Tag Archives: American Film Market

IFTA/AFM Announces CEO Jean Prewitt to Step Down after 25 Years

Posted by Larry Gleeson

 

INDEPENDENT FILM & TELEVISION ALLIANCE® PRESIDENT & CEO JEAN PREWITT  TO STEP DOWN AFTER 25 YEARS OF LEADERSHIP

Prewitt to Depart at End of 2025 Following the American Film Market’s Highly Anticipated Return to Los Angeles

 

LOS ANGELES, CA – September 3, 2025 — The Independent Film & Television Alliance® (IFTA®), the global trade association of the independent industry and producer of the American Film Market® (AFM®), announced today that President & CEO Jean Prewitt will step down at year-end following a 25-year tenure with the organization.

IFTA retained the firm McCormack + Kristel to support its search for Prewitt’s successor. This transition has been thoughtfully considered with Prewitt and the IFTA Board for several months. She committed to continue in her role until AFM was firmly relocated back to Los Angeles and to lead the IFTA team through the 2025 Market. She will work with the organization’s next leader, once appointed, to support a smooth transition.

Throughout her tenure, Prewitt has guided IFTA and AFM through a rapidly evolving global marketplace, giving the independent sector a seat at decision-making tables and advocating for its unique needs. She championed Independents’ access to new markets and their ability to compete in a consolidating industry, while strengthening AFM’s role as a premier destination for the international community to conduct business. Under her direction, IFTA solidified its standing as the definitive voice for Independents and advanced its policy work on issues vital to the sector in the U.S. and around the world, including copyright protections, removing trade barriers, tax incentives, royalty collections, and changes in licensing practices.

“Jean’s vision and dedication have been instrumental in shaping both IFTA and AFM into the global pillars of our industry they are today,” said Clay Epstein, IFTA Chairperson and President of Film Mode Entertainment. “Her leadership has navigated profound challenges while ensuring that independent film and television companies have a powerful voice and the resources to thrive in a constantly evolving business. It will be difficult to match her impact, but we are excited about the future for IFTA she has set in motion.”

“It has been a privilege to serve IFTA and the independent sector for the past 25 years,” said Prewitt. “Driving IFTA through recent transitions — including AFM’s return to Los Angeles in 2025 and strengthening the independent industry’s capacity to meet change — has been immensely rewarding. This feels like the right moment to pass the torch as the Alliance prepares for its next chapter. I am proud of what we have accomplished together and optimistic about the opportunities that lie ahead for the Independents.”

About the Independent Film & Television Alliance® (IFTA®)

IFTA is the global trade association for independent film and television production, finance, distribution, and sales companies. The organization represents the independent sector before governments and international bodies and provides significant entertainment industry services to its member companies in more than 20 countries consisting of independent production and distribution companies, sales agents, and financial institutions engaged in production finance. Each November, it produces the American Film Market, the world’s largest motion picture event, drawing thousands of industry leaders from 80 countries and leading to more than $1 Billion in distribution and film financing deals. IFTA also develops and publishes the IFTA Model Agreements which articulate the industry-wide standards and key definitions for licensing international rights in motion pictures and television programming and are reviewed and revised regularly to keep pace with the evolving worldwide film and television industry. For more information on IFTA, visit www.IFTA-online.org.

 

McCormack + Kristel

For more information on the company, please visit https: www.mccormackkristel.com

 

Media Contact:

Jennifer Garnick | VP, Communications

Independent Film & Television Alliance

jgarnick@ifta-online.org, 310-446-1006

AMERICAN FILM MARKET® EXHIBITORS SHOW STRONG EARLY SUPPORT FOR INAUGURAL 2024 LAS VEGAS EVENT

Palms Casino Resort, Las Vegas, Nevada, home of the 2024 American Film Market.

Los Angeles, CA – July 15, 2024 — The American Film Market® (AFM®) today announced the current lineup of participating Exhibitors for its upcoming 45th edition, scheduled for November 5-10, 2024. This year marks a significant milestone as the AFM relocates to the Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas for the first time.

With AFM still four months away, Exhibitor registrations are surging, with early sign-ups far surpassing previous years. Currently, 145 sales, production, and distribution companies, along with international trade organizations, film commissions, and national umbrella stands from 25 countries have secured spaces in The Palms’ Fantasy Tower, AFM’s designated hub. The ongoing influx of Exhibitor commitments establishes serious momentum for the Las Vegas show and indicates that AFM 2024 will exceed recent participation levels.

