As LA Bids Farewell To AFM, “New Film Market” American Film Convention Hopes To Take Root This Fall

deadline.com:

With the AFM heading to Las Vegas, a group of indie filmmakers are aiming to launch a “new film market and entertainment industry convention” in LA this October.

Organizers say The American Film Convention (AFC) will take place October 15-17, 2024 at Magic Box in Downtown Los Angeles. CEO and founder Mitesh Patel, a grassroots independent filmmaker and producer, says the event will incorporate a “market, auction, conference, product and service showcase, workshop, talks and addresses, pitch fest, networking event, and filmed and live entertainment.” As part of its offering organizers say it is aiming to “fill the gap” left by the departing AFM.

The organizers are ambitious: “The event offers more than 100,000 square feet of exhibition space and has room for 400 exhibitors and participants.

We expect the convention to draw about 5,000 delegates in its first year,” they said. Indie filmmaker Jon Fitzgerald, who co-founded the Slamdance Festival and was Festival Director of AFI and Santa Barbara, will serve as Director of Workshops and Conferences.