Best-selling author and comedian will deliver the keynote address at Afm’s Production Conference on Nov 10.
Adam Carolla will deliver the keynote address at the American Film Market’s Production Conference on Nov 10.
The best-selling author and comedian recently led a successful crowd funding campaign for his new film, Road Hard, via FundAnything.com, raising over $1.4m. Carolla will write, direct and star in the film.
Carolla commented: “I’m honoured to be the key note speaker for this year’s Afm Conference. I look forward to sharing my experiences with crowd funding and eating free deli food.”
“Adam Carolla is an innovator, trendsetter and successful entrepreneur. We’re thrilled that he will share his vision and insights with the world’s producers,” added Jonathan Wolf, Afm managing director.
The 2013 Afm takes place in Santa Monica from Nov 6-13.
Adam Carolla will deliver the keynote address at the American Film Market’s Production Conference on Nov 10.
The best-selling author and comedian recently led a successful crowd funding campaign for his new film, Road Hard, via FundAnything.com, raising over $1.4m. Carolla will write, direct and star in the film.
Carolla commented: “I’m honoured to be the key note speaker for this year’s Afm Conference. I look forward to sharing my experiences with crowd funding and eating free deli food.”
“Adam Carolla is an innovator, trendsetter and successful entrepreneur. We’re thrilled that he will share his vision and insights with the world’s producers,” added Jonathan Wolf, Afm managing director.
The 2013 Afm takes place in Santa Monica from Nov 6-13.
- 9/26/2013
- by ian.sandwell@screendaily.com (Ian Sandwell)
- ScreenDaily
Best-selling author and comedian will deliver the keynote address at Afm’s Production Conference on Nov 10.
Adam Carolla will deliver the keynote address at the American Film Market’s Production Conference on Nov 10.
The best-selling author and comedian recently led a successful crowd funding campaign for his new film, Road Hard, via FundAnything.com, raising over $1.4m. Carolla will write, direct and star in the film.
Carolla commented: “I’m honoured to be the key note speaker for this year’s Afm Conference. I look forward to sharing my experiences with crowd funding and eating free deli food.”
“Adam Carolla is an innovator, trendsetter and successful entrepreneur. We’re thrilled that he will share his vision and insights with the world’s producers,” added Jonathan Wolf, Afm managing director.
The 2013 Afm takes place in Santa Monica from Nov 6-13.
Adam Carolla will deliver the keynote address at the American Film Market’s Production Conference on Nov 10.
The best-selling author and comedian recently led a successful crowd funding campaign for his new film, Road Hard, via FundAnything.com, raising over $1.4m. Carolla will write, direct and star in the film.
Carolla commented: “I’m honoured to be the key note speaker for this year’s Afm Conference. I look forward to sharing my experiences with crowd funding and eating free deli food.”
“Adam Carolla is an innovator, trendsetter and successful entrepreneur. We’re thrilled that he will share his vision and insights with the world’s producers,” added Jonathan Wolf, Afm managing director.
The 2013 Afm takes place in Santa Monica from Nov 6-13.
- 9/26/2013
- by ian.sandwell@screendaily.com (Ian Sandwell)
- ScreenDaily
Exclusive: Branching out from indie movies, the American Film Market is getting into the book business. The annual festival has signed a four-year deal with Focal Press to team on American Film Market Presents, a series of books on the business of film production and distribution. Among the topics will be financing, pitching, law, marketing. The first book, due October 3, is American Film Market Presents: The Business Of Media Distribution, Second Edition, by Jeff Ulin, who headed sales at Lucasfilm for years. “Our goal is to provide the independent production community with resources and information that helps films get made,” Afm Managing Director Jonathan Wolf said in a statement Tuesday. This year’s Afm runs from November 6 – 13.
- 9/10/2013
- by DOMINIC PATTEN
- Deadline TV
The American Film Market was once all eye-catching gimmicks – these days it's robust, ruddy-cheeked, and focused on enterprise
There's a woman feeding a baby in the lobby of the Loews hotel in Santa Monica. Nothing unusual in that, you might think, except that this is the second day of the American Film Market, an event that doesn't generally conjure up images of swaddled newborns. With almost 8,000 attendees, from more than 70 countries, there was barely room to move around the hotel's atrium – but this year's Afm feels strikingly different from previous markets.
Gone are the hordes of almost-naked women in leopard-print bikinis, salesmen in Comic-Conesque fancy dress, and other eye-catching gimmicks. (Although, naturally, Ron Jeremy brought some scantily-clad babes with him when he appeared at a TromaDance press conference.) No, this year, the Afm has been robust, ruddy-cheeked, and all about the business.
Previous post-recession years haven't been so buoyant but the Afm's managing director,...
There's a woman feeding a baby in the lobby of the Loews hotel in Santa Monica. Nothing unusual in that, you might think, except that this is the second day of the American Film Market, an event that doesn't generally conjure up images of swaddled newborns. With almost 8,000 attendees, from more than 70 countries, there was barely room to move around the hotel's atrium – but this year's Afm feels strikingly different from previous markets.
Gone are the hordes of almost-naked women in leopard-print bikinis, salesmen in Comic-Conesque fancy dress, and other eye-catching gimmicks. (Although, naturally, Ron Jeremy brought some scantily-clad babes with him when he appeared at a TromaDance press conference.) No, this year, the Afm has been robust, ruddy-cheeked, and all about the business.
Previous post-recession years haven't been so buoyant but the Afm's managing director,...
- 11/13/2012
- by Lisa Marks
- The Guardian - Film News
The American Film Market (Afm®) and AFI Fest presented by Audi join forces and introduce a new AFI Fest screening program at this year’s market. Three AFI Fest films seeking international sales representation will be screened today, starting at 9:00 am. The program was jointly announced by Jonathan Wolf, Afm Managing Director and Jacqueline Lyanga, Director, AFI Fest.
The three festival titles that have been selected by AFI Fest to screen at Afm are: Here And There (AquÍ Y AllÁ) from writer/director Antonio Méndez Esparza (9:00 a.m. screening); Nairobi Half Life from director David Tosh Gitonga (11:30 a.m. screening); and Starlet from co-writer/director Sean Baker (2:30 p.m. screening).
“This was a natural progression in our long partnership with AFI Fest and provides these filmmakers an invaluable opportunity to screen for the world’s top sales agents,” said Wolf.
"The new screening program at the Afm has so much potential. It is going to give our AFI Fest filmmakers a chance to bring their films to the market to find representation; it's going to get their films directly in front of sales agents and buyers, and we hope that it will ultimately help these films get distributed internationally,” said Lyanga.
Afm and AFI Fest provide the only concurrent festival-market event in North America, connecting both art and commerce. The alliance affords films that are represented and/or screening at the market and festival unmatched marketing exposure. The partnership also provides AFI Fest filmmakers who visit Afm access to key decision makers from more than 400 of the world’s leading production and distribution companies.
A total of 27 films screening at AFI Fest will also be represented at this year’s Afm.
