The American Film Market will be hopping at the end of the month with a record number of buying companies representing 70 countries in attendance at the event in Santa Monica, which features screenings, conferences, networking and parties, according to The Sacramento Bee.
Of the more than 750 buying companies that will be in attendance, 120 will be there for the first time, and 23 countries will make their AFM debut, according to The Bee. Filmmakers are hopeful that this is a sign of a renewed interest in investing in film from buyers, both local and abroad.
More than 1,500 representatives will be on hand for eight days of deal-making on films in all stages of development and production at the AFM, which runs from Oct. 31 to Nov. 7, according to the report.
“We are seeing a shift in the way sub-distributors acquire films as they steadily rely less on local distributors and more on direct acquisitions,” said Jonathan Wolf, AFM managing director.
According to Variety, new U.S. buyers include Artsploitation, Big Air, Bristol Media International, Cinedigm, Cobalt Media, Euramco, Filmedia World Entertainment, Funimation Entertainment, Hulu, Imax, Industrial Entertainment, Snapsoul, Tribeca Enterprises and Universal Studios Home Entertainment.
“The AFM welcomes and looks forward to supporting the producers, distributors and national organizations from every corner of the world,” the Asian Journal quoted Wolf as saying.
“We also expect a significant increase in buyers from China,” he said. Last year's market saw an increase in buyers from China of 61 percent, according to Variety.
Per Variety, a total 420 films will screen, more than 300 of which will debut, including Magnolia Pictures’ “The ABCs of Death;” the Match Factory’s “Ginger and Rosa,” starring Christina Hendricks and Elle Fanning; and Dustin Hoffman-directed “Quartet.”