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27th AFM Draws Record Films and Exhibitors

The 27th American Film Market (AFM) opened Nov. 1, 2006, in Santa Monica, California, with a record number of exhibitors, buyers, screenings and market premieres at the world's largest motion picture trade event. The AFM has taken additional office space outside of the Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel at Le Merigot in order to satisfy the overwhelming exhibitor response.

A record 435 companies signed up to exhibit, including film and television companies, financial institutions, sponsoring organizations and trade media. Total attendance is projected to be more than 8,400 from 65 countries.

In addition, a record 592 films, up from 534 films in 2005, are slated for screening, including 431 market premieres, roughly 50 more than last year. Both numbers are all-time highs for the market.

AFM is continuing its strategic relationship with AFI FEST. A new high of 54 films are represented at both the market and as Official Selections at the Festival.

Other exhibitors with animated offerings include Classic Media, Icon Entertainment Int'l, Land Marvel Animation Studios, PorchLight Ent. MarVisata Ent., Nordisk Film, Starz Media, Toei Co., TBS (Tokyo Broadcasting System) and The Weinstein Co.

Michael Ryan, chairman of the Independent Film & Television Alliance (I.F.T.A.), commented, Our business is undergoing exciting changes in production, distribution and technology. The AFM provides the perfect venue for our members to swiftly capitalize on the opportunities that change creates.

The full list of films being screened along with production, cast information and synopses appears on the AFM website www.americanfilmmarket.com and AFMs newly launched CATALOGUE OF FILMS, www.afmfilms.org.

While the AFM screenings are limited to acquisition and distribution execs, AFM will offer The AFM Premiere Screenings of more than 309 independent films most are world or U.S. premieres to industry professionals and Santa Monica residents at no charge. Free registration is available on the AFM website.

Unlike a film festival, the AFM is a marketplace where production and distribution deals are closed. In just eight days, more than $800 million in deals will be sealed on both completed films and those in pre-production.

The AFM offers more than 900 screenings of approximately 600 films 31 new films every two hours the majority of them world or U.S. premieres. Titles range from big budget blockbusters that will be released by the major studios in the U.S., to lower budget genre films and art films recognized at international film festivals, all destined for theaters and television around the world.

The AFM is produced by the Independent Film & Television Alliance (formerly AFMA), the trade association representing the world's producers and distributors of independent motion pictures and television programs.