11 AFI Fest films will screen at Afm, including ABCs Of Death (Magnolia Pictures); Antiviral (IFC Films/TF1 International); Come Out And Play (Cananá Films); Ginger And Rosa (The Match Factory); John Dies At The End (Magnolia Pictures); Kon-tiki (Media Plan PR/HanWay Films); Quartet(HanWay Films); Simon Killer (IFC Films/ Fortissimo Films); and Zaytoun (Pathé International).
16 additional festival selections will be represented at Afm including: A Royal Affair (Magnolia Pictures); Berberian Sound Studio (IFC Films/The Match Factory); Beyond The Hills (IFC Films); Caesar Must Die (Adopt Films, LLC/Rai Trade); Eat Sleep Die (The Yellow Affair); Here Comes The Devil (Mpi Media Group); Holy Motors (Indomina); In Another Country (Kino Lorber); In The Fog (Strand Releasing/The Match Factory); Kid (Media Luna New Films); Pieta (Finecut); Tabu (Adopt Films, LLC); The Hunt (Magnolia Pictures); The Impossible (Summit Entertainment); The Most Fun I’Ve Ever Had With My Pants On (Continental Media); and War Witch (Tribeca Enterprises/Films Distribution).
About the Afm
The business of independent motion picture production and distribution reaches its peak every year at the American Film Market, Oct. 31 – Nov. 7, 2012. The global film industry converges in Santa Monica for eight days of deal-making on films in every stage of development and production, as well as screenings, conferences, networking and parties.
With 8,000 industry leaders from more than 70 countries, 700 screenings and the industry’s largest Conference Series, Afm is the pivotal destination for independent filmmakers, directors, distributors, financiers, industry executives, producers, talent, writers, the international media and all those who provide services to the worldwide motion picture industry.
The Afm is produced by the Independent Film & Television Alliance®, the global trade association of the independent motion picture and television industry and the voice and advocate for the Independents worldwide. Visit www.AmericanFilmMarket.com and www.Ifta-online.org for more information.
About AFI Fest presented by Audi
The American Film Institute’s annual celebration of artistic excellence, AFI Fest presented by Audi brings the audience and the entertainment community together to explore the year in global cinema through the new works of film masters, moving image icons and breakthrough talents, and it is the only film festival of its stature that is free to the public. AFI Fest mixes nightly red carpet galas of Hollywood films with new auteur works from around the world, ensuring that an extraordinary array of foreign filmmaker voices is heard. Launching awards season each year, AFI Fest offers a crucial avenue of exposure to the entertainment community, while providing audiences with the very best of global cinema, right in the center of the movie-making capital of the world.
Celebrating its 26th year as a program of the American Film Institute, the festival has paid tribute to numerous influential filmmakers and artists over the years, including Pedro Almodóvar and David Lynch as Guest Artistic Directors, and has screened scores of films that have produced Oscar® nominations and wins including, most recently, The Artist and A Separation.
AFI Fest 2012 presented by Audi will take place November 1 through 8 in the heart of Hollywood. AFI Fest is the only Fiapf-accredited film festival in the United States, and The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences recognizes AFI Fest as a qualifying festival for the Short Films category for the annual Academy Awards®.
Additional information about AFI Fest is available at AFI.com/Afifest. Connect with AFI Fest at facebook.com/Afifest,twitter.com/Afifest and youtube.com/Afifest.
The three festival titles that have been selected by AFI Fest to screen at Afm are: Here And There (AquÍ Y AllÁ) from writer/director Antonio Méndez Esparza (9:00 a.m. screening); Nairobi Half Life from director David Tosh Gitonga (11:30 a.m. screening); and Starlet from co-writer/director Sean Baker (2:30 p.m. screening).
“This was a natural progression in our long partnership with AFI Fest and provides these filmmakers an invaluable opportunity to screen for the world’s top sales agents,” said Wolf.
"The new screening program at the Afm has so much potential. It is going to give our AFI Fest filmmakers a chance to bring their films to the market to find representation; it's going to get their films directly in front of sales agents and buyers, and we hope that it will ultimately help these films get distributed internationally,” said Lyanga.
Afm and AFI Fest provide the only concurrent festival-market event in North America, connecting both art and commerce. The alliance affords films that are represented and/or screening at the market and festival unmatched marketing exposure. The partnership also provides AFI Fest filmmakers who visit Afm access to key decision makers from more than 400 of the world’s leading production and distribution companies.
A total of 27 films screening at AFI Fest will also be represented at this year’s Afm.
11 AFI Fest films will screen at Afm, including ABCs Of Death (Magnolia Pictures); Antiviral (IFC Films/TF1 International); Come Out And Play (Cananá Films); Ginger And Rosa (The Match Factory); John Dies At The End (Magnolia Pictures); Kon-tiki (Media Plan PR/HanWay Films); Quartet(HanWay Films); Simon Killer (IFC Films/ Fortissimo Films); and Zaytoun (Pathé International).
16 additional festival selections will be represented at Afm including: A Royal Affair (Magnolia Pictures); Berberian Sound Studio (IFC Films/The Match Factory); Beyond The Hills (IFC Films); Caesar Must Die (Adopt Films, LLC/Rai Trade); Eat Sleep Die (The Yellow Affair); Here Comes The Devil (Mpi Media Group); Holy Motors (Indomina); In Another Country (Kino Lorber); In The Fog (Strand Releasing/The Match Factory); Kid (Media Luna New Films); Pieta (Finecut); Tabu (Adopt Films, LLC); The Hunt (Magnolia Pictures); The Impossible (Summit Entertainment); The Most Fun I’Ve Ever Had With My Pants On (Continental Media); and War Witch (Tribeca Enterprises/Films Distribution).
About the Afm
The business of independent motion picture production and distribution reaches its peak every year at the American Film Market, Oct. 31 – Nov. 7, 2012. The global film industry converges in Santa Monica for eight days of deal-making on films in every stage of development and production, as well as screenings, conferences, networking and parties.
With 8,000 industry leaders from more than 70 countries, 700 screenings and the industry’s largest Conference Series, Afm is the pivotal destination for independent filmmakers, directors, distributors, financiers, industry executives, producers, talent, writers, the international media and all those who provide services to the worldwide motion picture industry.
The Afm is produced by the Independent Film & Television Alliance®, the global trade association of the independent motion picture and television industry and the voice and advocate for the Independents worldwide. Visit www.AmericanFilmMarket.com and www.Ifta-online.org for more information.
About AFI Fest presented by Audi
The American Film Institute’s annual celebration of artistic excellence, AFI Fest presented by Audi brings the audience and the entertainment community together to explore the year in global cinema through the new works of film masters, moving image icons and breakthrough talents, and it is the only film festival of its stature that is free to the public. AFI Fest mixes nightly red carpet galas of Hollywood films with new auteur works from around the world, ensuring that an extraordinary array of foreign filmmaker voices is heard. Launching awards season each year, AFI Fest offers a crucial avenue of exposure to the entertainment community, while providing audiences with the very best of global cinema, right in the center of the movie-making capital of the world.
