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# American Film Market ready to roll into SM
- URL: https://www.smdp.com/american-film-market-ready-to-roll-into-sm/
- Published: 2005-10-20T15:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-23T08:01:02.000Z
- Author: Guest Author
- Tags: Business, Santa Monica, #archive-import

*By Daily Press staff*

A record 529 films are confirmed to screen at the 26th American Film Market — to be held the first week of November in Santa Monica — including a record 382 market premieres, said Jonathan Wolf, executive vice president of Independent Film & Television Alliance and managing director of AFM.

In addition, 45 films represented at the AFM are official selections at AFI FEST presented by Audi, including 43 of the festival’s 70 narrative features, and two of its 17 feature documentaries.

“This record breaking market is a testament to the strength of the independent film business around the world,” said Wolf. “The 45 films at both the AFM and AFI FEST show that the industry sees tremendous value in our festival-market alliance.”

A record 410 exhibitors will take part in the 2005 AFM, making it the largest market in the event’s history. Exhibitors will come from 33 countries, also a record. The 410 exhibitors represent a 15 percent increase from the 356 companies that exhibited at the November 2004 AFM, officials said. The increase is across-the-board, with 24 countries showing an increase in exhibiting companies.

There are 35 languages represented amongst the 529 films, also a record. A selection of notable titles screening at the AFM include: “American Gun” with Donald Sutherland and Marcia Gay Harden (Pathé Pictures International) (U.S.); “Ask the Dust” with Colin Farrell and Salma Hayek (Capitol Films) (U.K.); “Brooklyn Rules” with Freddie Prinze, Jr. and Mena Suvari (KMI) (U.S.); “Conversations with other Women” with Helena Bonham Carter and Aaron Eckhart (Fabrication Films) (U.S.); “Ellie Parker” with Naomi Watts and Chevy Chase (Dream Entertainment) (U.S.); and “Fierce People” with Diane Lane and Donald Sutherland (Lions Gate Films) (U.S.).

The full list of films being screened along with cast, director and synopses appears on the AFM Web site www.americanfilmmarket.com.For additional information on the festival please visit www.AFI.com The AFM is the world’s largest motion picture trade event. The AFM is a global marketplace where more than $500 million in motion picture, and television production and distribution deals are closed annually. Each year, more than 7,000 industry professionals converge in Santa Monica for eight days of deal making, screenings, seminars, networking and hospitality. Participants come from more than 70 countries, and include leaders in motion picture and television production and distribution, directors, agents, writers, lawyers, bankers, festival directors, film commissioners and trade groups.

The AFM is produced by the Independent Film & Television Alliance (IFTA), the trade association representing the world’s producers and distributors of independent motion pictures and television programs.

In 2004, the AFM moved to November and established a strategic alliance with AFI FEST, creating the only festival-market combination in North America. Officials say that the alliance has successfully resulted in a unique combination of commerce and culture. AFI FEST runs Nov. 3-13.

For more information on the AFM, visit www.americanfilmmarket.com. What’s a film without some snacks?

*Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on October 20, 2005.* [Read the original PDF.](https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/smdp%5Fbackissues/102005.pdf?ref=smdp.com)