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# Film show to stay in SM
- URL: https://www.smdp.com/film-show-to-stay-in-sm/
- Published: 2004-07-20T15:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-23T04:44:55.000Z
- Author: John Wood
- Tags: Business, Downtown, #archive-import

*AFM signs on for 4 years*

DOWNTOWN — The world’s biggest film tradeshow will return to Santa Monica through 2008, attracting thousands of industry professionals and pumping tens of millions of dollars into the local economy, it was announced Monday.

Called the American Film Market, the eight-day tradeshow has been held in Santa Monica for 14 years. It attracts some 7,000 buyers and exhibitors from more than 70 countries, who ink about $500 million in film deals, tourism officials said.

With many of Santa Monica’s 3,700 hotel rooms booked solid during the tradeshow, City Hall earns between $250,000 and $300,000 annually in hotel bed taxes. For local merchants, the influx of visitors translates into untold millions of dollars in meals, sales and cab rides. As much as $17 million is funneled into the local economy during each tradeshow, officials estimate.

“The revenue AFM brings each year provides a welcome boost to our economy and contributes to the year-round success of smaller businesses that rely heavily on tourism dollars,” said Misti Kerns, executive director of the Santa Monica Convention and Visitors Bureau, in a prepared statement.

Celebrating its 25th anniversary, the film market will be held in November for the first time this year. According to the deal announced Monday, it will return to the Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel each November through 2008.

Before this year, the event had been held every February. Officials moved it so it would be on schedule with other major film events, and not conflict with the Academy Awards Already more than 250 exhibitors have lined up for the Nov. 3-10 tradeshow, a stronger showing than in February.

Jonathan Wolf, managing director of AFM and executive vice president of the Independent Film and Television Alliance, a trade association of producers and distributors, said he was pleased officials agreed on terms to keep the event local.

Hundreds of independent companies, including Miramax, New Line Cinema and Lion’s Gate Films, have attended previous AFM events. The movies are screened at all 23 theaters on the Third Street Promenade. Loews acts as a sort of tradeshow floor, where executives view clips and sell distribution rights. Past popular favorites from the market include “My Big Fat Greek Wedding” and “Slingblade,” among others.

The 342-room luxury hotel is transformed into offices for movie executives during the event. Beds and furniture are removed, and desks and other office furniture are brought in.

*Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on July 20, 2004.* [Read the original PDF.](https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/smdp%5Fbackissues/072004.pdf?ref=smdp.com)