Celebrating its 26th year as a program of the American Film Institute, the festival has paid tribute to numerous influential filmmakers and artists over the years, including Pedro Almodóvar and David Lynch as Guest Artistic Directors, and has screened scores of films that have produced Oscar® nominations and wins including, most recently, The Artist and A Separation.
AFI Fest 2012 presented by Audi will take place November 1 through 8 in the heart of Hollywood. AFI Fest is the only Fiapf-accredited film festival in the United States, and The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences recognizes AFI Fest as a qualifying festival for the Short Films category for the annual Academy Awards®.
Additional information about AFI Fest is available at AFI.com/Afifest. Connect with AFI Fest at facebook.com/Afifest,twitter.com/Afifest and youtube.com/Afifest.
- 11/6/2012
- by Sydney Levine
- Sydney's Buzz
I spoke about the upcoming American Film Market / Afm with Jonathan Wolf, who is The Independent Film and Television Alliance (Ifta®) Executive VP and American Film Market Managing Director.
(For your information - The organization that produces the Afm each year is The Independent Film & Television Alliance (Ifta) which is the global trade association of the independent motion picture and television programming industry. Headquartered in Los Angeles, the organization represents and provides significant entertainment industry services to more than 150 member companies from 23 countries, consisting of independent production and distribution companies, sales agents, television companies, and institutions engaged in production finance.)
Sydney and I view the Afm as one of the biggest of the three formal film markets held each year. These are the Efm European Film Market held in February in Berlin alongside the Berlinale Film Festival and the Cannes Marche du Film in late May next to Cannes Film Festival.
It should also be noted that while not Markets, in the formal sense, Toronto (September) and Sundance (January), are primarily film festivals, have lots of press and trade people (film industry types) present and much activity in the buying and selling of films. Sydney and I call them (Toronto and Sundance) "informal markets" or "de facto markets".
So I then asked Jonathan what is the difference between this Afm, which is a very large market and a film festival (e.g. Sundance?) .
Jonathan replied as follows. "There are 4,000 film festivals around the world and all but a handful of these are cultural events for their local area and there is no market and no ‘b to b’ side. Large established festivals such as Seattle and Chicago etc have no biz component, it is all local. Sundance however is not a cultural event for community or local people. It contains events for industry pros. But Sundance is not a market. It is a different type of event from Afm which has no Festival side and is different from the Markets at Berlin or Cannes which do have festivals."
I asked Jonathan about this quote from the Afm I found interesting.
“We are seeing a shift in the way sub distributors acquire film as they steadily rely less on local distributors and more on direct acquisitions. We also expect a significant increase in buyers from China.”
I started on this above by reading it to him and he said, "That’s from our website and there are two separate points there."
I said okay, about sub distributors then, in which territories are you seeing this happen?
Jonathan replied as follows.
‘Well the trend is not unique to any film buying territory which can be multiple countries (e.g. Scandinavia, 5 countries), or any single country. But this is a trend we see and do not know exactly why it occurs. But, we hypothesize as follows: a) international companies are growing and thus are seeking more products. b) we assume they are not getting what they want at home from distributors and so they come to Afm to meet directly with our sellers here. This year, post Afm we’ll measure what’s gone on during our Market. One reason for this could be that new media (meaning digital streaming and / or download services) are seeking more product video on demand. So as a result now instead of waiting at home, they are coming to the Market to buy directly and much earlier.’
China is always on our minds these days, so I asked about that next.
He went on. ‘There’s not a lot to say today about China that you could not say 5 years ago. China as a buyer of our films is growing. The numbers will go up in terms of sales and attendance at international events such as ours. By the way this is similar to what I’d have said 5 years ago, or for that matter 5 years from now. We are looking forward to their evolution and all I can say definitely is that we are not able to predict either specific numbers or dates.’
I then asked about who comes to Afm, besides buyers and sellers.
‘What we see now is that attendees include many aspiring filmmakers with projects, scripts. Afm can also be a ‘pre sale market’. At Afm you can see many people selling projects to buyers sight unseen. So If you ask most companies there at Afm I think you’d find of projects in the Market, one third are screening and two thirds are from pre sales. So more business is done during Afm on pre sales.’
‘The Market exceeds 350 companies and there are 130 to 140 screening films with 600 or 700 separate screenings of these at different times.’
So, I asked, why is the Afm different from the other two big formal markets?
He replied. ‘Well there’s a few reasons. Afm is not side by side with a festival like Cannes Marche and Berlin Efm. Also it is the Only event in film permanently based in Hollywood. This affects the dna of the event. Also the calendar helps us. Afm is 6 months after the previous market in Cannes. As a result of this long period we benefit and get more films and projects here. Both Cannes and Afm each have unique benefits and are indispensable to film professionals. I’d say this about Berlin or the Efm and that is that if a distributor or buyer skips Afm or Cannes they are conspicuous by their absence. But not Berlin.’
‘Another important difference Afm is the only market for film, TV or music actually produced by the content providers (note – he refers to the Ifta membership of companies which run the organization hosting Afm) in the film business, TV or music. The other markets are run either by the festival organizations they are paired with or by for profit organizations like Reed Exhibitions. Or even by government organizations. In the case of Natpe (a TV market) it is run by a conference organizer or associations that represent attendees of market, that is the hallwalkers or buyers not by sellers who run the booths and screenings. This is the reason why the Afm is the least expensive of markets by far. Berlin is double the cost. Mipcom (another TV Market) is double the cost. Cannes costs 50% more than Afm. So we are the least expensive market for sellers in their desire to meet their customer’s, the buyers, needs. Lastly I note that when some years ago the Afm moved successfully to November from winter both Cannes Marche and Berlin Efm grew.’
Lastly I asked Jonathan about overall who attended Afm and where he saw the future growth.
He replied. ‘There are three types who come to the show. These are sellers who have stands and films. There are buyers who come looking for product. And then there are all others. The two previous groups are stable in number year after year. However the third group has increased by 50% in recent years. We see in the future that growth will continue and that the Afm will also continue to grow services to that group’.
‘Our perspective on the Afm, the long view is, that Afm has evolved from being pure import export show to an event relevant to all who bring film forward and among them I include filmmakers, producers, financiers, lawyers, writers. Our Conference this year 800 seats is sold out. It runs during the Market on November 2-6. One half day each day for 5 days. Our purpose is to get people in the conference room from 40 countries. We consciously do Not target La residents. We target those others who do not have the opportunity to hear industry leaders such as we’ll have speaking. So for these film business travelers we are about enhancing the value of their trip to La. We consider it extremely important to reach ‘them’.’
Lastly I include this listing from the Afm website as to who should attend the Market. It speaks to their ambition:
Acquisition Executives • Advertising Agencies • Agents • Artist Managers • Attorneys • Bankers • Broadcast and Cable Networks • Development Executives • Digital Media Distributors • Directors • DVD Distributors • Festival Directors • Film Commissioners • Filmmakers • Financiers • Mobile Content Buyers • Online Content Providers • Post Production Facilities • Press • Producers • Public Relations Agencies • Studio Facilities • Theatrical Distributors • Trade Associations • Writers ... and all who provide products and services to the motion picture industry.
