Tanya McQueen PICKER SISTERS Gene Simmons GENE SIMMONS FAMILYJEWELSTM Rick Harrison PAWN STARS® ENTE LIFE IS © 2011 A&E Television Networks, LLC. All rights reserved. 1004. MOVIES CRIME LIFESTYLE ENTERTAINMENT BIOGRAPHY V I D E O • A G E DE C E M B E R 2 0 1 1 16 From Italy, RAI registered without a suite. Bruce Rabinowitz from its New York City sales office was present, while theatrical acquisitions were made by two RAI executives from Rome. In the television sphere, a few of the usual Italian agents that RAI utilizes attended. Mediaset sent only one of its buyers for television, while Mediaset’s Medusa Films handled theatrical buying and selling as one of the three Italian exhibitors at the AFM. In the view of Rome-based Film Export’s Roberto Di Girolamo, the emergence of Roma Cinema Fest — which has a small market and is held a few days prior to the AFM — has little to do with Italians not going to Santa Monica. “The problem is,” said Di Girolamo, “that Italy no longer produces movies for the international market.” At the AFM, Film Export not only rented a suite, but also filled the trades with ads for its Dario Argento 3D movie Dracula. It also booked several screening rooms at nearby theaters; something extremely rare for Italian entertainment companies, which are not known for their marketing savvy. The fact that the indie film business is becoming more robust (giving the AFM a much-needed insulin injection) is indicated by the flow of money that is returning to the sector with private-equity firms once again active, and approximately seven companies among the most aggressive at the AFM. Banks are also returning to AFM, with some renting suites. The improving business aspect for indie film companies was highlighted at the AFM with a two-part Finance Conference on day three of the eightday market, at the Fairmont Hotel. The conference was sold out, with more than 700 attendees — including CEOs, filmmakers, financiers and studio executives — exploring the current state of independent film financing and looking to pinpoint where the money is. In addition to the aforementioned finance conference, there were pitch seminars, and conferences for production, marketing, agents, packaging, distribution and new platforms, with a total of nine conferences held in a five-day period at the Fairmont Hotel. Plus, there were six “Industry Conversations” with actors, directors, producers and writers held at the Loews. In the view of one exhibitor, with all those seminars and an associated film festival (the AFI Fest held Nov. 3-10 in Los Angeles), the AFM managed to keep people away from the corridors and suites with so many “distractions” from the business of buying and selling. Another factor aiding the indie film business is that the U.S. studios have pulled out of international film acquisition in favor of larger projects, leaving the $50 million business to the independents. On the other hand, big movies tend to lose value on cable, since its window is so far down the road, giving a boost to the lesser-exploited indie features. And this is without counting the increased sales due to new players such as “Incos” (Internet companies like Netflix and Google). Finally, A-list actors, such as George Clooney, are now betting on indie films for more credibility and international acclaim. And some of Hollywood’s biggest stars, like Rob Reiner, are actually participating in the market. Reiner delivered a presentation for the “Industry Conversations” series. A F M ( C o n t i n u e d ) “Production, Financing and Distribution of Independent Film” seminar at the Fairmont Hotel. (Photo by Alexandra Wyman/Getty Images for AFM The Fremantle Corporation’s Irv Holender Jean Prewitt, president of IFTA, the AFM organizer; director Rob Reiner and AFM’s Managing Director Jonathan Wolf at the “Industry Conversation” held at the Loews. (Photo by Alexandra Wyman/Getty Images for AFM) (Continued from Page 14) The AFM in Facts & Figures The American Film Market wrapped up its 2011 edition, seeing an eight percent increase in buying companies from 664 in 2010 to 718 this year. The number of acquisitions executives was also on the rise, climbing seven percent to 1,523 from 1,417. Overall attendance grew by four percent to 7,988 versus 7,695 in 2010. Countries that sent more individuals from buying companies to the AFM this year included China (+61 percent, 37 vs. 23), Germany (+38 percent, 109 vs. 79), the U.K. (+16 percent, 73 vs. 63), South Korea (+15 percent, 116 vs. 101) and Japan (+11 percent, 128 vs. 115). Regionally, the number of buying companies from the Middle East increased by 35 percent, from 31 to 42; while Asia grew 17 percent, from 348 to 407. China registered the most growth for buying companies (+50 percent, 21 vs. 14) then Germany (+39 percent, 46 vs. 33) and France (+18 percent, 40 vs. 34). The U.S. increased eight percent from 127 to 137. There was a four percent increase in exhibiting companies as well (356 vs. 343).
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