SANTA MONICA TRAVEL & TOURISM Welcome Ambassadors  greet attendees at the Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel on opening day of the American Film Market (AFM) on Wednesday, October 31, 2018.

More than 8,000 film industry leaders from 70 countries will attend the world's largest film market, American Film Market (AFM).  For eight days, Santa Monica will be transformed into a bustling marketplace as film industry executives arrive to the city, infusing the local economy with an estimated direct spending impact of more than $20 million dollars this year alone and $100 million over the next five years.

"Santa Monica is honored to welcome AFM for the 22nd straight year and delighted that the market has selected Santa Monica as the host-city through 2017," said Santa Monica Convention & Visitors Bureau (SMCVB) CEO/President Misti Kerns. "This city-wide convention brings many benefits to our community including good jobs and an economic boost during a typically off-peak season.  In addition, it allows us to showcase Santa Monica to highly influential international travelers who seek the creative inspiration our destination evokes."

"The AFM Campus in Santa Monica will serve as the backdrop for production and distribution deals, screenings, conferences, premieres, networking, parties and an extraordinary experience for all participants," said Jonathan Wolf, executive vice president of the Independent Film & Television Alliance and managing director of AFM.  "We are thrilled that Santa Monica will be our home for a very long time."

Founded in 1981, the American Film Market (AFM) has grown steadily to become the premiere global marketplace where Hollywood’s decision-makers and trendsetters all gather under one roof. Unlike a film festival, the AFM is a marketplace where production and distribution deals are closed. In just eight days, more than $800 million in deals will be sealed — on both completed films and those that haven’t started shooting yet — making AFM the must-attend industry event. (Visit Santa Monica)

Live from the All You Can Carry Pumpkin patch at the Santa Monica Farmers Market on Wednesday, October 31, 2018.

Highlights from Special Olympics Southern California's 22nd annual Pier del Sol at the #SantaMonicaPier on Sunday, October 14, 2018.

Pier del Sol is a fun-filled fundraiser for the entire family that benefits more than 17,000 athletes of the Special Olympics Southern California.

The guests enjoyed unlimited rides and games at Pacific Park, a VIP outdoor brunch with over 36 of Greater L.A.'s top restaurants and much more! Maria Shriver and Bobby Shriver are the honorary chairs.

Highlights from the Annual AltCar Expo (Alternative Energy and Transportation Expo) at the Santa Monica Civic Center on Saturday, October 13, 2018.

The expo provides one of the most extensive presentations of Alternative technology vehicles and transportation, infrastructure, renewable energies, energy efficiency and urban planning found worldwide. #AltCarExpo18

Top competitive eaters compete in the first-ever The Pacific Park World Taco-Eating Championship at the Santa Monica Pier during National Taco Day on Thursday, October 4, 2018. Joey "Jaws” Chestnut won the competition by eating 62 carnitas tacos in eight minutes

The Irish 66ers roll down the Santa Monica Pier on Tuesday, October 2, 2018, after completing their nine-day cross-country road trip on the Mother Road. The Irish motorcyclists traveled 2,448 miles along the historic Route 66 to raise money for the Temple Street Children's Hospital Foundation. Since the first ever Route 66 Challenge in aid of Temple Street took place in 2002, the challenge has raised more than 1.5 million euro in much-needed funds for the Hospital. #Route664TempleStreet #RollOn2018

The Santa Monica Police Department serve breakfast to guests at The OP Café on Ocean Park in Santa Monica on Saturday, September 29, 2018. Diners were “served by the badge” as SMPD staffs the restaurant for the morning rush, taking guests’ orders and serving up coffee, pancakes, breakfast burritos and more. #ServedByTheBadge

Highlights from the Santa Monica Lions Club’s 64th Annual Pancake Breakfast at the Santa Monica Boys and Girls Club on Saturday, September 29, 2018. The proceeds from pancake breakfast supports many worthwhile organizations in the community such as the Santa Monica Boys & Girls Clubs, The Santa Monica YMCA, L.O.V.E. Program Foundation for the Junior Blind and Various Local Charities. Lions Clubs are an international network of 1.3 million men and women in 205 countries and geographic areas who work together to answer the needs that challenge communities around the world. Known for working to end preventable blindness, Lions participate in a vast variety of projects important to their communities. These projects range from cleaning up local parks to providing supplies to victims of natural disasters. Beginning in 1917, the association of Lions clubs has provided millions of people with the opportunity to give something back to their communities.