The American Film Market has found a new audience: the people who show up. The AFM is teaming up with AMC’s A-List and B-List Movie Club to let frequent moviegoers see screenings and sales presentations directly at the AMC Century City 15, which sits across from the AFM’s headquarters at the Fairmont Century Plaza.
This year, sales and production companies get to premiere films, showcase upcoming projects and hold screening events at that location. The AFM is also working with AMC’s A-List and the fan-driven B-List Movie Club to give select films a chance to reach the people who actually care. Working directly with filmmakers and companies, the B-List Movie Club’s 5,000 L.A. members will be able to access screenings and presentations from companies looking for audience feedback.
It is a clever move. The AFM is not just selling to buyers — it is also selling to the people who will eventually decide which films get a second weekend.
Jackie Brenneman on a Strong AFM
Jackie Brenneman, president and CEO of the Independent Film and Television Alliance, said in a statement that the market is strong this year.
“We’re seeing tremendous participation from across the global industry, and all signs point to a very strong AFM this November,” she said.
Brenneman framed the AMC collaboration as a chance for films to connect with the people who will actually watch them.
“AMC A-List has become a powerful model for theatrical audience engagement, and our collaboration creates a unique opportunity for participating films to connect with frequent moviegoers and gain valuable audience response as they’re introduced to the global marketplace,” she said.
She also pointed to the expanded screening options the AFM is introducing.
“Together with our expanded screening options, it’s another way we’re creating greater value for the companies and filmmakers who come to AFM,” she said.
AMC’s Carrie Trotter on Connecting Fans
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Carrie Trotter, senior vice president of marketing at AMC Theatres, made the case for why the partnership makes sense for AMC’s biggest fans.
“AMC A-List members are among the most passionate moviegoers in the industry, and we’re always looking for new ways to connect them with unique theatrical experiences,” she said.
She said the collaboration with the AFM gives movie fans access to special screenings, upcoming films and content that is not typically available to general audiences.
“We’re excited to collaborate with AFM and engage communities like The B-List Movie Club to give movie fans access to special screenings, discover upcoming films, and experience content that isn’t typically available to general audiences,” she said.
The B-List Movie Club’s Brett Gaffney and Jenna Webster
The B-List Movie Club, founded by Brett Gaffney, is a fan-driven group.
Gaffney and vice president Jenna Webster said they are “honored and excited” to partner with the AFM.
“Moviegoing is and should always be community oriented, and The B-List Movie Club members are some of the most passionate movie fans around,” they said.
They said the partnership will help filmmakers see how a real audience responds to a film.
“Inviting our members to the AFM will help filmmakers see how a real audience responds to a film and will provide valuable insight into the direction of a future theatrical release,” they said.
The New Screening Options at the AMC Century City 15
The AFM is introducing more flexible screening options, with world and market premieres, slate showcases and amplified screenings now incorporating hospitality, concessions, red-carpet moments and photo opportunities with talent.
All AFM screenings will be held at the AMC Century City 15 from Nov. 10-13.
The scheduling is tight. The AFM runs Nov. 10-15, and the screenings take up the first four days of the event.
The 47th AFM and Its Exhibitors
The 47th AFM is taking place Nov. 10-15. More than 215 exhibiting companies have confirmed, including:
- 193
- A Higher Standard
- AGC Studios
- Altitude
- Angel
- Anton
- Architect
- Beta Cinema
- Blue Fox Entertainment Group
- Capstone
- Capture
- Charades
- Cornerstone Films
- Embankment Films
- Film Mode Entertainment
- Fantawild
- Filmax
- Gaumont
- HanWay Films
- Highland Film Group
- Kinology
- Lionsgate
- Manifest
- Millennium Media
- Mister Smith Entertainment
- MK2
- Neon
- Pathé Films
- Protagonist Pictures
- SND M6 Group
- StudioCanal
- Studio TF1
- The Playmaker Munich
- Playtime
- The Pool Films
- TrustNordisk
- The Veterans
- Voltage Pictures
- XYZ Films
The AFM has been around for 47 years, and it has always been a place where buyers gather to find their next projects. This year, the AFM is adding a new buyer: the audience itself.
What the B-List Members Get
The B-List Movie Club’s 5,000 L.A. members will be able to access screenings and presentations from companies looking for audience feedback.
The deal is simple: companies get a real audience response. Fans get early looks at films they might not otherwise see. It is a win for everyone involved.
The AFM is not just selling to buyers. It is also selling to the people who will eventually decide which films get a second weekend.
Source material: “American Film Market Partners With AMC A-List and B-List Movie Club to Offer Screenings to Frequent Moviegoers,” Variety.
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