Film makers, producers, writers, directors and actors – the time is now to shine.  The 30th annual American Film Market (AFM) is about to start.  The dates are November 4th through November 11th and not only is it a great chance to network and market yourself but there are some great seminars and panels.  Founded in 1981, AFM has become the premiere global marketplace where Hollywood’s decision makers and trendsetters gather.  

This year’s seminars include film executives, producers, writers, directors, distributors, financiers and attorneys.  

In AFM Finance Conference, 9 am on Friday November 6th, you’ll learn about the future of independent film financing.  Two high powered panels – The Current State of the Independent Film Business and Foreign Investment-- will discuss emerging trends and financing options.   John Burke moderates with Ryan Kavanaugh, Morgan Rector and Modi Wiczyk on the first panel and Benson R Berro on the second. 

At 4:30 that same day Hong Kong presents a panel of veterans sharing their views about Hong Kong and it’s gateway to China.  This is one of the most lucrative areas of the world and has sponsored a number of co-productions.  Developed by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council it discusses FILMART as a co-production alternative.

Saturday  at 9 am is one panel that is going to be crowded.  It’s the ever popular Pitch Me presented by IFTA (Independent Film &Television Alliance.) Teaching on the art of the pithy pitch, this intensive session, led by Peggy Rajski and joined by Caroline Baron and Ron Yerxa, will give a dozen filmmakers the opportunity to pitch their projects to a variety of agents and productions execs.  Each pitcher will receive feedback on what they did right and what they did wrong.  

The afternoon session gives us a chance to meet with the great Dov S-S Simens who will take you through the process of producing and distributing in this global market.  His book, Reel to Deal, is a must for budding producers.  

Sunday’s events give us the Changing Indie Distribution Strategies. Programmed by the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (in Los Angeles), the talk will center on the revolutionary production choices now opening up despite the closing of traditional methods.  Moderator John Alan Simon, along with panelist Chris Hyams, Ted Mundorff, Jon Reiss, David Shultz and Leslie Urdang, will discuss “How will income be generated from new sources as on –demand, internet downloads and direct website DVD sales?”  A challenging and still evolving marketplace, this new media is worth paying attention to.  

At 2 pm.  The DIY Distribution Playbook will show what is working now and what is coming next.  Moderated by Adam Chapnick and paneled by Sacha Gervasi, Jon Reiss, and Matt Tyrnauer, the program is a must for new producers.  

Later that day, SAG will discuss A Filmmaker’s Resource.  Hosted by Darrien Michele Gipson and joined by Simon Abou Fadel, Mark Friedlander and William Marshall, they will highlight the different departments offered by SAG indie that are necessary for producers such as the contracts, casting and exhibiting your film.  

Monday is another must hear day. Starting out at 11 am, it’s writing for the genre world.  Programmed by the Writers Guild of America, West, it will be hosted by Mick Garrris.  Larry Cohen, Howard Rodman, Juliet Snowden, Stiles White, and Stephen Susco, join as panelist as they address how to enlist elements from past films and yet still make your script original and how does marketing takeover to reach those built in audience.

That afternoon Jonathan Dayton along with panelists Darcy Antonellis, Brad Beutlich, Alann McNeil, and Barbara Mudge will discuss Walking the Digital Plank – dealing with with on line pirates.  

Early evening, How To Package and Finance Your Independent Project Overseas will be presented by the Producers Guild of America.  An insider’s look on what it takes to attract talent, strategic partners, and financing for films with an international setting, it will be moderated by William Stuart and Tim O’Hair.

Tuesday’s events will include The New Rules of Indie Marketing by Film Independent and moderated by Michael Donaldson.  Joined by Sacha Gervasi, Susan Jackson, Dennis Rice and Russell Schwartz, he will discuss new outlets and distribution in the Twitter age.   This will be followed by The New Hollywood Movie Studio.  Produced by Women in Film and L. A. International Committee, it will be led by Peter Broderick, Thomas Mai, Marianna Palka, and Nonny de la Pena.  The early evening’s presentation will be a discussion of Film or Digital: How to do beautiful images on a Shoestring Budget.  Sponsored by the American Society of Cinematographers, the program will be moderated by George Spiro Dibie and joined by Richard Crudo, David Darby, Johnny Jensen, Denis Lenoir, Isidore Mankofsky, Donald Morgan, Michael Negrin, Daryn Okada, Antony Palmierri, Robert Primes, Roberto Schaefer and Nancy Schreiber.  

In addition to the wonderful program there will be screenings of individual films .  Over 445 motion pictures in 27 languages will be shown. This will include 73 world premieres and 311 market premieres   “8,000 plus industry professionals from more than 70 countries are expected to attend,” says Jonathan Wolf, AFM’s managing director and executive vice president of IFTA.   For a list of films visit www.TheFilmCatalogue.com.  (This site operates year round and includes line ups at EFM, Filmart and Cannes.)

For more information visit www.AmericanFilmMarket.com   Tickets can be bought for the full time or on a daily basis.  The full market badge is $895, half market is $345 and a day badge is $275
For more information 310 446 1000; 

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