessions presented by Cast & Crew and Spcine will feature a lineup of 30+ sessions that will bring over 100 speakers to its two stages over four days, Nov. 2-5, including global thought-leaders Howard Cohen, Roadside Attractions, Ashley Stern, Picture Perfect Federation, Martin Moszkowicz, Constantin Film, Jeff Annison, Legion M, Jeffrey Greenstein, Millennium Media, and George Hamilton, Protagonist Pictures. Programming highlights include:

Finance: Strategies for Today’s VOD Dominated World

Maxime Cottray, XYZ Films (EVP, Production and Finance), Peter Graham, 120 dB Films (Principal), Deirdre Owens, Cast & Crew (VP, Production Incentive Financing) and Jeremy Kay, Screen International (Americas Editor).

Forecasting the Future for Independent Film

David Fannon, Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment / Screen Media Ventures (EVP, Distribution / President), Martin Moszkowicz, Constantin Film (President and Chairman) Ashley Stern, Picture Perfect Federation / Federation Entertainment of America (President) and Patrick Frater, Variety (Asia Editor).

Theatrical Marketplace Recovery for Independent Films

Howard Cohen, Roadside Attractions (Co-President & Co-Founder), Jeffrey Greenstein, Millennium Media (President), Scott Shooman, IFC Entertainment (SVP, Acquisitions) and Diana Lodderhose, Deadline, (International Features Editor).

Demystifying the Global VOD Landscape

Nick Isaak, Gravitas Ventures (VP of Sales), Peter Jarowey, Vertical Entertainment (Partner / CEO), Jason Pfardrescher, Well Go USA (EVP Digital Distribution), Kent Sanderson, Bleecker Street/ DECAL (President, Acquisitions & Ancillary Distribution/ Co-President) and Stephanie Prange, Media Play News (Editor in Chief).

Inspiration is Everywhere: Accessing & Adapting Existing IP for the Screen

Margaret Boykin, Ubisoft Film & Television (VP of Development, Film & Television), Charles Hopkins, Concord Originals (Director of Development & Production) and James Vanderbilt, Project X Entertainment (CCO).

Independent Features with Big Profit Potential

Miranda Bailey, Cold Iron Pictures (CEO), Brian Beckmann Arclight Films (CFO) George Hamilton, Protagonist Pictures (CCO), and Pip Ngo, XYZ Films (SVP of Sales & Acquisitions).

The Producer / Sales Agent Dynamic

Clay Epstein, Film Mode Entertainment (President), Delphine Perrier, Highland Film Group (COO), Mary Jane Skalski, Echo Lake Entertainment (President of Production / Producer), and Mimi Steinbaur, Radiant Films International (President & CEO).

The Innovators

Jeff Annison, Legion M (Co-Founder & President), Lindsey Ramey, Wattpad WEBTOON Studios
(Head of Global Film), Richard Botto, Stage 32 (Founder) and Alex Ferrari, Indie Film Hustle (Founder).
As previously announced, AFM’s programming will kick off with the Finance Conference session The Risk Takers, featuring Jason Cloth, Creative Wealth Media / BRON, Basil Iwanyk, Thunder Road Pictures, Laura Lewis, Rebelle Media, Milan Popelka, FilmNation and Erich Schwartzel, The Wall Street Journal.

All sessions will take place at the Loews Hotel.

Alongside the sales activity, screenings and sessions, LocationEXPO at AFM will welcome Film Commissions, Government Agencies and Production Service Companies from more than 30 countries. Organizations participating in LocationEXPO hail from the U.S. and as far as Egypt, Kauai, Malaysia, Malta, Sao Paolo, Thailand, and Tokyo.

In addition to connecting with Film Commissions and organizations, who collectively are offering millions of dollars in production incentives, AFM participants can also attend panels and presentations from LocationEXPO exhibitors and partners, including The Italian Trade Agency, The Polish Film Institute, The North Finland Film Commission, and the Louisiana Office of Entertainment Industry Development. Visit the Exhibitor List to view the full lineup of LocationEXPO participants with more still being added.

Premiere Sponsors of AFM 2022 are Cast & Crew, Deadline Hollywood, Department of International Trade Promotion (DITP), National Film Development Corp. Malaysia (FINAS), the Polish Film Institute, Screen International, Spcine, The Hollywood Report, and Variety.