US Film Market Plans New Global Screen Economy Summit This Year

The Independent Market, now set to take place in November in the city of Qarn, will bring together industry players to discuss the business improved by integration, artificial intelligence and the creator economy.

The American Film Market is planning to open the World Screen Economy Summit.

The half-day forum on Nov. 10 will include a keynote address by Jackie Brenneman, new president and CEO of the Independent Film and Television Alliance, which produces the AFM event, and another keynote address by industry analyst Evan Shapiro to discuss a rapidly changing business enhanced by integration, artificial intelligence and the economy.

In total, the leading independent film market has an extensive conference schedule of more than 45 sessions, including informal conversations with Amy Bauer, head of film and television at Artists Equity, and Stuart Ford, president and CEO of AGC Studios.

Following the rebirth of AFM last year in Century City, IFTA revealed that its November market will once again focus on how content is financed, produced and consumed by consumers on the big and small screens.

The 47th edition, to be held Nov. 10-15, plans a panel on a proposed federal production incentive to help keep Hollywood film production in the United States, and another session titled The New Studio System with executives from Angel Studios, Popular Demand Studios and Wesley Wang Media.

AFM, which will be held at the Fairmont Century Plaza in Los Angeles, also plans a panel on new film financing strategies and another on the New Math of Independent Film, featuring speakers from Cold Iron Pictures, Wrapbook, Ashland Hill Media Finance and Legion M.

"From how we discover stories and what gets made, to how content reaches audiences and the new excitement around the theater experience, nearly every part of our business is being reimagined," Brenman, IFTA president and CEO, said in a statement about AFM 2026, which focuses on emerging technologies and changing audience trends. We are expanding AFM and innovative perspectives in the industry to create a new voice in the industry. This complements the extraordinary business and trading activities at the heart of the market while creating more opportunities to connect, exchange ideas and discover new opportunities.

This year's AFM is also tailoring its panels and keynotes to the industry that deals with screens of all sizes. There's a panel on "The New IP Value Chain," as storytellers find new platforms to reach audiences, another on the new rules of audience discovery and building, and another on the growing horror market for the multiplex, with speakers representing Project X, Cineverse, and Spooky Pictures.

Elsewhere, AFM House will hold sessions on the new global screen economy, alternative content for cinemas, including anime, concerts and religious programs, and another on artificial intelligence.

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