AFM Bulks Up Conference Lineup

LOS ANGELES: The American Film Market (AFM) is to feature an expanded conference schedule, with a roster of senior executives from companies such as 20th Century Fox, Disney, Entertainment One and Sony Pictures.

Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld and Entertainment Partners are the presenting sponsors of the AFM Conference Series. From November 2 to 9, the conference series will feature prominent filmmakers, financiers and industry execs covering all aspects of filmmaking.

The Finance Conference, which looks at the current state of independent film financing, will feature panelists from The Walt Disney Company, Hyde Park Entertainment, Summit Entertainment, Motion Picture Capital and GK Films. The Pitch Conference, looking at who to get a film made and put on the shelf, will feature audience volunteers pitching to a panel of Hollywood decision-makers, who will give feedback on each presentation. Panelists include Tobin Armbrust, the senior VP and head of production at Exclusive Media, and Cassian Elwes, an independent producer/agent, with the session led by Good in a Room’s Stephanie Palmer. The Marketing Conference will examine the role of the consumer as a marketing tool. The Production Conference spotlights incorporating brands into the production process. The Distribution Conference highlights strategies for managing and monetizing global platforms.