To explore a bit further I recommend their interesting website at:
http://www.americanfilmmarket.com/...
(For your information - The organization that produces the Afm each year is The Independent Film & Television Alliance (Ifta) which is the global trade association of the independent motion picture and television programming industry. Headquartered in Los Angeles, the organization represents and provides significant entertainment industry services to more than 150 member companies from 23 countries, consisting of independent production and distribution companies, sales agents, television companies, and institutions engaged in production finance.)
Sydney and I view the Afm as one of the biggest of the three formal film markets held each year. These are the Efm European Film Market held in February in Berlin alongside the Berlinale Film Festival and the Cannes Marche du Film in late May next to Cannes Film Festival.
It should also be noted that while not Markets, in the formal sense, Toronto (September) and Sundance (January), are primarily film festivals, have lots of press and trade people (film industry types) present and much activity in the buying and selling of films. Sydney and I call them (Toronto and Sundance) "informal markets" or "de facto markets".
So I then asked Jonathan what is the difference between this Afm, which is a very large market and a film festival (e.g. Sundance?) .
Jonathan replied as follows. "There are 4,000 film festivals around the world and all but a handful of these are cultural events for their local area and there is no market and no ‘b to b’ side. Large established festivals such as Seattle and Chicago etc have no biz component, it is all local. Sundance however is not a cultural event for community or local people. It contains events for industry pros. But Sundance is not a market. It is a different type of event from Afm which has no Festival side and is different from the Markets at Berlin or Cannes which do have festivals."
I asked Jonathan about this quote from the Afm I found interesting.
“We are seeing a shift in the way sub distributors acquire film as they steadily rely less on local distributors and more on direct acquisitions. We also expect a significant increase in buyers from China.”
I started on this above by reading it to him and he said, "That’s from our website and there are two separate points there."
I said okay, about sub distributors then, in which territories are you seeing this happen?
Jonathan replied as follows.
‘Well the trend is not unique to any film buying territory which can be multiple countries (e.g. Scandinavia, 5 countries), or any single country. But this is a trend we see and do not know exactly why it occurs. But, we hypothesize as follows: a) international companies are growing and thus are seeking more products. b) we assume they are not getting what they want at home from distributors and so they come to Afm to meet directly with our sellers here. This year, post Afm we’ll measure what’s gone on during our Market. One reason for this could be that new media (meaning digital streaming and / or download services) are seeking more product video on demand. So as a result now instead of waiting at home, they are coming to the Market to buy directly and much earlier.’
China is always on our minds these days, so I asked about that next.
He went on. ‘There’s not a lot to say today about China that you could not say 5 years ago. China as a buyer of our films is growing. The numbers will go up in terms of sales and attendance at international events such as ours. By the way this is similar to what I’d have said 5 years ago, or for that matter 5 years from now. We are looking forward to their evolution and all I can say definitely is that we are not able to predict either specific numbers or dates.’
I then asked about who comes to Afm, besides buyers and sellers.
‘What we see now is that attendees include many aspiring filmmakers with projects, scripts. Afm can also be a ‘pre sale market’. At Afm you can see many people selling projects to buyers sight unseen. So If you ask most companies there at Afm I think you’d find of projects in the Market, one third are screening and two thirds are from pre sales. So more business is done during Afm on pre sales.’
‘The Market exceeds 350 companies and there are 130 to 140 screening films with 600 or 700 separate screenings of these at different times.’
So, I asked, why is the Afm different from the other two big formal markets?
He replied. ‘Well there’s a few reasons. Afm is not side by side with a festival like Cannes Marche and Berlin Efm. Also it is the Only event in film permanently based in Hollywood. This affects the dna of the event. Also the calendar helps us. Afm is 6 months after the previous market in Cannes. As a result of this long period we benefit and get more films and projects here. Both Cannes and Afm each have unique benefits and are indispensable to film professionals. I’d say this about Berlin or the Efm and that is that if a distributor or buyer skips Afm or Cannes they are conspicuous by their absence. But not Berlin.’
‘Another important difference Afm is the only market for film, TV or music actually produced by the content providers (note – he refers to the Ifta membership of companies which run the organization hosting Afm) in the film business, TV or music. The other markets are run either by the festival organizations they are paired with or by for profit organizations like Reed Exhibitions. Or even by government organizations. In the case of Natpe (a TV market) it is run by a conference organizer or associations that represent attendees of market, that is the hallwalkers or buyers not by sellers who run the booths and screenings. This is the reason why the Afm is the least expensive of markets by far. Berlin is double the cost. Mipcom (another TV Market) is double the cost. Cannes costs 50% more than Afm. So we are the least expensive market for sellers in their desire to meet their customer’s, the buyers, needs. Lastly I note that when some years ago the Afm moved successfully to November from winter both Cannes Marche and Berlin Efm grew.’
Lastly I asked Jonathan about overall who attended Afm and where he saw the future growth.
He replied. ‘There are three types who come to the show. These are sellers who have stands and films. There are buyers who come looking for product. And then there are all others. The two previous groups are stable in number year after year. However the third group has increased by 50% in recent years. We see in the future that growth will continue and that the Afm will also continue to grow services to that group’.
‘Our perspective on the Afm, the long view is, that Afm has evolved from being pure import export show to an event relevant to all who bring film forward and among them I include filmmakers, producers, financiers, lawyers, writers. Our Conference this year 800 seats is sold out. It runs during the Market on November 2-6. One half day each day for 5 days. Our purpose is to get people in the conference room from 40 countries. We consciously do Not target La residents. We target those others who do not have the opportunity to hear industry leaders such as we’ll have speaking. So for these film business travelers we are about enhancing the value of their trip to La. We consider it extremely important to reach ‘them’.’
Lastly I include this listing from the Afm website as to who should attend the Market. It speaks to their ambition:
Acquisition Executives • Advertising Agencies • Agents • Artist Managers • Attorneys • Bankers • Broadcast and Cable Networks • Development Executives • Digital Media Distributors • Directors • DVD Distributors • Festival Directors • Film Commissioners • Filmmakers • Financiers • Mobile Content Buyers • Online Content Providers • Post Production Facilities • Press • Producers • Public Relations Agencies • Studio Facilities • Theatrical Distributors • Trade Associations • Writers ... and all who provide products and services to the motion picture industry.
To explore a bit further I recommend their interesting website at:
http://www.americanfilmmarket.com/...
- 10/27/2012
- by Peter Belsito
- Sydney's Buzz
120 companies looking to buy films will attend the American Film Market for the first time, part of the more than 750 distributors from 75 countries that have registered for the only stand-alone theatrical feature film market (all others are attached to festivals) October 31-November 7 in Santa Monica. Korea (25), China (13), and the U.S. (11) lead the way with the most newcomers, AFM Managing Director and Independent Film & Television Alliance EVP Jonathan Wolf said in a release. “We are seeing a shift in the way sub-distributors acquire film as they steadily rely less on local distributors and more on direct acquisitions”, he said. “We also expect a significant increase in buyers from China.” AFM expects 1,500 individuals from these companies at the market from more than 70 countries. More than 420 features will screen including 77 world premieres and 306 market premieres. The numbers of prebuys are also looking good after their near demise in the financial crisis of 2008.
