The American Film Market (AFM) has landed in Las Vegas for its 45th edition from November 5–10, marking a significant expansion and bringing the world’s leading independent production, sales, distribution, and buying companies to the iconic Palms Casino Resort.
The move, announced earlier this year by the Independent Film & Television Alliance (IFTA=), underscores AFM’s growth as it seeks to create a more connected and comprehensive film market experience under one roof. This year’s AFM has already achieved a sold-out exhibition space, along with strong buyer and attendee registrations representing 80 countries.
In total, 286 sales, production, and distribution companies will be showcasing at AFM, alongside international trade organizations, film commissions, and national umbrella stands from 34 countries. The impressive roster includes prominent industry names such as A24, AGC Studios, Altitude Film Sales, Anton, Arclight Films, Bankside Films, Beta Cinema, Black Bear Pictures, CJ ENM, FilmNation, Lionsgate, and NEON, reflecting a significant assembly of both global and local talent.
Key Event Highlights:
This year’s AFM will transform the Palms Casino Resort into a dedicated Market hub. Exhibitor offices and meeting spaces will be centrally located across the resort’s Fantasy Tower on floors 8-17, 25, and 26, as well as in the Nove Lounge.
For those seeking global partnerships, LocationEXPO, hosted in the Palms Ballroom on the 2nd Floor, will welcome film commissions, government agencies, and production service companies from across the globe, including the U.S., Barbados, Italy, Japan, the Philippines, Saudi Arabia, and Thailand.
Highlighting the diversity of participants, the exhibitor lineup spans nations from China and Germany to Italy and Thailand, each hosting umbrella stands that showcase a mix of national companies and local producers. This year’s exhibitors will present their projects, connect with industry decision-makers, and attend exclusive networking events.
Over 200 screenings will be held at the Palms’ Brenden Theatres, giving attendees a first look at some of the most anticipated upcoming films. The AFM Sessions, presented by Wrapbook & Film Hawaii, will feature 100 prominent figures across 30 panels and presentations on two stages.
The sessions will focus on emerging industry trends, practical advice for filmmakers, and innovations in financing, distribution, and sales.
Key Panels and Highlights
November 6:
- From Local to Global: Developing Stories & Content for Worldwide Appeal – Main Stage
- Matt Brodlie (Upgrade Productions), Katie Irwin (WME Independent), Matt Mueller (Screen International), Peter Van Steemburg (XYZ Films)
- Finding Gold: Captivating Narratives and Essential Story Ideas – Main Stage
- Miranda Bailey (Cold Iron Pictures), Karin Chien (dGenerate Films), Phil Goldfine (Producer), Michele Kanan (Producer, Writer, Director), Michael Musante (Cherokee Film)
- Producing and Financing Films for Social Impact – Main Stage
- Mary Aloe (Aloe Entertainment), Josh Harris (Peachtree Media), Jonathon Glucksman (Wondermind), Robert Rippberger (SIE Society), Jarnell Stokes (Stoked Bros. Media)
November 7:
- Finance I: Independent Film Financing in Today’s Financial Landscape – Main Stage
- Jill Goldsmith (Deadline), Jon Gosier (Film Hedge), George Hamilton (Protagonist Pictures), Paula Paizes (Pressman Films), Miguel Palos (AGC Studio)
- Confronting Fear: Transcending & Elevating the Horror Genre – Main Stage
- Gregory Chambet (WTFILMS), Emily Gotto (Shudder), Tom Malloy (Glass House Distribution), Bob Portal (AMP), Priscilla Ross Smith (The Coven)
- A highlight of the Sessions is “The Innovators,” where two industry titans—Stuart Ford, Chairman & CEO of AGC Studios, and Sébastien Raybaud, Founder & CEO of Anton—will share insights and future projections in independent cinema. Ford and Raybaud will each participate in one-on-one interviews on November 7, moderated by Jeremy Kay of Screen International and Scott Roxborough of The Hollywood Reporter.
November 8:
- Finance II: Choosing Locations to Maximize Budgets – Main Stage
- Ryan Broussard (Wrapbook), Jeffery Greenstein (A Higher Standard), Andi Isaacs (UNLV), Simon Williams (Palisades Park Pictures)
- Black Culture at the Epicenter of Hollywood – View Stage
- Kyle Bowser (NAACP Hollywood Bureau)
- The Realities of Global Film Sales: Shaping Today’s Market – Main Stage
- Clay Epstein (Film Mode Entertainment), Tiffany Boyle (Ramo Law PC), Mimi Steinbauer (Radiant Films), Brian O’Shea (The Exchange)
November 9:
- AFM Pitch Conference: Mastering the Art of Pitching & Live Pitches – Main Stage
- Cassian Elwes (Elevated), Lee Jessup (leejessup.com), Lorelle Lynch (AGC Studios)
- Killing It at the Box Office: How Cineverse’s Horror Hit Won Opening Weekend – Main Stage
- Chris McGurk (Cineverse), Lauren McCarthy (Cineverse), Thomas K Arnold (Media Play News)
- Maximizing Impact with Limited Budgets – Main Stage
- Paul Bales (The Asylum), Jeff Deverett (Producer), Efuru Flowers (Flourishing Films), Chris Gore (Film Threat), Max Woertendyke (Noble Gas Media)
“We’re excited to bring AFM to Las Vegas,” says Michael Ryan, Chairman of IFTA. “The convergence of industry expertise, screenings, and global collaboration will make this year’s event an impactful milestone for the market and for our participating exhibitors.”
The AFM goes from November 5 – 10.
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