The American Film Market 2017, which opened its doors last Wednesday and just ended November 8 in Santa Monica, has reportedly seen a significant surge in participants this year with 445 exhibiting companies attending, an 18% increase over 2016.
Notable growth comes from around the world, including South Korea (+13), Italy (+9), Romania (+9) France (+5) and Russia (+5).
Exhibitors from India (3) participated after a three-year absence for the country.
AFM is seeing a strong contingent of first-time buying companies, highlighting the continued growth and relevance of the market. The new companies, at least 76 so far, are coming from China (13), South Korea (11), India (3) and 30 other countries. Total attendance is forecast at more than 7,400, a 6% increase from 2016. Final attendance numbers will be available at the end of the market.
“The uptick in participation singles that the Independents are adapting to changing marketplace and can now confidently forecast future values,” said Jonathan Wolf, Managing Director of the American Film Market.
Attendees are benefiting from a number of new events and initiatives this year, including the debut of LocationEXPO® which has welcomed more than 60 Film Commissions from around the world.
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AFM also recently launched AFM Screenings On Demand, an online screenings platform that allows sales companies to screen their films privately for Buyers before, during and/or after the Market. AFM Screenings On Demand concludes on March 31st, one week after Hong Kong FILMART.
AFM Conferences, Roundtables and Special Events are also presenting over 130 speakers including Lionsgate’s Thomas Hughes, OddLot Entertainment’s Adrian Alperovich, Independent Producer/Agent Cassian Elwes, Skydance Media’s Jesse Sisgold, Sidney Kimmel Entertainment’s John Penotti, Black Bear Pictures’ Ben Stillman and STX Films’ Sam Brown.
337 films are currently scheduled to screen at the AFM – 40 more than last year – including 264 Market Premieres and 61 World Premieres, plus 76 films screening on demand.
This is great news for the AFM, which had seen a drop over the last couple of years. Bottom line, the increase in attendance means there are that many more to ponder the banner on the fifth floor – Steven Segal and Mike Tyson in China Salesman.
Contact Colin Costello at colin@reelchicago.com or follow him on Twitter @colincostello10.