Films making their World Premieres include: A Glimpse Inside the Mind of Charles Swan III, from writer/director Roman Coppola and starring Bill Murray, Jason Schwartzman and Charlie Sheen (Independent) was first announced at the Berlin EFM 2012 and has already presold to Koch Media Gmbh for Germany, Canana for Mexico, Praesens-Film AG for Switzerland; Cottage Country, starring Malin Akerman and Lucy Punch (Vmi Worldwide); The Frozen Ground, starring Nicolas Cage, John Cusack and Vanessa Hudgens (Voltage Pictures), which has already sold to Brazil (Imagem Filmes Distribuidora Ltda), Italy (Videa - Cde S.P.A.), Japan (Culture Convenience Club Co.,Ltd. / Culture Publishers Company), Netherlands (Independent Films), And Turkey (Calinos Films); Nous York, starring Leila Bekhti and Géraldine Nakache (Pathé International); The Numbers Station, starring John Cusack and Malin Akerman (Content) which was presold over the past year to Sena For Iceland, Pomi International For Indonesia, Content Media Corporation Plc For U.K. And Grandview Castle Entertainment for U.S., Pawn, starring Nikki Reed and Ray Liotta (Red Sea Media) and Summer In February, starring Dominic Cooper and Emily Browning (Speranza13 Media).
Among the 306 films set to make their Market Premieres are The ABCs of Death starring Ingrid Bolsø Berdal and Iván González (Magnolia Pictures (for which Praesens has already acquired Swiss rights, ); Come Out and Play, starring Daniel Gimenez Cacho and Vinessa Shaw (Celsius Entertainment) for which Metrodome has U.K; Ginger and Rosa, starring Christina Hendricks and Elle Fanning (The Match Factory); Here Comes the Devil, starring Francisco Barreiro and Laura Caro (Mpi Media Group) for which Metrodome has U.K.; Kon-Tiki, starring Pål Sverre Valheim Hagen (HanWay Films) which is owned by A Contracorriente for Spain; Quartet, starring Maggie Smith and Michael Gambon, and directed by Dustin Hoffman (HanWay Films) already licensed to Germany – Dcm, Hungary - Ads Service Ltd., Israel - Lev Films (Shani Films), Spain - Vertice Cine, Simon Killer, starring Brady Corbet and Mati Diop (Fortissimo Film) for which IFC has U.S.; and Zaytoun starring Stephen Dorff and Alice Taglioni (Pathé International).
Other Market Premieres include: After, starring Steven Strait and Karolina Wydra (Jinga Films); The Assassins, starring Chow Yun-Fat, Yifei Liu and written by Bin Wang (Easternlight) for which Well Go has U.S. rights; Dan Mirvish's Between Us, starring Melissa George, Julia Stiles, and Taye Diggs (Premiere Entertainment Group Elias Axume's new company) which Premiere will release theatrically; a 10 minute promo of The Body, starring Belén Rueda and Hugo Silva (DeAPlaneta Internacional) which Dark Light Media will release in China; Boxing Day which premiered in Venice, starring Danny Huston and Matthew Jacobs (Independent); The Brass Teapot, starring Juno Temple, Alexis Bledel, and Annette Bening (TF1 International); Fin (The End), starring Maribel Verdu (Film Factory Entertainment) sold to France-Tf1 International, Hong Kong (China)-Intercontinental Films Dist. (Hk) Ltd., Mexico-Cien Films, New Zealand-Vendetta Films; Great Expectations, starring Helena Bonham Carter and Ralph Fiennes (HanWay Films) sold to Belgium-Paradiso Filmed Entertainment, Germany-Telepool Gmbh, Italy-Videa - Cde S.P.A., Korea (South)-Daisy & Cinergy Entertainment, Poland-Gutek Film Ltd, Russia-Carmen Film Group, Spain-A Contracorriente Films, Switzerland-Pathe Films Ag, United Arab Emirates-Front Row Filmed Entertainment, United Kingdom-Lionsgate Uk Ltd, Usa-Unison Films; Greetings from Tim Buckley, starring Penn Badgley and Imogen Poots (Celluloid Dreams) which Celluloid Dreams will distribute in France; A Late Quartet, starring Philip Seymour Hoffman and Christopher Walken (WestEnd Films) presold to Australia-Hopscotch, Netherlands-Wild Bunch Benelux, Spain-Savor Ediciones, S.A.; The Reluctant Fundamentalist after its Toronto debut, starring Kate Hudson and Liev Schreiber (K5 International) sold to Vendetta for N.Z.; Revenge for Jolly!, starring Elijah Wood, Ryan Phillippe, and Kristen Wiig (Highland Film Group); Harmony Korine's Spring Breakers, straight out of Tiff 12, starring James Franco, Selena Gomez and Vanessa Hudgens (Kinology) sold to Canada-V V S Films, France-Mars Films, Germany-Wild Bunch Germany; Thanks for Sharing, starring Mark Ruffalo and Gwyneth Paltrow and written by Stuart Blumberg (Voltage Pictures) sold to Roadside Attractions for U.S., Germany and Switzerland-Falcom Media, Greece-Strada Films, Italy-Minerva Pictures Group; What Maisie Knew, starring Alexander Skarsgård and Julianne Moore (Fortissimo Film) sold to Millennium for U.S., Germany-Pandastorm Pictures Gmbh, Turkey-Bir Film; and Writers (Tiff 12), starring Greg Kinnear, Logan Lerman, Kristen Bell, Jennifer Connelly, and Lily Collins, (The Solution Entertainment Group).
For Complete Rights Roundup Before, During And After The Major Festivals And Markets, Notify Sydney Levine Via Email Sydney At Sydneysbuzz.
Films making their World Premieres include: A Glimpse Inside the Mind of Charles Swan III, from writer/director Roman Coppola and starring Bill Murray, Jason Schwartzman and Charlie Sheen (Independent) was first announced at the Berlin EFM 2012 and has already presold to Koch Media Gmbh for Germany, Canana for Mexico, Praesens-Film AG for Switzerland; Cottage Country, starring Malin Akerman and Lucy Punch (Vmi Worldwide); The Frozen Ground, starring Nicolas Cage, John Cusack and Vanessa Hudgens (Voltage Pictures), which has already sold to Brazil (Imagem Filmes Distribuidora Ltda), Italy (Videa - Cde S.P.A.), Japan (Culture Convenience Club Co.,Ltd. / Culture Publishers Company), Netherlands (Independent Films), And Turkey (Calinos Films); Nous York, starring Leila Bekhti and Géraldine Nakache (Pathé International); The Numbers Station, starring John Cusack and Malin Akerman (Content) which was presold over the past year to Sena For Iceland, Pomi International For Indonesia, Content Media Corporation Plc For U.K. And Grandview Castle Entertainment for U.S., Pawn, starring Nikki Reed and Ray Liotta (Red Sea Media) and Summer In February, starring Dominic Cooper and Emily Browning (Speranza13 Media).
