American Film Market (AFM)

Be clear about what AFM is: a market where independent films are licensed, financed and sold, territory by territory. The core transactions are between sales companies and distributors, and it is produced by the Independent Film & Television Alliance. The market is based at the Fairmont Century Plaza, with premiere screenings and promo reels at the AMC Century City 15.

Around it sit The AFM Sessions conference programme, LocationEXPO for film commissions and production services, and an innovation hub. None of this is aimed at cinema operations.

For most cinemas, the films at AFM will reach you through a local distributor, and there is no reason to attend. It becomes relevant if you buy rights directly — an exhibitor that also distributes, a cinema group acquiring titles for its own territory, or a programmer sourcing event and repertory content. Buyers apply for buyer accreditation, which gives access to the market screenings; attendees without buying authority take a paid attendee badge instead.