AFM Partnership

AFI FEST also registered record numbers in 2006 with 522 filmmakers from 35 countries, 372 international press representatives and over 65,000 consumer attendees. AFI FEST is projecting further growth this year.

Producers and distributors from around the world have successfully integrated the Festival and Market. A major benefit of the partnership for AFM is the opportunity for a selection of AFM films to be programmed in the Festival, creating additional exposure and marketing platforms. AFI FEST filmmakers are building the Market into their strategies as well. Many have sales representation at AFM, while some are orienting themselves to the market for the first time. Enthusiastic audiences and potent press prospects at AFI FEST combined with the international business environment of AFM offer fertile ground for opportunity.

Of the 91 narrative feature films and 20 feature documentaries that played at AFI FEST 2006, 56 films were represented in both the film festival and the film market. Twelve films sold or announced U.S. distribution deals during the festival with many other announcements in the weeks following the festival as well. In 2006 films securing territories, including US distribution in many cases included: VITUS, GRBAVICA, THE LIVES OF OTHERS, THE HOST, DANIKA, WHITE PALMS, YOUR LIFE IN 65 MINUTES, LIFE AFTER TOMORROW, DRAMA/MEX and SCREAMERS.

The spirit of this association is to build a bridge between cinema's artistic quality and commercial impact that broadens the possibilities for all participants. While the AFM and AFI FEST continue to be individually managed, they have created a number of joint programs that bring value to the vast domestic and international constituencies that attends the events:

• AFM provides Market badges to all AFI FEST filmmakers, allowing them access to the entire Market, including AFM's lineup of conferences and seminars where they can interact with and learn from prominent filmmakers, financiers, industry executives and talent.

• AFM hosts a brunch and workshop for AFI FEST filmmakers to educate them on how to navigate and take advantage of opportunities at the Market.

• AFM offers a press conference center for AFI FEST filmmakers to showcase talent and make announcements regarding their films to the attending international media.

• All AFM exhibiting companies receive a complimentary AFI FEST ProPass, as well as access to exclusive ticket pre-sales. See Exhibitor Benefits & Registration for more information.

• AFI FEST has created a Priority List program to provide the maximum number of benefits at AFI FEST to AFM exhibitors who desire to make the most out of the AFI FEST/AFM partnership. Priority List members receive priority industry badges, reserved Gala tickets, hotel rooms, entry into AFI FEST parties and free luxury transportation. An additional 25 AFM exhibitors joined the Priority List program in 2006.

• Each AFM buying company is eligible for complimentary tickets to any regular festival screening at AFI FEST based on availability. See AFM Buyer Benefits for more information.

• All AFM Exhibitor and Buyer badge holders get unlimited access to the AFI FEST's Cinema Lounge in the AFI FEST Rooftop Village, which serves as the Festival's central hospitality area and meeting place. Starting last year, they will also have the opportunity to screen titles on DVD at the AFI FEST Video Library.

• Complimentary round-trip transportation on the exclusive AFM to AFI FEST shuttle bus running non-stop daily from the AFM headquarters at the Loews Santa Monica Hotel to the ArcLight Theater Complex in Hollywood, home of AFI FEST.