Happy Tuesday, Creative Army!

As many of you know, I recently attended the 45th American Film Market (“AFM”)!

This year was special for many reasons, it was Stage 32’s 10th year as an official education partner of AFM, my 11th year speaking as an expert panelist on the AFM main stage, and the 1st year that this prestigious market was held in Las Vegas, Nevada! Yet it was the overwhelming positivity that I felt from the professionals and attendees around me that stood out most this year. Buyers and sellers alike were encouraged by the raging international production landscape and signs that the domestic market is finally inching back.

What is AFM?

If you’re not already familiar with this annual event-

Every November, the entire global film industry converges for AFM, the premier film acquisition, development, and networking event where more than $1 Billion in distribution and film financing deals are closed each year on completed films and those in every stage of development. More business-oriented than any other motion picture event, thousands of professionals from all corners of our industry come together at AFM to develop, showcase, discover, finance, and license 1000s of independent films and projects destined for the world’s audiences.

What Happens In Vegas Fuels The Film Industry! Highlights from AFM 2024

While at AFM this year, I spoke alongside an amazing lineup of experts about “Crafting Powerful Films with Limited Budgets” (for more details on this panel click HERE). Directly following that main stage panel, I was honored to be interviewed by a journalist with Grey Journal, who was collecting highlights of the important insights being shared by industry leaders at AFM.

Grey Journal is one of the fastest-growing publications in entrepreneurial culture, providing an insider’s view on innovative ideas, emerging trends, and the pioneering spirit that drives entrepreneurs.

The full article is a fantastic read if you’re looking for an overview that will leave you feeling like you attended this substantial market in person!

Here is an excerpt from my interview with Grey Journal!

“This was the 10th year Stage 32 has been the education partner of AFM and the 11th straight year I’ve had the honor of speaking on the AFM stage. Every year brings with it its own vibe. I thought the energy this time around was high and progressive. Given the challenges of the last few years, from COVID to the strikes, the overwhelming feeling was that we’re beginning to shake things off and that the pendulum isn’t just swinging back, it very well might snap back.”

To continue reading this article in its entirety, click HERE!

This wonderful article was written by journalist and proud Stage 32 member, John Dean Alfone! With a BA from Columbia University in the City of New York and an MFA from the City College of New York, John Dean Alfone is a freelance journalist who works in the film/television industry. You can connect with John right here on Stage 32, by clicking HERE.

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