The American Film Market (AFM) is back in full force, returning to Los Angeles tomorrow, November 11 – 16, at the Fairmont Century Plaza — and it’s already completely sold out of exhibition space.
The world’s leading gathering for independent film production, sales, distribution, and finance will welcome 285 exhibitors from 35 countries, introducing hundreds of new projects and screenings, including AFM world and market premieres, promo reels, and presentations. Exhibitor offices will occupy floors 3–5 and 9–11 of the Fairmont, with an additional Exhibitor Pavilion on P1.
More than 80 countries will be represented as thousands of producers, buyers, distributors, and service companies descend on Century City. The complete exhibitor list is available at here.
New AFM Sessions Lineup
AFM has also revealed additional speakers and panels for The AFM Sessions, spotlighting executives and creatives from AGC Studios, Bleecker Street, Charades, HanWay Films, FX, HBO, Highland Film Group, NAACP, PGA, SAG-AFTRA, Samuel Goldwyn Films, TrustNordisk, Tribeca Enterprises, and more.
Across 35 sessions on P2 of the Fairmont, attendees can expect four days of deep dives into storytelling, financing, streaming, and innovation. New highlights include:
- The Innovators – From Fan to Financier: New Models in Film Financing and Distribution
Wed, Nov 12 | 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Speakers: Marc Iserlis (Republic Film), Willie Morris (Watrfall), Christopher Woodrow (MCT) - What Audiences Want: Producing Stories That Connect
Wed, Nov 12 | 1:30 PM – 2:30 PM
Speakers: Paula Paizes (Pressman Film), Joe Lewis (Amplify Pictures), JJ Caruth (The Avenue / Highland Film Group) - Everything Producers Need to Know to Work with SAG-AFTRA Successfully
Wed, Nov 12 | 3:30 PM – 4:30 PM
Speakers: Olga Rodriguez-Aguirre (SAG-AFTRA), Susan Sprung (PGA) - From Festivals to Audiences: The Enduring Power of Global Arthouse Films
Wed, Nov 12 | 4:30 PM – 5:30 PM
Speakers: Matt Mueller (Screen International), Yohann Comte (Charades), Kent Sanderson (Bleecker Street), Gabrielle Stewart (HanWay Films), Susan Wendt (TrustNordisk) - Amazing Thailand Talk: Unlocking Thailand’s Cinematic Potential
Thu, Nov 13 | 10:30 AM – 11:30 AM
Speakers: Jay Roewe (HBO/Warner Bros. Discovery), Matt Magielnicki (FX), Kevin Bernhardt (Writer/Producer/Actor), Tor Saralamba (Royal Thai Consulate LA) - Crafting the Narrative: From Inspiration to Compelling Stories
Thu, Nov 13 | 1:30 PM – 2:30 PM
Speakers: Kyle Bowser (NAACP Hollywood Bureau), Lourdes Diaz (AGC Studios), Jarod Neece (Tribeca Enterprises), Elliot Kotek (The Nation of Artists) - Pride & Progress: The Unfolding Story of LGBTQ+ Content from Financing to Distribution
Thu, Nov 13 | 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Speakers: Sav Rodgers (Transgender Film Center), Frank Jaffee (Altered Innocence), Ahbra Perry (Chroma), Kathy Susca (The Film Collaborative) - The Streaming Equation: Inside Licensing, Revenue Share & Distribution Economics
Fri, Nov 14 | 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Speakers: Shaked Berenson (Studio Dome), Lauren Farbstein (Samuel Goldwyn Films), Mike Messina (Blue Harbor Entertainment), David Rimawi (The Asylum), Lise Romanoff (Vision Films) - The Producer’s Journey: Courage, Clarity & Craft – Presented by Pepperdine
Fri, Nov 14 | 5:00 PM – 6:30 PM
Speakers: Stephanie Allain (Hustle & Flow, Dear White People), Suzanne Farwell (The Holiday, It’s Complicated, The Intern)
The full AFM Sessions schedule, including AI and Finance programs previously announced, is available at americanfilmmarket.com/the-afm-sessions.
Innovation & Global Connections
Running alongside the main Market are two new signature hubs:
- The Innovation Hub – Presented in collaboration with the Cannes Marché du Film, this space will showcase companies and technologies shaping the future of filmmaking — from AI and virtual production to emerging creative tools and business platforms.
- LocationEXPO – Featuring 30 film commissions and location service organizations from around the world, open daily on P2 at the Fairmont.
AFM 2025 runs November 11 – 16 at the Fairmont Century Plaza in Beverly Hills, uniting the global film industry once again under one roof in Los Angeles. Stay with Reel 360 News as we bring you daily coverage.
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