It’s official: the 2024 American Film Market is moving from Los Angeles to Las Vegas.
The Independent Film & Television Alliance and its board of directors announced Friday that the AFM, its industry flagship event, will relocate to Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas for its 45th edition, scheduled for Nov. 5-10, 2024.
The move, which was rumoured during the European Film Market in Berlin last month, marks the event’s first time away from LA since the trade show began in 1981.
“After extensive research, discussions with the Board and invaluable feedback from stakeholders, this move underscores our determination to evolving AFM to meet today’s industry needs,” said Clay Epstein, IFTA Chairperson and President of Film Mode Entertainment. “The strength of the AFM lies in its ability to create community and present a sophisticated platform for all our participants’ activities in one convenient location. The Palms enables us to do all of that and beyond.”
Major production, finance, sales and distribution companies, including Arclight Films, Blue Fox Entertainment, Blacktop International, Cinema Management Group, Cornerstone, The Exchange, Film Mode Entertainment, FilmNation Entertainment, Film Seekers, HanWay Films, A Higher Standard, Lakeshore Entertainment, Millennium Media, Myriad Pictures, NEON, Protagonist Pictures, The Asylum, The Solution Entertainment Group, Vision Films, WME Independent and XYZ Films, have already committed to participating in AFM24 in the new locale.
Jean Prewitt, IFTA President and CEO, said in a statement, “AFM was created by the Independents and remains the Independents’ market.The industry has called for a fresh look at how the market can better serve a rapidly changing business.The Board has made a monumental decision that allows us to better serve these needs. We look forward to introducing everyone to the new AFM venue and its offerings.”
In 2023, the event switched from its longtime home at the Loews Hotel in Santa Monica —where it had been held since 1991 — to the Le Meridian Delfina, a location that disappointed many attendees due to issues with the layout and lifts.
Palms Casino Resort boastsnewly renovated rooms and suites for exhibitor office space and guest rooms, the Brenden Theatres’ 14 screen multiplex and more than 170,000 square feet of dedicated conference, meeting and event space.
A press release from IFTA cites Las Vegas’ easy travel options, including domestic and international flights from over 160 locations, and hails the city’s extensive dining, sleeping, entertaining and shopping opportunities.
