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)