The American Film Market (AFM) wrapped up yesterday, marking the end of its 28th year in our beachside city. As host of the world’s largest motion picture event, Santa Monica welcomed more than 7,000 global film leaders from more than 80 countries over the course of eight days. During the conference, producers, distributors, sales agents, directors and key members of the worldwide motion picture and television industry convened for screenings, deal-making, panels, networking and parties.
AFM provides an important economic boost to our city, from supporting our hospitality industry to infusing the destination with innovative ideas. Event attendees filled local hotel rooms, restaurants, theatres and retail outlets throughout the duration of the conference, infusing an estimated $25 million in spending into the local Santa Monica economy. That this business comes at a time of year that is typically off-peak for our tourism industry, makes the group especially ideal for our community.
During AFM, Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel transformed into a bustling marketplace for a conference where more than 300 films are screened over the course of eight days. In fact, 90% of the world’s films are financed, produced and/or distributed by AFM participants.
Known as “Hollywood by the Beach,” Santa Monica’s is an ideal location to screen films with a plethora of theaters all located within the city’s 8.3 square miles. As in previous years, Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel converted hotel ballroom space into screening rooms. AMC Santa Monica, ArcLight, Broadway Cineplex, Laemmle Monica Film Center and Ocean Screening Room also hosted AFM attendees, giving buyers the opportunity to view screenings in ideal environments across the AFM campus.
“Santa Monica has been our home for 28 years and every year the AFM experience exceeds the previous.” said Jonathan Wolf, managing director of the American Film Market. “Our 7,000 participants from more than 80 countries always look forward to their annual trip to Santa Monica.”
AFM will return to Santa Monica November 6-13, 2019 and November 4-11, 2020.
