A flock of pigeons perch at the Santa Monica Pier on Tuesday, October 26, 2010.

Seven lifeguard towers line up at Venice beach on Friday, October 29, 2010.

Santa Monica Convention & Visitors Bureau Welcome Ambassadors greet attendees at Ocean Avenue as they arrive for the American Film Market (AFM) on Wednesday, November 2, 2010.

The business of independent motion picture production and distribution - a truly collaborative process - reaches its peak every year at the American Film Market. Over ...8,000 industry leaders converge in Santa Monica for eight days of deal-making, screenings, seminars, red carpet premieres, networking and parties. Participants come from over 70 countries and include acquisition and development executives, agents, attorneys, directors, distributors, festival directors, financiers, film commissioners, producers, writers, the world’s press all those who provide services to the motion picture industry.

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.

The AFM transforms Santa Monica. The Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel and the Le Merigot Beach Hotel are converted into a busy marketplace. All 23 screens on the Santa Monica Promenade and the surrounding community become AFM screening rooms for the entire eight-day event and eight digital and video screening rooms are added just for the AFM. Participants may view more than 900 screenings of approximately 500 films - 31 new films every two hours - the majority of them world or U.S. premieres. Titles range from big budget blockbusters that will be released by the major studios in the U.S., to lower budget art and genre films recognized at international film festivals, all destined for theaters and television around the world.

With 8,000 attendees, 900 screenings, and seminars programmed by leading industry organizations, the American Film Market continues to be the pivotal destination for independent filmmakers and business people from all over the world.



Santa Monica residents cast their vote at City Hall on Tuesday, November 2, 2010.

A group of tourist from Australia play rugby at Santa Monica Beach on Tuesday, November 2, 2010.

PALloween 2010 - Images by Fabian Lewkowicz

Participants compete in the 19th annual PALloween Costume Contest at Barker Hangar on Sunday, October 31, 2010.PALloween is the Westside's premiere Halloween event for families on Halloween night which features, costume contests, trick-or-treat lane, haunted house, tot area, and game booths.
 
All proceeds from the event will benefit PAL for their development and maintenance of cultural, educational and recreational programs. PAL provides free programs to more that 1,600 youths in the Santa Monica area. PAL is a unique community organization that fosters trust between youth and the men and women of the Santa Monica Police Department in a safe and nurturing environment. Through outstanding educational, cultural, recreational, and outreach programs, PAL helps develop skills and self-esteem, encouraging youth to reach their full potential. PAL provides free educational, cultural, and recreational programs for youth ages 6 - 17 years. Activities offered include homework assistance, computer classes, cooking, creative dramatics, arts & crafts, dance, karate, basketball, excursions, and special events. A slate of activities, including trips, sports leagues, specialized classes, and computer instruction is available to teens ages 14 - 17 years. Coaches and instructors for the PAL program come from the Santa Monica Police and Community and Cultural Services Departments and from community members who volunteer their time. The PAL Youth Center is open Monday through Saturday.

The Breadman's Nick Zuvic sells a loaf of bread to his customer from his van at the public parking lot adjacent to  the Santa Monica Main Street Farmers Market on Sunday, October 31, 2010. The Breadman has been selling at the Santa Monica Farmers market for the past 16 years. He can no longer sell his breads at the Farmers Market being that his application was not selected when the new Farmers Market policy took affect earlier this month. The Breadman has just been issued a new City of Santa Monica Vendor /Lunch Truck Permit to sell breads, pretzels, bagels, and pastry. His many loyal customers were happy to see him and enjoyed purchasing his bread again.