Among the 306 films set to make their Market Premieres are The ABCs of Death starring Ingrid Bolsø Berdal and Iván González (Magnolia Pictures (for which Praesens has already acquired Swiss rights, ); Come Out and Play, starring Daniel Gimenez Cacho and Vinessa Shaw (Celsius Entertainment) for which Metrodome has U.K; Ginger and Rosa, starring Christina Hendricks and Elle Fanning (The Match Factory); Here Comes the Devil, starring Francisco Barreiro and Laura Caro (Mpi Media Group) for which Metrodome has U.K.; Kon-Tiki, starring Pål Sverre Valheim Hagen (HanWay Films) which is owned by A Contracorriente for Spain; Quartet, starring Maggie Smith and Michael Gambon, and directed by Dustin Hoffman (HanWay Films) already licensed to Germany – Dcm, Hungary - Ads Service Ltd., Israel - Lev Films (Shani Films), Spain - Vertice Cine, Simon Killer, starring Brady Corbet and Mati Diop (Fortissimo Film) for which IFC has U.S.; and Zaytoun starring Stephen Dorff and Alice Taglioni (Pathé International).
Other Market Premieres include: After, starring Steven Strait and Karolina Wydra (Jinga Films); The Assassins, starring Chow Yun-Fat, Yifei Liu and written by Bin Wang (Easternlight) for which Well Go has U.S. rights; Dan Mirvish's Between Us, starring Melissa George, Julia Stiles, and Taye Diggs (Premiere Entertainment Group Elias Axume's new company) which Premiere will release theatrically; a 10 minute promo of The Body, starring Belén Rueda and Hugo Silva (DeAPlaneta Internacional) which Dark Light Media will release in China; Boxing Day which premiered in Venice, starring Danny Huston and Matthew Jacobs (Independent); The Brass Teapot, starring Juno Temple, Alexis Bledel, and Annette Bening (TF1 International); Fin (The End), starring Maribel Verdu (Film Factory Entertainment) sold to France-Tf1 International, Hong Kong (China)-Intercontinental Films Dist. (Hk) Ltd., Mexico-Cien Films, New Zealand-Vendetta Films; Great Expectations, starring Helena Bonham Carter and Ralph Fiennes (HanWay Films) sold to Belgium-Paradiso Filmed Entertainment, Germany-Telepool Gmbh, Italy-Videa - Cde S.P.A., Korea (South)-Daisy & Cinergy Entertainment, Poland-Gutek Film Ltd, Russia-Carmen Film Group, Spain-A Contracorriente Films, Switzerland-Pathe Films Ag, United Arab Emirates-Front Row Filmed Entertainment, United Kingdom-Lionsgate Uk Ltd, Usa-Unison Films; Greetings from Tim Buckley, starring Penn Badgley and Imogen Poots (Celluloid Dreams) which Celluloid Dreams will distribute in France; A Late Quartet, starring Philip Seymour Hoffman and Christopher Walken (WestEnd Films) presold to Australia-Hopscotch, Netherlands-Wild Bunch Benelux, Spain-Savor Ediciones, S.A.; The Reluctant Fundamentalist after its Toronto debut, starring Kate Hudson and Liev Schreiber (K5 International) sold to Vendetta for N.Z.; Revenge for Jolly!, starring Elijah Wood, Ryan Phillippe, and Kristen Wiig (Highland Film Group); Harmony Korine's Spring Breakers, straight out of Tiff 12, starring James Franco, Selena Gomez and Vanessa Hudgens (Kinology) sold to Canada-V V S Films, France-Mars Films, Germany-Wild Bunch Germany; Thanks for Sharing, starring Mark Ruffalo and Gwyneth Paltrow and written by Stuart Blumberg (Voltage Pictures) sold to Roadside Attractions for U.S., Germany and Switzerland-Falcom Media, Greece-Strada Films, Italy-Minerva Pictures Group; What Maisie Knew, starring Alexander Skarsgård and Julianne Moore (Fortissimo Film) sold to Millennium for U.S., Germany-Pandastorm Pictures Gmbh, Turkey-Bir Film; and Writers (Tiff 12), starring Greg Kinnear, Logan Lerman, Kristen Bell, Jennifer Connelly, and Lily Collins, (The Solution Entertainment Group).
For Complete Rights Roundup Before, During And After The Major Festivals And Markets, Notify Sydney Levine Via Email Sydney At Sydneysbuzz.
- 10/23/2012
- by Sydney Levine
- Sydney's Buzz
More than 120 companies buying films from 23 countries, a record high, will be first-time participants at the 2012 American Film Market, which runs Oct. 31 to Nov. 7 in Santa Monica, Afm announced on Tuesday. About 8,000 particpants attend the market, with 1,500 buyers representing more than 750 companies from 70 countries. "We are seeing a shift in the way sub distributors acquire films as they steadily rely less on local distributors and more on direct acquisitions," said Jonathan Wolf, Afm's managing director and the executive vice president of the Independent...
- 10/16/2012
- by Liza Foreman
- The Wrap
This year's American Film Market kicks off in Santa Monica Wednesday with 10 percent more buyers than last year and 415 films up for grabs. Jonathan Wolf, executive vice president of the Independent Film & Television Alliance and managing director of the Afm, told TheWrap that he expects about $800 million of business will be done during the market's eight days. "All signs point that it should be a good market," he said. "But I can't be a weatherman." He said about 1,500 buyers will be on hand and more than 8,000 industry...
- 11/1/2011
- by Joshua L. Weinstein
- The Wrap
Afm wrapped Wednesday with overall attendance climbing 6 percent, to 7,695, from 7,246 the previous year. Buying companies increased 1 percent to 664 from 658 last year, while buying executives at the Afm remained flat with last year at 1,417 (vs.1,419 in 2009).
“The positive feeling in the halls is a direct result of production levels that are now in balance with marketplace demand,” said Afm managing director Jonathan Wolf in a statement. “Buyers are pre-buying, assuring they will have a steady flow of films, which in turn assures producers that their films have been pre-accepted by the marketplace.”
Attendance among exhibitor-affiliated participants finished at 3,321, down 1 percent from last year. Industry attendees, a category that includes all non-buyers/sellers, jumped 23 percent to a record 1,988. Rounding out the other categories are guests, up 11 percent to 753, and press, also 11 percent higher to 216.
“The positive feeling in the halls is a direct result of production levels that are now in balance with marketplace demand,” said Afm managing director Jonathan Wolf in a statement. “Buyers are pre-buying, assuring they will have a steady flow of films, which in turn assures producers that their films have been pre-accepted by the marketplace.”
