Record Number of Exhibitors, Countries Set to Participate in American Film Market

A record 410 exhibitors will take part in the 2005 American Film Market (AFM) scheduled for Nov. 2 to 9 in Santa Monica, making it the largest market in the event's history. Exhibitors will come from 33 countries, which is also a market record.

The announcement was made by Jonathan Wolf, executive vice president of the Independent Film & Television Alliance (IFTA) and managing director of the American Film Market.

The 410 exhibitors represent a 15 percent increase from the 356 companies that exhibited at the November 2004 AFM. The increase is across-the-board, with 24 countries expanding their presence at the AFM. In addition, new countries attending the AFM this year include Russia, Vietnam, Taiwan, Egypt and Greece.

"Records are great, but what's truly exciting is the breadth of the increase," said Wolf. "With first-time exhibitors coming from 24 countries, it's clear that the global independent film industry is healthy and growing."

Among the U.S. countries exhibiting at the AFM are New Line Cinema, Lions Gate Films, the Weinstein Company and CineTel Films, Inc.

The American Film Market (AFM) is the world's largest motion picture trade event. The AFM is a global marketplace where more than $500 million in motion picture and television production and distribution deals are closed annually. Each year, more than 7,000 industry professionals from more than 70 countries converge in Santa Monica for eight days of deal making, screenings, seminars, networking and hospitality.