AFM to Wrap with Buyer Attendance Up

SANTA MONICA: This year’s American Film Market concludes tomorrow, with the number of buying companies up 8 percent, buying executives up 7 percent and an increase in overall attendance of 4 percent.

There were a reported 718 buying companies and 1,523 buying executives. Industry attendees (including all non-buyers/sellers) were at a record 2,402, up 21 percent. Overall attendance figures were at 7,988.

“We are thrilled with the strong growth in buyers—it’s our most important metric—and selling out the new AFM Conference Series in its first year underscores the AFM’s relevance to the production community,” said AFM’s managing director, Jonathan Wolf, who also serves as executive VP of the Independent Film & Television Alliance.

China had in increase of 61 percent in its number of buying companies represented at the AFM, while Germany was up 38 percent and the U.K. 16 percent. South Korea (15 percent) and Japan (11 percent) also posted increases in buying companies. Overall, attendance of buying companies from the Middle East rose 35 percent, while Asia grew 17 percent.