Organizers Predict Record Attendance at 2006 International Market and Festival
Since the formation of their strategic partnership in 2004, the American Film Market and AFI FEST have grown to become the largest gathering of film industry professionals in North America. Registration is running well ahead of last November’s events and organizers predict that turnout for this year will easily top the 2005 attendance of more than 9,000 individuals working in all facets of the motion picture industry from 70 countries. The AFM is set for November 1-8, 2006 in Santa Monica and the AFI FEST will take place November 1-12, 2006 in Hollywood.
The announcement was made today by Jonathan Wolf, Executive Vice
President, Independent Film & Television Alliance and Managing Director,
American Film Market and Christian Gaines, Director, AFI FEST.
The premier events have experienced steady growth each year. In 2005, the
AFM hit a record-breaking attendance of 8,014, including acquisition and
development executives, agents, attorneys, directors, distributors, financiers, film commissioners, producers and writers, and organizers are anticipating a 5% increase for the 2006 Market.
AFI FEST also registered record numbers in 2005 with 512 filmmakers from 35
countries, 372 international press representatives, 343 industry professionals, as well as 60,087 consumer attendees. AFI FEST, which in 2006 will be celebrating 20 years as a program of the American Film Institute, is projecting further growth over last year.
“A major benefit of our partnership with AFI FEST is the opportunity for a
selection of our exhibitors’ films to be programmed in the Festival, creating
additional exposure and marketing platforms,” said Wolf. “Producers and
distributors from around the world have successfully integrated the Festival and Market. Their feedback has been terrific.”
“AFI FEST filmmakers are building the Market into their strategies. Many have
sales representation at AFM, while some are orienting themselves to the Market for the very first time,” added Gaines. “Enthused audiences and potent press
prospects at AFI FEST combined with the international business environment of
AFM offers fertile ground for opportunity.”
Of the 75 narrative feature films and 17 feature documentaries that played at AFI FEST 2005, 45 films were represented in both the film festival and the film
market. In 2005 alone, films securing territories, including U.S. distribution in many cases included: MUTUAL APPRECIATION, THE LOST CITY, RIPLEY UNDERGROUND, THE RED SHOES, THROUGH THE FIRE, AN AMERICAN HAUNTING, FUCK and SPL.
The association between the two events has built a bridge between art and
commerce, broadening the opportunities for all participants. While the AFM and
AFI FEST continue to be individually managed, they have created a number of
joint programs that bring value to the vast domestic and international
constituency that attends the events:
AFM provides Market badges to all of AFI FEST’s filmmakers, which
allows them access to the entire Market, including AFM’s lineup of
conferences and seminars where they can interact with and learn from
prominent filmmakers, financiers, industry executives and talent.
AFM hosts a brunch and workshop for AFI FEST filmmakers to educate
them on how to navigate and take advantage of opportunities at the
Market.
AFM offers a press conference center for AFI FEST filmmakers to
showcase talent and make announcements regarding their films to the
attending international media.
AFI FEST created a Priority List program to provide the maximum number
of benefits at AFI FEST to AFM exhibitors who desire to make the most
out of the AFI FEST/AFM partnership. Priority List members receive
priority industry badges, reserved Gala tickets, hotel rooms, entry into AFI
FEST parties and free luxury transportation. 95 AFM exhibitors joined the
Priority List program in 2005.
All AFM exhibiting companies receive a complimentary AFI FEST ProPass, as well as access to exclusive ticket pre-sales.
Each AFM buying company is eligible for complimentary tickets to any regular festival screening at AFI FEST.
All AFM badge holders get unlimited access to the AFI FEST’s Cinema Lounge in the AFI FEST Rooftop Village, which serves as the Festival's central hospitality area and meeting place.
AFM buyers have the opportunity to screen titles on DVD or VHS at the
AFI FEST Video Library.
AFM offers internship opportunities for “Fellows” of the American Film
Institute’s producers program with AFM exhibiting companies. 20 students
participated in this program in 2005.
Complimentary round-trip transportation on the exclusive AFM to AFI FEST shuttle bus running non-stop daily from the AFM headquarters at the Loews Santa Monica Hotel to the ArcLight Theater Complex in Hollywood, home of AFI FEST.
26.10.2006 | Editor's blog
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