FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
AFM MOVES TO NOVEMBER BEGINNING 2004
Last Winter AFM In February 2004
New Strategic Relationship With AFI FEST Announced
Los Angeles (June 16, 2003) - AFMA announced today that, effective in November 2004, the American Film Market will move forward by three months in the industry calendar - from February to November. The last winter AFM will be held on February 25 to March 3, 2004. The first fall AFM will be held November 3-10, 2004. The announcement was made by Jean Prewitt, AFMA President and CEO, and Jonathan Wolf, AFMA Executive Vice President and Managing Director of AFM.
"As a global trade association, AFMA's role is to anticipate and serve the long-term needs of the independent film industry," said Jean Prewitt. "The November dates enhance AFMA's ability to create new programs and services during the AFM while showcasing independent film in Hollywood in advance of the awards season."
This move follows a year-long review by AFMA on how best to serve the independent film industry. "Over the past year, we have listened to colleagues and industry stakeholders from around the world. Today's decision reflects the broad consensus of the global film community," said Kathy Morgan, Chairman of AFMA and President of Kathy Morgan International.
Beyond 2004, the AFM will be held Nov. 2-9, 2005 and Nov. 1-8, 2006.
Also announced today by the American Film Institute and AFMA is a new strategic relationship between the AFI Los Angeles International Film Festival (AFI FEST) and AFM. AFI FEST and AFM will join forces in marketing, sponsorship, scheduling, registration and a variety of other initiatives. While each event will continue to be managed separately, the collaboration will result in a unified market and festival. AFI FEST 2004 will be held Nov. 4-14.
"AFM and AFI FEST complement each other perfectly," said Jean Firstenberg, Director and CEO of the American Film Institute. "AFI FEST is an international festival showcasing the finest in world cinema, while the AFM is an international film market well-known for its dynamic business environment. A collaboration between these leading cultural and commercial organizations demonstrates unity to the world film community while creating an exceptional global film event for the people of Los Angeles."
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"We are very excited about our partnership with AFI FEST and the unlimited opportunities to expand both events," said Jonathan Wolf. "It will also create a new marketing platform for producers and distributors at AFM."
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AFMA, formerly known as the American Film Marketing Association, is the trade association representing independent producers and distributors of motion pictures and television programming worldwide. Its 160 member companies from the U.S., Europe and Australasia include Alliance-Atlantis, Artisan, Capitol Films, Carlton International Media, Filmax, Focus Features, Franchise Pictures, FreemantleMedia, Good Times Entertainment, HBO, IAC, Intermedia, Lions Gate, Lola Films, Miramax, Morgan Creek, New Line Cinema, Overseas Filmgroup, Pathe, StudioCanal, Summit, Troma and Wild Bunch.
Founded in 1981, the American Film Market has grown steadily over the last two decades to become the largest motion picture market, generating more than $500 million in film production and distribution deals. During the eight-day event, more than 7,000 industry executives attend from over 70 countries. More than 400 films are screened, the majority of them world or U.S. premieres.
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AFI is the preeminent organization dedicated to advancing and preserving the art of film, television and other forms of the moving image. AFI trains the next generation of filmmakers at its world-renowned Conservatory, provides film preservation leadership and explores new digital technologies in moviemaking. AFI's New Media Ventures programs bring together the creative and digital communities, as the department seeks to develop a literacy program for the 21st century, helping young people learn to read and write screens of all sizes-cinema, television, computer and the Internet. With AFI ON SCREEN, the institute is the largest nonprofit exhibitor in the US, with programs at the AFI Los Angeles International Film Festival (AFI FEST); the AFI National Film Theater at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, DC; and the AFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center in Silver Spring, Maryland. A 49,000 square foot complex with three theatres—one historic, two new state-of-the-art stadium-style theatres—the AFI Silver exhibits film and video generally unavailable elsewhere in the region. AFI's annual almanac for the 21st century, AFI AWARDS, honors the most outstanding motion pictures and television programs of the year. AFI's 100 Years . . . 100 Movies, 100 Stars, 100 Laughs, 100 Thrills, 100 Passions and 100 Heroes & Villains have ignited extraordinary public interest in classic American movies. During the past 31 years, AFI's Life Achievement Award has become the highest honor for a career in film. More information about AFI can be found by visiting its Web site, located at www.AFI.com.
Now in its 17th year, the AFI Los Angeles International Film Festival(AFI FEST) is one of the nation's fastest-growing film events and the premier international film festival in Los Angeles. It is also the longest-running film festival in Los Angeles. Capturing the cultural diversity of the city, AFI FEST provides new and established filmmakers with a crucial avenue of exposure to the film community, while celebrating the accomplishments of filmmakers from around the world. In addition to work from emerging filmmakers, AFI FEST has presented the US or World Premieres of many acclaimed films, including ANTWONE FISHER, ARARAT, CITY OF GOD, SWEET SIXTEEN, NOWHERE IN AFRICA, THE QUIET AMERICAN, NO MAN'S LAND, MONSTER'S BALL, LIFE IS BEAUTIFUL, THE CIDER HOUSE RULES, BEFORE NIGHT FALLS, O BROTHER, WHERE ART THOU? and AMORES PERROS. AFI FEST 2003 will be held November 6 - 16.
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PRESS CONTACTS
AFMA AFI
Greg Ptacek Liza de Ville
Director of Corporate Communications Chief Communications Officer
phone: 310-446-1080 phone: 323-856-7896
fax: 310-4461600 fax: 323-856-9118
email: email:
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