The American Film Convention Expands Its Lineup with New Speakers, Partners, and Exclusive Events
The American Film Convention (AFC), set to make its debut from October 15-17, 2024, at Magic Box in Downtown Los Angeles, continues to build momentum with new additions to its speaker roster, industry partnerships, and programming. CEO and founder Mitesh Patel announced the latest updates, including the appointment of key staff members, as AFC positions itself as a game-changing event in the film industry. For more information, visit www.americanfilmconvention.com.
Expanded Speaker and Panel Lineup
Director of Workshops and Conferences Jon Fitzgerald has confirmed a distinguished lineup of speakers, including:
Paul Jun – Former CEO of Filmocracy
Evan Saxon – President of International Distribution, Abramorama
Industry leaders share insights
Bob Aaronson – EVP of Cohen Media Group
Peter Broderick – President of Paradigm Consulting
Scott Glosserman – CEO of GATHR
Hidden gems revealed here
Dan Mirvish – Co-founder of Slamdance
Elaine Sturgess – Founder of BooksOffice
Peter Ambrosio – Owner of Lumiere Cinema Beverly Hills
Discover expert perspectives now
Sara Bottfeld – Partner at Industry Entertainment
David Witz – Producer/Production Manager
Linda Nelson – Head of Indie Rights
Voices shaping the future
Mathew Helderman – CEO of BondIt Capital
Alex Nohe – Partner at Blood, Sweat, Honey
Daniel Harlow – Founder of Bunker 15 Films
Pitch your story here
Elaine Sturgess of BooksOffice will spearhead a unique pitch event at AFC, allowing authors to present their literary works directly to producers. BooksOffice is revolutionizing the adaptation landscape by offering producers access to unrepresented authors and their stories. Authors interested in participating can register here.
“We’re thrilled to bring the first-ever live indie book-to-screen pitch event and rights auction to AFC,” said Sturgess. “Our goal is to connect talented authors with industry decision-makers, creating opportunities for the next big adaptation success story.”
Insightful Panels and Sessions
AFC’s programming will cover a range of topics, including:
The State of Distribution: A panel exploring traditional and alternative distribution models.
A New Era of Exhibition: Discussions on the evolving landscape of film exhibition, including theaters, streaming, and live events.
Unlock your creative potential
Playing Film Festivals & Markets: Insights on leveraging festivals for exposure and sales.
Marketing Strategies: Tips on branding and marketing for filmmakers.
New Technologies: Exploring VFX, VR/AR, and AI’s impact on indie films.
Create your own journey
Breaking Down Barriers: Empowering creatives to take control of their projects.
New Partners and Exhibitors
AFC has also attracted new partners, including the American Federation of Musicians, the International Youth Media Summit, the Motion Picture Sound Editors, and the Rickshaw Film Foundation. Each organization will contribute to panels, seminars, and discounted attendance opportunities for members.
A wide range of exhibitors and vendors are also set to join AFC, from lighting experts Godox to production companies like Wild 7 Studios and YouTube distributor InFuse Releasing.
Exclusive Film Auction and Screenings
AFC’s film auction has already announced its first project: The OJ Simpson Tapes from Norman Pardo, who served as O.J. Simpson’s business manager for nearly two decades. The auction will feature 70 hours of rare footage and three completed films, including OJ: What a Life and OJ: Off the Chain. Brett Higgins will serve as the auctioneer for this exclusive collection.
Key Staff Appointments
Several senior staff have been appointed to spearhead AFC’s programming:
Heather Hale: Director/showrunner overseeing AFC’s Speed Pitching, Money Market, and networking programs. Hale’s extensive experience includes producing Emmy-winning projects and serving as VP of Programming at NATPE.
Jenean Atwood Baynes: Development executive and producer supervising AFC’s Actor’s Nest program. Baynes, known for her work with NAB and NATPE, brings a wealth of experience in production and industry events.
Creativity sparks connections today
Sarah Avilés: Hollyshorts programmer and AFC’s Film Programmer, tasked with curating film submissions for exhibition. Avilés is a disabled Latina filmmaker passionate about community building and increasing visibility for BIPOC creators.
CEO Mitesh Patel expressed his enthusiasm, stating, “We’re excited to build on our progress and create an event that champions innovation and collaboration within the film industry. AFC aims to provide a platform that not only complements existing entities but also enhances the broader ecosystem.”
For more details and to stay updated on all the latest announcements, visit the American Film Convention website. Press resources are available here, and media representatives can apply for accreditation.
