How to Work the AFM 2026 – Transcript

00:01Good morning and welcome to how to work the AFM webinar. Uh my name is Robin Bert, I'm the vice president of marketing for the Independent Film & Television Alliance. The American Film Market is returning to Los Angeles from November 10th through 15th at the Fairmont Century Plaza in Century City.

00:19Over the next hour, you'll hear from a terrific and incredibly knowledgeable group of industry professionals presenting different aspects of the market. They'll share their practical advice and insights to help you prepare for AFM and make the most of your time at the market.

00:37And before we begin, we'd like to thank our sponsor, United for Business, and show you a brief video. >> In a world where creativity knows no limits, from the studio to the set, one airline supports your vision, your crew, your journey with unmatched service and exclusive benefits built for the entertainment industry.

00:59Wherever your next production takes you, United for Business is your ultimate co-star. Learn more at united.business/entertainment. >> And welcome back.

01:13Uh in just a few moments, we'll bring on our moderator, who is Clay Epstein, president of um Film Mode Entertainment. Clay will be joined by Suzy Eastman, the film commissioner of the Louisville Film Office, Cameron Woodward, co-founder of Rapbook, Kendall um Alion, president of international sales for The Coven, and Jason Resnick, producer and acquisitions consultant and a former

01:40worldwide acquisitions for Universal Worldwide. We'll leave time for audience questions at the end of the webinar. You can submit your questions at any point by using the Q&A box at the bottom of your screen.

01:54And before we get started, it's my pleasure to turn things over to our president and CEO Jackie Brenneman to say a few words. Jackie, over to you. >> Thanks, Robert, and thanks United. Uh So, hi for those who don't know me, which is probably most of you. I am the as Robert said, the new president and CEO of the Independent Film and Television Alliance, and therefore also the American Film Market. And you know,

02:22it's fun for me to be introducing a how to work the AFM webinar when I myself will be working the AFM for the first time this year. Uh but it's been really wonderful getting to work with all of the leaders in this sector to make sure that we are not only keeping the best parts of AFM and strengthening them, but also working to grow the AFM so that it really becomes an essential annual gathering for

02:48everyone in this sector. So, you know, to that end, AFM is really being built now for everyone who is part of this industry, and that includes everyone working to become part of it. The independent film sector is here for everyone that has a dream in their head or a dream on a DCP. Uh so, whether you're an established producer, a filmmaker, a screenwriter with a project in development, or someone who's still building your career, and for many of

03:16you that's building your career in public, uh online, gathering your audience, uh and developing your own style, there is a place for you at AFM. So, for the the for the market, it's the same as life, right? There are non-negotiables if you want a successful career. So, number one is just curiosity. You have to keep educating yourself about an industry that is constantly

03:43evolving. And number two is relationships. You never know where a conversation will take you. I've had conversations and relationships that ended up only coming to fruition with a crazy text 4 years after a lunch. It really does happen.

04:02And you all you have to do is be yourself, be honest, and be open, and really be curious about and interested in the people you're speaking to. And AFM is an incredible opportunity to combine that education, that curiosity, and that real networking. Uh so with in the market itself, you're going to have the whole of the sector.

04:26Producers, the financiers, sales companies, distribution, buyers, filmmakers, screenwriters, film commissions, tech companies, movie theater owners, and executives from all around the world will all be within the Fairmont in Century City this November.

04:45Um so we also have to we've done a lot of work to make sure that we find opportunities for you to get that education and that networking. So education-wise, we have the AFM sessions. Those are Wednesday through Saturday. We'll have more than 150 industry leaders and experts on two different stages, and they'll be sharing insights across basically

05:11every aspect of the business and the craft. We also have a pitch conference, which we've had for years, but we're expanding to 2 days. One is on feature film, and one is actually on episodic television, which is our first time ever. Uh we also always have screening opportunities.

