Conferences
AFM Conferences give attendees knowledge, insight, access, value and a rare opportunity to hear from the industry’s global thought leaders, decision makers and experts who all converge annually at the AFM.
Finance Conference I: The Big Picture
Friday, November 3 | 9:15am – 12:45pm | Starlight Ballroom, Fairmont Hotel
The Future of Global Film Finance
Leading CEOs, filmmakers, financiers and studio executives explore the future of independent film financing, emerging trends and the impact of new platforms on global film finance.
Moderator
Joe Chianese, EVP, EP Financial Solutions
Panelists
Tom Ara, Shareholder, Greenberg Traurig, LLP
Spotlight Sessions
One-on-one discussions with industry visionaries.
Pitch Conference sponsored by Creative Industries Hawaii
Saturday, November 4 | 9:15am – 12:45pm | Starlight Ballroom, Fairmont Hotel
Pitching Essentials
A good pitch can get a bad film made while a bad pitch can leave a terrific project languishing on the shelf. Pitching is part art (it’s creative), part science (it needs to follow a tight script) and part sales (you have to wow them). Conference attendees will learn the essential rules and tools of pitching from the experts.
The 2-Minute Pitches
Volunteers selected in advance will pitch to our expert panel. They will give unvarnished feedback on each pitch – explaining what worked, what didn’t – and why.
Presenter/Moderator
Pilar Alessandra, Instructor/Consultant, On The Page
Panelists
Tobin Armbrust, President, Worldwide Production & Acquisitions, Virgin Produced
Cassian Elwes, Independent Producer/Agent
Finance Conference II: Funding Films Today
Sunday, November 5 | 9:15am – 12:45pm | Starlight Ballroom, Fairmont Hotel
Producing Studio Films with Independent Budgets
Production quality and talent are more crucial than ever. Producers need to be strategic with their budgets – talent, locations, special effects, crew, everything! Seasoned producers and experts share their advice on how to stretch budgets and get every dollar, euro, pound, yen or franc “on the screen.”
Moderator
Richard Botto, Founder & CEO, Stage 32
The Film Finance Matrix: From Script to Screen
Our panel of experts will be presented with five film packages – each with partial or limited funding. They will explore and disclose how each film could be fully financed. Five case studies; five solutions.
Moderator
Joe Chianese, EVP, EP Financial Solutions
Panelists
Stefan Lütje, Partner/Shareholder, Greenberg Traurig, LLP
Production Conference sponsored by IndieCo
Monday, November 6 | 9:15am – 12:45pm | Starlight Ballroom, Fairmont Hotel
Producing for the Pre-Sales Marketplace
Pre-Selling to territorial Buyers is key to financing most independent films. What are they looking for? Which genres and talent? How do you set a budget that will reflect the marketplace? Discover which projects are most likely to sell globally before they are made.
Moderator
Paul Hertzberg, President & CEO, CineTel Films, Inc.
Panelists
Paul Bales, Partner, The Asylum
Mark Damon, CEO & Chairman, Foresight Unlimited
Alison Thompson, Co-President, Cornerstone Films
What They Want: Inside the Major Studios
The major studios are always in search of the next great script. But what do they really want and need? Producers who are working with the majors today share their experiences and discuss the key elements that the studios look for in scripts and pitches.
Distribution Conference sponsored by MPS Labo
Tuesday, November 7 | 9:15am – 12:45pm | Starlight Ballroom, Fairmont Hotel
Working with Sales Agents
To reach the global audience, an independent producer’s best ally is their international Sales Agent. Our panel of experts will discuss how to find and work with the right Sales Agent.
Moderator
Clay Epstein, President, Film Mode Entertainment
Panelists
Martin Katz, Founder and President, Prospero Pictures
Dana Lustig, Principal, Dana Lustig Productions
Lisa Wilson, Partner, The Solution Entertainment Group
The Future of Video On Demand
VOD is now the largest source of revenue for many films. Are we heading towards a future where all films will be available worldwide and where every film will be discoverable by its audience? Producers, distributors and platforms will disclose who is making money, how they are doing it, and what the future holds – separating fact from fiction.
Moderator
Bruce Eisen, President, Digital Advisors
Panelists
Andy Bohn, Co-Founder & Partner, The Film Arcade
Paul Davidson, EVP, Film & TV, The Orchard
Thomas Hughes, EVP, Worldwide Digital Distribution, Lionsgate
Tania Jones, VP of Marketing & Customer Service, Shift72
Hanny Patel, VP, Video Marketing, AT&T Entertainment Group
Roundtables
AFM Roundtables are open-ended discussions that explore specialized topics and timely issues in an intimate setting.
The Changing Hong Kong Movie Scene: What is New, How and Why?