Exhibitors to date include major international companies and organizations such as A24, AGC Studios, Altitude Film Sales, Anton, Arclight Films, The Asylum, Bankside Films, Black Bear Pictures, Blue Fox Entertainment, Charades, Cinema Management Group, CJ ENM, Cornerstone, Embankment Films Limited, The Exchange, Fantawild Animation Inc., Film Factory Entertainment, Film Mode Entertainment, Film Seekers, FilmNation, Gaumont, GOODFELLAS /Wild Bunch International, HanWay Films, Highland Film Group, Inc., Indie Rights, Lakeshore, Lionsgate, Myriad, NEON, Pathé Films, The Playmaker Munich, Protagonist Pictures, STUDIOCANAL, Telepool GmbH, The Match Factory, Trust Nordisk, Unifrance, The Veterans, Vision Films, Inc., Voltage Pictures, WestEnd Films, WME Independent, and XYZ Films, among many others. 

Buyer and Attendee participation is also running strong since registration opened in mid-June, with participants from 45 countries already registered. Organizers estimate total participation to come from more than 80 countries. 

Early commitments from Exhibitors and Buyers underscores the event’s global significance and returning confidence in the business.  The convenience of hosting all participants and Market activities in a single location, including AFM Screenings at The Palms’ Brenden Theatres and The AFM Sessions, also is welcomed by Exhibitors and Buyers alike. 

AFM 2024 will be a landmark event for global content, offering unparalleled opportunities for discovering the newest independent film and TV productions and projects and an energetic and efficient environment for business transactions, networking, knowledge sharing, and educational opportunities. Further details about AFM Exhibitors and the comprehensive event schedule, conferences and speakers will be announced in the coming weeks and months.

For the Current List of AFM Exhibitors, visit:americanfilmmarket.com/exhibitor-list-2024

For More Information on AFM and to Register, visit: americanfilmmarket.com.

About the American Film Market® (AFM®)

The AFM is where the global film and television business comes to life every November. The only independently produced international sales market, hundreds of finance, production, sales and distribution companies and thousands of professionals from every segment of the industry, convene at AFM for six days of discovery, development, deal making, networking, marketplace discussions and world-class conferences. The AFM is produced by the Independent Film & Television Alliance® (IFTA®) and serves as the annual fundraiser for the association.  

 

About the Independent Film & Television Alliance® (IFTA®)


IFTA is the global trade association for independent film and television production, finance, distribution, and sales companies. The organization represents the independent sector before governments and international bodies and provides significant entertainment industry services to independent companies around the world. 

About Palms Casino Resort

Palms Casino Resort is a trailblazer as the first Las Vegas resort fully owned and operated by a Native American tribe, the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians. With 766 hotel rooms and suites across two towers, Palms offers a dynamic mix of bars and restaurants including the acclaimed steakhouse Scotch 80 Prime, the popular A.Y.C.E Buffet, and celebrity chef-driven eateries including Mabel’s BBQ by Chef Michael Symon and sky-high dining at Vetri Cucina from Chef Marc Vetri. Home to live entertainment venues, and unique lifestyle experiences within a redesigned 95,000-square-foot casino, amenities include free valet and self-parking, The Pearl (a 2,500-seat concert theater), Ghostbar Rooftop Lounge, The Spa & Salon, the Brenden Theatre 14-screen cinema, over 190,000 square feet of meeting space, and nearly 600 units at Palms Place condominiums. Sammy’s Island at Palms Pool, named after rock legend Sammy Hagar, offers island fun and laid-back vibes. Palms features innovative suites like the Hardwood Suite for basketball fans, the Kingpin Suite for bowling enthusiasts, and many more theme suites. The Sky Villa suites, with masterful artwork and private pools & terraces, with breathtaking views of the Strip provide unmatched luxury for unforgettable experiences. Located just west of the Las Vegas Strip off I-15 on Flamingo Road, Palms Casino Resort is owned by The San Manuel Gaming and Hospitality Authority (SMGHA), an affiliate of the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians. For more details, visit palms.com or the Palms Press Room. 

 

Press Release: Jennifer Garnick | VP, Communications, Independent Film & Television Alliance

Rising India, Inc.’s TomCat Films Announces successful American Film Market with Multiple Distribution Deals in Asia, USA and Germany

PHOENIX, AZ–(Marketwired – Nov 11, 2016) –  Rising India, Inc. (OTC: RSII), a company focused in undervalued opportunities in entertainment, media and hospitality, announces today that fully owned subsidiary TomCat Films has closed deals on 27 film distribution licenses at the American Film Market last week with South Korea being the key buying territory of the market.

TomCat has inked a deal with Mania 22. The South Korean buyer has signed to distribute 20 titles from the TomCat catalog of new films, including “2021”, “3 Tails: A Mermaid Adventure”, “All In Time”, “Appleton”, “Forced Move” and more.

Action, Sci-Fi film, “Genesis: Fall of the Crime Empire” was picked up by Radice, Inc. of South Korea for All Rights.

