sponsored by I AM FILM

9:15am – 12:45pm
Pitching Essentials
A good pitch can get a bad film made while a bad pitch can leave a terrific project languishing on the shelf. Pitching is part art (it’s creative), part science (it needs to follow a tight script) and part sales (you have to wow them). Conference attendees will learn the essential rules and tools of pitching from the experts.

The 2-Minute Pitches
Volunteers selected in advance will pitch to our expert panel. They will give unvarnished feedback on each pitch – explaining what worked, what didn’t – and why.

Presenter/Moderator
Pilar Alessandra, Instructor/Consultant, On The Page

Panelists
Tobin Armbrust, President, Virgin Produced
Cassian Elwes, Independent Producer/Agent

To be considered to pitch on stage, you will need to submit a 2-minute video pitch. For details on how to submit your pitch, read AFM Pitch Conference Guide To Creating An Effective Video Pitch.

Saturday, November 5
3:00pm – 4:30pm
AFM Orientation

Speaker
Jonathan Wolf, Managing Director, American Film Market

We recommend that producers read How to Work the AFM in advance.

Saturday, November 5
5:00pm – 6:30pm
Making an Impact: How Telling LGBT Stories Can Pay Off 
Presented in partnership with Outfest.

Film and TV content featuring LGBT characters has become increasingly visible. LGBT stories simultaneously reflect and affect the culture and historical moment they are produced in. This Roundtable will discuss all the ways LGBT stories pay off, from box office gross and awards recognition, to the role of cultural impact and audience engagement. Our panel of industry executives and filmmakers will reveal how you will benefit by including an LGBT character in your next film.

Moderator
Lucy Mukerjee-Brown, Director of Programming, Outfest

Speakers
J. Todd Harris, Executive Producer, The Kids Are All Right
Cassian Elwes, Independent Producer/Agent, Dallas Buyers Club
Melissa Coghlan, Producer, Below Her Mouth
Tina Mabry, Writer/Director/Producer, Queen Sugar; Mississippi Damned