Thursday, November 2 | 3:00pm – 4:30pm | AFM Studio, Loews Hotel
Hong Kong films have been well recognized in the international film industry over the years and now exciting young talent are on the rise. Hong Kong’s young directors and producers are winning international awards with their debut productions which are known for their distinct local flavour and relatively low budgets. They are regarded as a fresh “Hong Kong New Wave Cinema”, one comparable to the generation in the 1970s. Two iconic directors will explore what is happening now in the Hong Kong movie scene.
Moderator
Patrick Frater, Asia Bureau Chief, Variety
Panelists
Steve Chan Chi-Fat, Director, Weeds on Fire
Felix Tsang, Sales and Acquisitions Manager, Golden Scene Company Limited
Vicky Wong, Director, Trivisa
Building A Future For LGBTQ Film
Saturday, November 4 | 5:00pm – 6:30pm | AFM Studio, Loews Hotel
A discussion of the independent film landscape, using case studies of specific financing models, in order to identify a sustainable way forward for LGBTQ representation in cinema.
Presented in partnership with Outfest.
Moderator
Lucy Mukerjee-Brown, Director of Programming, Outfest & Newfest
Panelists
Kiska Higgs, Head of Acquisitions and Co-Productions, Focus Features
Christine D’Souza Gelb, Agent, WME
Ian Bricke, Director, Content Acquisition, Netflix
The Passion of the Film: Reaching the Faith Community
Sunday, November 5 | 10:00am – 12:00pm | AFM Studio, Loews Hotel
Producers and distributors are serving the faithful and finding their audience in the increasingly digital world. Filmmakers and marketers reveal the essential elements of story, ministry and outreach that will optimize exposure to reach and serve their audience.
10:00am – 10:30am Networking and refreshments
10:30am – 12:00pm Roundtable
Moderator
Barbara Mudge, President & Founder, Worldwide Film Entertainment
Panelists
DeVon Franklin, Producer & CEO, Franklin Entertainment
Kevin Downes, Producer & President, Kevin Downes Production & South West Film Group
David Austin, EVP, Bridgestone Multimedia
Rick Bonn, Head of Development & Acquisitions, Pure Flix Entertainment
The Future is Female
Sunday, November 5 | 5:00pm – 6:30pm | AFM Studio, Loews Hotel
It is no surprise that Wonder Women is the highest grossing action movie in 15 years. Women make up over half of the world’s population, and are a driving force in theatrical box office as well as television, cable and digital viewing. This Roundtable will highlight how female driven stories can expand your audience and profitability. Our panel will explore the benefits of developing strong female leads and hiring women directors, producers and writers for your next mega-hit.
Presented in partnership with the Alliance of Women Directors.
Moderator
Wendy Calhoun, Writer/Producer, EMPIRE, NASHVILLE, JUSTIFIED
Distributing & Monetizing Feature Documentaries
Monday, November 6 | 5:00pm – 6:30pm | AFM Studio, Loews Hotel
The Documentary marketplace is quickly transforming. New platforms and alliances – creative, geographic and financial – are providing opportunities for stories that can support a long-form treatment. This session will examine the diverse sources of revenue and reveal which co-production models can achieve success.
Presented in partnership with IDA.
Moderator
Kevin Iwashina, Founder & CEO, Preferred Content
Working with the U.S. Guilds
Tuesday, November 7 | 3:00pm – 4:30pm | AFM Studio, Loews Hotel
SAGindie, DGA and WGAW representatives explain how to secure talent agreements for actors, directors and writers and make your project signatory to the guilds’ agreements.
With
Darrien Michele Gipson, National Director, SAGindie
Cynthia Tollett, Assistant Executive Director, Directors Guild of America
Kay S. Wolf, Senior Representative/Member Organizing Department, Writers Guild of America West
Special Events
AFM Special Events are unique opportunities to connect and learn.
NIFS Finance Summit
Sponsored by PWC Nigeria and Silverbird Distribution
Friday, November 3 | 2:00pm – 5:00pm | AFM Gallery, Loews Hotel
Keynote Address
Nigeria’s Commitment Towards An Enabling Environment For Investment Into The Nigerian Film Business Ecosystem.
Alhaji Lai Mohammed, Minister of Information and Culture, Nigeria
Keynote Address
The Opportunities, Possibilities and Challenges of the Film Business in Nigeria: The Past, the Present and the Future.
Senator Ben Murray Bruce, Chairman, Senate Committee on Privatization; Vice Chairman, Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs; Founder, Silverbird Group
Engage: Navigating Hollywood’s Shifting Landscape
Friday, November 3 | 2:30pm – 5:45pm | Starlight Ballroom, Fairmont Hotel
Engage is the Pepperdine Alumni Affairs and Pepperdine’s Institute for Entertainment, Media, and Culture (iEMC) signature diversity and inclusion event where creative entrepreneurs will have the opportunity to learn from high profile industry professionals.
This half-day event features provocative panel discussions and invaluable insider information about the film, television, and new media landscape from a diverse group of notable creative producers and executives in the entertainment industry.