05:29And so that that'll give that's that's over across the street at the AMC 15, and we're expanding those. We're expanding who can access them and what you can use them for. So we're giving film more filmmakers the opportunity to showcase their work as part of AFM. Uh we also have as as uh, Robin mentioned, the location expo.

05:51That's where you'll be able to meet directly with film commissions, production service companies from around the world to not only learn about where to shoot your movie, but also the incentives, the production resources, and how those locations are working hard to help you bring your projects to life.

06:08We're also having a major innovation hub. And that's in a space across the across the street from the Fairmont. And that's a brand new this year, this new space which we're calling the AFM house. And so, at in that in that AFM house we'll have the innovation hub which has, you know, technology and AI companies.

06:27You'll be able to hear about the tools they're developing and hear conversations about how those innovations are helping or in or impacting the business generally, but on how you can do your job better, faster, cheaper, understand your audience from the beginning, have that information in hand to know who you are and what you do. So, when you do bump into people in the hall, you know exactly how to describe what you're doing. Uh, we're also including in that space a brand new cinemas club with programming focused on

06:54the present and future of theatrical, along with fireside chats hosted by other industry organizations as the filmmaking community gets closer and closer to theatrical, AFM's going to be really the only place around the world that's bringing it together this way.

07:10Um, it's at such a global scale. Uh, but like I said at the beginning, you really it's all about networking. So, some of the most valuable conversations you're going to have are just going to happen. You're going to be sitting next to someone, you'll be sharing a laugh, you'll both be interested in something, and those conversations can lead to something that you didn't expect and didn't plan for.

07:32So, I guess my short wrap it up for my very long introduction is just take advantage of everything that AFM has to offer. Uh, come come here to learn, meet people, ask questions, and put yourself in the middle of the business. That's what AFM is here for, and it's what we're here to help you do. And I'll turn it now over to our to Clay and then our amazing panelists who know far more and who you should be definitely listening and learning from.

07:59>> Thank you, Jackie. Appreciate it. Thank you, United, as well for hosting. It's a pleasure to be here on this side as a moderator. I've been a panelist before. Um I just wanted to give a bit of context. Uh not to go into the history of AFM, but uh my first AFM was in 1999.

08:19So, it was last century, my first AFM. And uh just to let all the filmmakers or the aspiring filmmakers know on this call, I went to film school. Like you, I had a dream. I had a passion.

08:33I went to Cal State Northridge, uh north of Los Angeles, and I studied cinema production, etc. But not until I got a job in Hollywood, and not until I attended AFM in 1999, that I really feel like I had finally entered into the industry.

08:51And I remember it clearly. And there there are many changes that have happened since then, more than just I wore a suit and tie then, and now I don't wear a tie. There are other changes that have happened and evolved over the decades. But um I think a best way to start is if you don't go to AFM, you are not serious about being in the film industry.

09:13That is something to take seriously. Um so, let's dive in with our first two panelists, Cameron and Suzy. We're really happy to have you with us. Um and what's like Jackie mentioned, what's amazing about AFM, it is the only event in the world strictly dedicated to independent film industry. There There festivals that you can uh you know Sundance, Cannes, etc.

09:39There are other hybrids, but AFM is the only event that is strictly dedicated to independent filmmaking, distribution, and marketing. The only one. And it's in Los Angeles, and it's at a beautiful hotel that we're excited to come back to at the Fairmont Century City.

09:58Knowing that, uh it is a full 360. So, not to repeat what Jackie said, but I think it's important to just to reiterate, however, yes, there are sales agents, and there are acquisition executives, and there are companies, uh studios all the way down to one person independent uh companies. There are filmmakers, there are writers, there are DPs and editors. There are incredible production uh

10:23series, the the presentation series, the seminars. I participate in that. I've been doing that for years. It's a lot of fun. You get 300, 400 people in an audience. You have the best experienced executives and filmmakers on stage. And it is one of the very few opportunities for filmmakers or first-time attendees at AFM to have direct access to these executives and these amazing successful filmmakers that have proven it can be