Six titles went to Jaye Entertainment Co., Ltd. For South Korean rights, including, “Dutch Kills” with Peta Wilson, “Lazarus Rising” starring Eric Roberts and C. Thomas Howell, “All I Need” starring Caitlin Stasey, “Most Dangerous Game”, “Paramedics” and “Watch Me Die”.

Mermaid family film, “3Tails: A Mermaid Adventure” was picked up for Video rights in Germany by Lighthouse Home Entertainment.

U.S. DVD and VOD rights of 3-D horror film, “American Mummy”, were acquired by Wild Eye Releasing.

China’s FirstBrave acquired rights to two love stories, “Love Meet Hope” with Ed Asner and “All In Time” which is currently in U.S. theaters.

COO Ted Chalmers states, “We are very pleased with the deals and we are anticipating further results from the AFM to report to shareholders in the coming days and weeks, alongside news on new acquisitions and potential revenue streams”. TomCat will also be attending the European Film Market (EFM) in February.

TOMCAT ON YOUTUBE (Warning: some content may be NSFW) : https://www.youtube.com/user/tcprod1

FOLLOW $RSII ON TWITTER @risingindiausa

Read about TomCat Films, LLC here: http://tomcatfilmsllc.com/about-us
Check out: http://www.SummerHillFilms.com for our prestige label!

Contact Information

(SOURCE: Rising India, Inc., http://www.marketwired.com)

AFM: Jonathan Lipnicki Horror Film ‘Circus Kane’ Finds Distribution (Exclusive)

Circus Kane is going to be frightening moviegoers with help from Uncork’d Entertainment, which has secured worldwide distribution rights to the circus-themed horror film.

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The film from DeInstitutionalized stars Jonathan Lipnicki, and sees sees a reclusive circus master invite a group of social media stars to his house of haunts. Anyone who can make it out before being scared into submission will earn $250,000 — but the social media stars soon learn they are not only competing for money, but also fighting their lives.

The film is being directed by Christopher Douglas-Olen Ray from a script by James Cullen Bressack and Zack Ward, based on a story by Sean Sellars.

“I’ve worked with James on two films (Restoration and Bethany), and have followed Chris and his body of work for some time so the opportunity to work with both of them couldn’t be passed up” said Uncork’d President Keith Leopard.

DeInstitutionalized’s Gerald Webb and Christopher Ray are producing the project along with Bressack.

“We are very excited to work with Keith and the team at Uncork’d Entertainment. Their experience and relationships across all platforms make them the perfect partner to distribute Circus Kane.” Producers Webb, Ray and Bressack said in a joint statement.

At the top of the post, check out the first production still from Circus Kane, which features actor Bill Voorhees as one of circus master Kane’s horde of demented henchmen. The production team promises that’s just a small taste of the horrors to come from the film.

uncorked-logo

(Source: http://www.hollywoodreporter.com)

The Movie Studio, Inc. Premiers Latest Feature Film Bad Actress for Worldwide Release at the 2016 American Film Market in Los Angeles, California

The Movie Studio has announced the premier of its latest feature film BAD ACTRESS with exclusive worldwide distribution rights at the 37th edition of The American Film Market (AFM) in Los Angeles, California November 2nd – 9th 2016.
BAD ACTRESS — www.badactressthemovie.com will join the “BAD” movie genre:
BAD TEACHER — http://www.sonypictures.com/movies/badteacher/ — $200 mm Worldwide
BAD GRANDPA — http://www.imdb.com/title/tt3063516/ — $160 mm Worldwide
BAD MOM — http://stxmovies.com/badmoms/ — $179 mm Worldwide
BAD SANTA — http://www.miramax.com/movie/bad-santa/ — $77 mm Worldwide
BAD SANTA 2 — http://www.badsanta2.com — COMING SOON! In Theaters November 23rd 2016

Movie Studio President and CEO, Gordon Scott Venters, announced, “The premier release of ‘BAD ACTRESS’ at AFM the timing could not be better with the Video on Demand (VOD) market being driven by title, genre or star. Following the locomotive Blockbusters in the BAD genre, ‘BAD ACTRESS’ could produce significant distribution interest. The Movie Studio’s formula of developing vertically integrated sponsors, locations and product placements that create substantial production value in contrast with the true capital expenditures of the movie, could monetize the asset in both foreign and domestic markets.”

About The Movie Studio Inc.
The Movie Studio, Inc. is a vertically integrated motion picture production and distribution Company with completed motion picture and production assets. The Company acquires, develops, manufactures, and distributes independent motion picture content for worldwide consumption in Theatrical, Video on Demand (VOD), Foreign Sales and on various media devices. For more information, visit www.themoviestudio.com.

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(Excerpt from The Movie Studio, Inc. press release.)