Attendance among exhibitor-affiliated participants finished at 3,321, down 1 percent from last year. Industry attendees, a category that includes all non-buyers/sellers, jumped 23 percent to a record 1,988. Rounding out the other categories are guests, up 11 percent to 753, and press, also 11 percent higher to 216.
- 11/10/2010
- Moving Pictures Magazine
Eastern Europe and Asia led the growth in companies attending the American Film Market this year, according to numbers released on Wednesday. A vigourous American Film Market wound down on Wednesday with final representation from China, India and Singapore pace the growth from Asia, while Bulgaria, Croatia, Russia and Serbia were the growth leaders from Eastern Europe. Overall attendance was up 6%, up to 7,659 from 7,246 in 2009. Buying companies were up by six to 664 and the number of buying execs was two less than last year at 1,417. “The positive feeling in the halls is a direct result of production levels that are now in balance with marketplace demand,” said Afm Managing Director Jonathan Wolf, who also serves as executive vice president of the Independent Film & Television Alliance. “Buyers are pre-buying, assuring they will have a steady flow of films, which in turn assures producers that their films have been pre-accepted by the marketplace.
- 11/10/2010
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
American independent film and television companies will for the first time in March have their own pavilion at the Hong Kong Filmart thanks in part by a U.S. government grant awarded Thursday at the American Film Market.
At a ceremony on Afm's first Hong Kong Day where Raymond Yip, assistant executive director of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council and Afm president Jonathan Wolf highlighted Filmart's status as the "gateway" to China's booming entertainment market, Barbara Rawdon of the U.S. Department of Commerce awarded a $248,000 grant to the Independent Film & Television Alliance.
"At film markets around the world it's always expected to see Spanish, French and German pavilions," Ifta President Jean Prewitt said. "This grant will allow American independent companies to create a solid Filmart presence."
Additionally, Yip said that a new Pacific Bridge Initiative from the Hong Kong government would foster more U.S. business in support...
At a ceremony on Afm's first Hong Kong Day where Raymond Yip, assistant executive director of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council and Afm president Jonathan Wolf highlighted Filmart's status as the "gateway" to China's booming entertainment market, Barbara Rawdon of the U.S. Department of Commerce awarded a $248,000 grant to the Independent Film & Television Alliance.
"At film markets around the world it's always expected to see Spanish, French and German pavilions," Ifta President Jean Prewitt said. "This grant will allow American independent companies to create a solid Filmart presence."
Additionally, Yip said that a new Pacific Bridge Initiative from the Hong Kong government would foster more U.S. business in support...
- 11/4/2010
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
This just in. Press release from the 31st American Film Market (Afm) taking place at the Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel on November 3-10, 2010.
For Immediate Release
American Film Market To Screen 409 Films, Including 49 World Premieres And 287 Market Premieres
Stars with films premiering at Afm include James Brolin, Marion Cotillard, Willem Dafoe, Aaron Eckhart, Vera Farmiga, America Ferrera, Andy Garcia, Paul Giamatti, Danny Glover, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Nicole Kidman, Vanessa Redgrave, Keanu Reeves, Zoe Saldana, Hilary Swank, Emily Watson, Dianne Wiest, Rachel Weisz, Michelle Yeoh
The full screening schedule and detailed information on all films available at www.TheFilmCatalogue.com
The 31st American Film Market (Afm) AmericanFilmMarket.com from Nov. 3-10 will screen 409 motion pictures, including 49 world premieres and 287 market premieres, for thousands of film buyers and industry professionals from 70-plus countries. Jonathan Wolf, Afm Managing Director and Executive Vice President of the Independent Film & Television Alliance, made the announcement today.
For Immediate Release
American Film Market To Screen 409 Films, Including 49 World Premieres And 287 Market Premieres
Stars with films premiering at Afm include James Brolin, Marion Cotillard, Willem Dafoe, Aaron Eckhart, Vera Farmiga, America Ferrera, Andy Garcia, Paul Giamatti, Danny Glover, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Nicole Kidman, Vanessa Redgrave, Keanu Reeves, Zoe Saldana, Hilary Swank, Emily Watson, Dianne Wiest, Rachel Weisz, Michelle Yeoh
The full screening schedule and detailed information on all films available at www.TheFilmCatalogue.com
The 31st American Film Market (Afm) AmericanFilmMarket.com from Nov. 3-10 will screen 409 motion pictures, including 49 world premieres and 287 market premieres, for thousands of film buyers and industry professionals from 70-plus countries. Jonathan Wolf, Afm Managing Director and Executive Vice President of the Independent Film & Television Alliance, made the announcement today.
- 10/22/2010
- by Dave
- FamousMonsters of Filmland
The 31st American Film Market (Nov. 3-10) will screen 409 motion pictures, including 49 world premieres and 287 market premieres. Jonathan Wolf, Afm managing director and executive vice president of the Independent Film & Television Alliance, made the announcement Wednesday.
Films making their world premieres include “Age of Heroes,” starring Sean Bean, Danny Dyer, Izabella Miko and James D'Arcy (ContentFilm International); “Love, Wedding, Marriage,” starring James Brolin, Mandy Moore, Kellan Lutz and Jane Seymour (Echo Bridge Entertainment); “Dirty Girl,” with Juno Temple, Milla Jovovich, William H. Macy, Mary Steenburgen and Dwight Yoakam (The Salt Company); “Little Murder,” starring Josh Lucas, Terrence Howard and Lake Bell (Parlay Films); “The Warrior’s Way,” featuring Geoffrey Rush, Kate Bosworth and Jang Dong Gun (Kathy Morgan International); and “Yamada The Samurai of Ayothaya,” starring Seigi Ozeki and Kanokkorn Jaichuen (Golden Network Asia Limited).
Films making their world premieres include “Age of Heroes,” starring Sean Bean, Danny Dyer, Izabella Miko and James D'Arcy (ContentFilm International); “Love, Wedding, Marriage,” starring James Brolin, Mandy Moore, Kellan Lutz and Jane Seymour (Echo Bridge Entertainment); “Dirty Girl,” with Juno Temple, Milla Jovovich, William H. Macy, Mary Steenburgen and Dwight Yoakam (The Salt Company); “Little Murder,” starring Josh Lucas, Terrence Howard and Lake Bell (Parlay Films); “The Warrior’s Way,” featuring Geoffrey Rush, Kate Bosworth and Jang Dong Gun (Kathy Morgan International); and “Yamada The Samurai of Ayothaya,” starring Seigi Ozeki and Kanokkorn Jaichuen (Golden Network Asia Limited).
- 10/13/2010
- Moving Pictures Magazine
International presales used to be the panacea par excellence for the always ailing indie film business. But during the past few years, the cure no longer worked, sending many struggling indies into a coma if not straight to the morgue.
Suddenly, there are signs of recuperation: Numerous film sellers report a pleasant surprise after the recent European Film Market in Berlin. Presales are back ... sort of.
Richard Rionda Del Castro, chairman of West Hollywood-based foreign seller Hannibal Pictures, was among those who experienced better-than-anticipated results, especially for the police thriller "Son of No One," starring Al Pacino and Channing Tatum.
