American Film Market launching filmmaking conference series for 2011 event

The American Film Market (AFM) today announced that it will launch a five-day conference program at the 2011 Market set for November 2-9 in Santa Monica. The inaugural AFM Conference Series will cover five topics spanning from treatment to screen. The AFM’s 8,000 attendees will have the rare opportunity to hear from the industry’s global thought leaders, decision makers and experts who all converge annually at the AFM.

The AFM Conference Series, scheduled for 9 a.m.-1 p.m. daily from Friday, Nov. 4 – Tuesday, Nov. 8, will be comprised of the Finance Conference, Production Conference, Marketing Conference, Distribution Conference and Pitch Conference. The AFM Conference Series offers knowledge, insight and direct access to global luminaries whom they otherwise would not find all in one place. Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP will serve as the presenting sponsor of the AFM Conference Series.

In addition, AFM will introduce an Industry Conversations program comprised of 14 intimate, interactive and informative discussions led by visionaries, trendsetters and experts, which will be offered free to market attendees at 2:30 p.m. – 4 p.m. daily from Nov. 2-8.

The 2011 AFM Conference Series will consist of:

• Friday, Nov. 4 – Finance Conference
  Leading CEOs, filmmakers, financiers and studio executives converge to explore the current state of independent film financing: emerging trends, where the money is, new opportunities and incentives, and what the future holds.
• Saturday, Nov. 5 – Pitch Conference
  A good pitch can get a bad film made and a bad pitch can leave a terrific project languishing on the shelf. Pitching is part art (it’s creative), part science (needs to follow a tight script) and part salesmanship. Conference attendees will first learn the essential rules and tools of pitching from the experts. Then, in the AFM’s own variation of The Voice and American Idol, volunteers from the audience (you?) will pitch a panel of Hollywood decision makers who will give unvarnished feedback on each pitch – saying what worked, what didn’t and why. Warning: This session is not for the weak.
• Sunday, Nov. 6 – Marketing Conference
  In the age of digital media, word-of-mouth and friend recommendations can make or break the box office results. Connecting with and engaging the audience in authentic, creative ways is critical. The gurus behind the most successful and innovative marketing campaigns discuss reinventing the marketing wheel, explore how the consumer can be the most effective marketing tool and reveal how to win over the broadest possible audience.
• Monday, Nov. 7 – Production Conference
  Brand integration and packaging often play an important role in the filmmaking process. From big-budget blockbusters to art and genre films, the creative visions of directors, writers and producers are being supported, yet challenged, by these new business models and opportunities. Agents, advertisers and producers disclose what is going on behind the scenes and how to seamlessly incorporate these new decision makers into the production process.
• Tuesday, Nov. 8 – Distribution Conference
  Why make a film if no one will see it? Industry leaders disclose their successful strategies for managing and monetizing the proliferation of global platforms and changing release strategies. They will also separate fact and fiction about limited & specialized releases, film festivals and straight-to-VOD.

The 2011 AFM Conference Series will be held Nov. 4-8 at the Fairmont Miramar Hotel. For additional information, visit www.AmericanFilmMarket.com/conferences.