AFM at a Crossroads: Top Sales Agents Demand Los Angeles Return

 The American Film Market is facing a pivotal moment as seven leading sales agencies demand its return to Los Angeles, threatening to create their own marketplace if the event remains in Las Vegas for 2025. Brandon Blake, entertainment attorney at Blake & Wang P.A., unpacks this development for us.

 

                                                                         Brandon Blake

 

The Las Vegas No-No

 

Despite an increased attendance of 5,500 at the Palms Casino venue, major industry players (including AGC Studios, Black Bear, FilmNation, and Lionsgate) expressed strong dissatisfaction with the new Las Vegas location. Complaints ranged from inadequate facilities to logistical challenges, with sources citing expensive equipment rentals and elevator delays disrupting crucial meetings.

 

The primary issue, however, is more than location preference. Las Vegas requires Los Angeles-based companies to rent hotel rooms as office space, adding unnecessary expense. IFTA Chairperson Clay Epstein acknowledged the concerns and confirmed that discussions will occur at December's board meeting to see if a middle ground can be found.

 

The Fate of the AFM

 

The AFM’s significance for independent film financing is still crucial, with the market having facilitated thousands of projects over 43 years. However, with year-round deal-making now an industry reality and other established markets like EFM and Cannes' Marché du Film, the AFM's role in the entertainment landscape is evolving. And we all know what happens when sections of the industry fail to keep in step with that changing landscape.

 

There’s already a tricky market balance to be set between the needs of major players versus smaller independents. While top-tier companies focus on package deals, smaller entities rely heavily on screening facilities and “noise” at these festivals and markets. If the indie industry is to thrive, it needs the festival circuit to back it.

 

Overall, it’s a thorny issue in a decade that’s been full of them for indie producers. However, one thing is abundantly clear — Las Vegas was not a hit. What happens next for the AFM? We can only wait and see.

 

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