Panelists
Edward Allen, COO, Pantilleon
James Lopez, Producer, Head of Motion Pictures, Will Packer Productions
Keith Clinkscales, Founder and CEO, The Shadow League
Effie Brown, Film and Television Producer, Project Greenlight
Haylen Van Koppen, Chief, Human Resources, Legendary Entertainment
Shoot the Book! LA: French Publishers Present Original Literary Works with Film Adaptation Potential
Friday, November 3 | 3:00pm – 4:30pm | AFM Studio, Loews Hotel
Five French publishing houses – Au Diable Vauvert, Dupuis, Gallimard, Glenat and Plon – will pitch titles selected by a jury of professionals composed of Jacqueline Lyanga, AFI Fest’s Director, Dana Spector, Literary Agent from Paradigm, Andrea McCall, from Amblin Partners, Bob Bookman, manager of Bob Bookman Management, and Mike Medavoy, from Phoenix Pictures. The roundtable will be followed by a reception, where audiovisual rights licensors and producers can discuss the day’s events and future contacts. This event is organized by the French Cultural Services in Los Angeles and supported by the Institut Français.
Moderator
Steven Gaydos, Vice President & Executive Editor, Variety
Panelists
Etienne Bonnin, Film & TV Rights, Glénat
Marie-Pacifique Zeltner, Rights Manager, Au Diable Vuvert
Frédérique Massart, Film and Theatre Rights Director, Gallimard
Laurent Duvault, Director of Audiovisual Development, Mediatoon
Nathalie Carpentier, Audiovisual Rights Manager, CAL France
NIFS Distribution Summit
Sponsored by FilmHouse Cinemas and Filmone Distribution
Saturday, November 4 | 2:00pm – 5:00pm | AFM Gallery, Loews Hotel
Box Office in Nigeria: A Case Study
Kene Mparu, Managing Director, Film House Cinema
Bridging the gap for International Distribution of Nollywood Films
Nollywood Versus Hollywood in Nigeria
NIFS Production Summit and Talent Spotlight
Sponsored by ASCEND Talent Agency and Jambo Play
Sunday, November 5 | 2:00pm – 5:00pm | AFM Gallery, Loews Hotel
Production Summit
Broad discussions covering new dimensions in production; the importance of casting; international production/co-production as the next frontiers for Nigeria producers; budgets, timelines and the benefits of the quick turn-around; and Nigeria as a viable production location.
Ascend Talent Spotlight
Romania Welcomes Hollywood
Monday, November 6 | 11:30am – 1:00pm | AFM Studio, Loews Hotel
30%-35% savings over Prague, 50% savings or more over London, up to 80% savings over U.S. prices, landscape galore, experienced crews by US standards and great actors, internationally acclaimed local producers now ready for co-productions with the U.S., and an EU mandatory quota of local content for both broadcast and streaming – are these strong enough arguments to think “Romania” for your next project?
We’ll have an open conversation about all aspects of shooting and/or co-producing in Romania. Brought to you by Double 4 Studios and Romanian Filmmakers Association (UCIN). Reception to follow under the auspices of The Consulate General of Romania in Los Angeles.
Moderator
Andrei Zinca, Director/Producer; Owner, Double 4 Studios US
Panelists
Robert Bernacchi, Producer/VP of Production, Skydance Media US
Andrei Boncea, Producer/Co-Owner, Frame Film Romania & Former VP of Content, CME
Mihai Fulger, Member of the Board, Romanian National Film Centre & Director, National Film Archives
Bogdan Moncea, Producer, Castel Film Studios Romania
Ada Solomon, Producer/Owner, Hi Film Productions Romania
Only in Louisiana
Monday, November 6 | 2:00pm – 6:00pm | AFM Gallery, Loews Hotel
For over 15 years, Louisiana has set the standard for motion picture production incentives throughout the world. With a competitive film production incentive; tax credits for full time, permanent jobs; and funds for investment in education and workforce development – the Louisiana Advantage is clear. Recent enhancements to the tax credit program in Louisiana is guaranteed to set the bar even higher. Join officials from the state of Louisiana, regional representatives, trade organizations, and Louisiana businesses as they discuss recent changes to Louisiana’s incentive program.
How to Get the Best Music For Your Project and Save Time & Money
Monday, November 6 | 3:00pm – 4:15pm | AFM Studio, Loews Hotel
Original film score or licensed music? From hiring a Composer or Music Supervisor to clearing your music and music-related residuals… we will answer real world questions and explain how to stick to your critically important post-production budget.
Presented in partnership with Film Musicians Secondary Markets Fund.
Moderator
Dennis Dreith, Perseverance Records Recording Artist; Owner, Magic Closet Music
Panelists
Kim Roberts Hedgpeth, Executive Director, Film Musicians Secondary Markets Fund
Stefanie Taub, National Director, Music, SAG-AFTRA
Paul Broucek, President, Warner Brothers Music
Reggie Wilson, Owner/President, Guardian Music Services
Carousel Cocktail