Although prices paid by foreign-territory buyers remain "30% to 40% lower than two years ago," says Del Castro, his company was able to close deals covering much of Western Europe, Scandinavia, Eastern Europe and Latin America.
"I could see an improvement compared to the past two years," he says. "I would say...
Suddenly, there are signs of recuperation: Numerous film sellers report a pleasant surprise after the recent European Film Market in Berlin. Presales are back ... sort of.
Richard Rionda Del Castro, chairman of West Hollywood-based foreign seller Hannibal Pictures, was among those who experienced better-than-anticipated results, especially for the police thriller "Son of No One," starring Al Pacino and Channing Tatum.
Although prices paid by foreign-territory buyers remain "30% to 40% lower than two years ago," says Del Castro, his company was able to close deals covering much of Western Europe, Scandinavia, Eastern Europe and Latin America.
"I could see an improvement compared to the past two years," he says. "I would say...
- 3/18/2010
- by By Alex Ben Block
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
A Work In Progress: Halls and the lobby of Loews remained bare and quiet until Monday when the final day approaches and buyers began congregating in final deals. Surprisingly to all multiple sales had already been made by day 2 and sales for some, if not all were better than expected even if prices were lower. At the Thursday evening European Film Promotion reception, where all friends in the biz meet with welcoming smiles, Marcus Hu of Strand said he was already packing up to go as he had made his purchases..they were already screening Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday before AFM began he said. One sales agent remarked that Toronto was the zero level and AFM looked like level 1 had been reached. One sales agent said only theatrical films were selling. Jonathan Wolf says AFM has are 10% fewer sellers (369 vs. 412 in 2008) but 4% more buyers with 13 new buyers from South Korea,...
- 11/7/2009
- by Sydney@SydneysBuzz.com (Sydney)
- Sydney's Buzz
By Brent Lang
While many sellers and buyers at the American Film Market still bear the scars from the economic recession, the event's sponsors were seeing signs of recovery on Thursday.
Despite the economic downturn, the market's managing director boasted that the indie bazaar had managed to attract more buyers than in previous years. Looking out over a sea of mostly empty chairs (perhaps a sad commentary on the decline of trade and print publications), Jonathan Wolf took advantage of the eight-day event's introductory press conference to take stock of a dramatically altered independent film land...
While many sellers and buyers at the American Film Market still bear the scars from the economic recession, the event's sponsors were seeing signs of recovery on Thursday.
Despite the economic downturn, the market's managing director boasted that the indie bazaar had managed to attract more buyers than in previous years. Looking out over a sea of mostly empty chairs (perhaps a sad commentary on the decline of trade and print publications), Jonathan Wolf took advantage of the eight-day event's introductory press conference to take stock of a dramatically altered independent film land...
- 11/4/2009
- by Brent Lang
- The Wrap
More Afm news
It's all about minding the gap.
As the American Film Market throws open its doors Wednesday, there is a chasm in expectations between what sellers are looking for from a sale of a project to what buyers can and can't afford to pay.
"There is a big gap between what sellers need and what buyers are prepared to pay," said Stewart Till, the freshly anointed Icon U.K. chief. "There are a few green shoots around, but it is still a very tough environment."
Financiers are about as cautious as they've ever been in selecting indie projects to back, and the shrinking U.S. specialty market already is impacting the marketplace.
"Back in the day, a U.S. sale really helped lock down all the other territory sales, but now it's harder than ever to close those sales," one seller said. "Now buyers want the film to be made,...
It's all about minding the gap.
As the American Film Market throws open its doors Wednesday, there is a chasm in expectations between what sellers are looking for from a sale of a project to what buyers can and can't afford to pay.
"There is a big gap between what sellers need and what buyers are prepared to pay," said Stewart Till, the freshly anointed Icon U.K. chief. "There are a few green shoots around, but it is still a very tough environment."
Financiers are about as cautious as they've ever been in selecting indie projects to back, and the shrinking U.S. specialty market already is impacting the marketplace.
"Back in the day, a U.S. sale really helped lock down all the other territory sales, but now it's harder than ever to close those sales," one seller said. "Now buyers want the film to be made,...
- 11/3/2009
- by By Stuart Kemp
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
The 30th American Film Market, which runs Nov. 4-11 in Santa Monica, will screen such films as "Get Low," starring Bill Murray, Sissy Spacek and Robert Duvall; "Unthinkable," starring Samuel L. Jackson; and "Harry Brown," starring Michael Caine and Emily Mortimer.
The market has lined up 445 films, including 73 world premieres and 311 market premieres.
More than 8,000 film buyers and industry professionals from more than 70 countries are expected to attend, according to Afm managing director Jonathan Wolf.
The simultaneous AFI Fest, which is partnered with AFM, will screen 23 films that are represented at the market, including Joe Dante's "The Hole," Michael Hoffman's "The Last Station," and Lee Daniels' "Precious."
A full screening schedule is available at www.thefilmcatalogue.com.
The market has lined up 445 films, including 73 world premieres and 311 market premieres.
More than 8,000 film buyers and industry professionals from more than 70 countries are expected to attend, according to Afm managing director Jonathan Wolf.
The simultaneous AFI Fest, which is partnered with AFM, will screen 23 films that are represented at the market, including Joe Dante's "The Hole," Michael Hoffman's "The Last Station," and Lee Daniels' "Precious."
A full screening schedule is available at www.thefilmcatalogue.com.
- 10/12/2009
- by By Gregg Kilday
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
The People's Choice Awards and the American Film Market have joined forces to create a "Favorite Film Pitch" contest.
The competition will have attendees at the Afm, which runs from Nov. 4-11 in Santa Monica, pitch projects in front of producers, distributors and, ultimately, the voting public, Pca president Fred Nelson and Afm managing director Jonathan Wolf said Wednesday.
Submissions to the contest will be recorded live Nov. 7-10 on a set at the Afm. Each pitch will be limited to two-and-a-half minutes.
The Afm will assemble a group of industry leaders to select five finalists, whose pitches will be posted on www.peopleschoice.com -- the official Pca Web site -- following CBS' broadcast of the 2010 People's Choice Awards in early January. Fans will vote for the winner.
The winner will also receive an Afm 2010 package that includes full access for two to the Afm, including seminars and conferences...
The competition will have attendees at the Afm, which runs from Nov. 4-11 in Santa Monica, pitch projects in front of producers, distributors and, ultimately, the voting public, Pca president Fred Nelson and Afm managing director Jonathan Wolf said Wednesday.
Submissions to the contest will be recorded live Nov. 7-10 on a set at the Afm. Each pitch will be limited to two-and-a-half minutes.
The Afm will assemble a group of industry leaders to select five finalists, whose pitches will be posted on www.peopleschoice.com -- the official Pca Web site -- following CBS' broadcast of the 2010 People's Choice Awards in early January. Fans will vote for the winner.
The winner will also receive an Afm 2010 package that includes full access for two to the Afm, including seminars and conferences...
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