{"id":1824,"date":"2025-09-22T19:35:14","date_gmt":"2025-09-22T19:35:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/filmfreeway.com\/articles\/?p=1824"},"modified":"2025-09-26T14:00:35","modified_gmt":"2025-09-26T14:00:35","slug":"how-to-work-the-american-film-market","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/filmfreeway.com\/articles\/how-to-work-the-american-film-market\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Work the American Film Market"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Sponsored by American Film Market<\/em>
The American Film Market (AFM) is a great place to find partners for projects and films \u2013 if you have a plan. Use these steps to increase your chances of success. We also encourage you to watch the recording of our AFM online orientation to gain more insights HERE<\/mark><\/strong><\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n

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The first thing you need to know is that the AFM is fundamentally different from a film festival. While a festival showcases films to an audience to build prestige and recognition, AFM is for industry professionals to network and facilitate meetings and business transactions, including selling films & projects, securing financing, and acquiring rights.\u202fEvery November, 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.\u202f\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you have a project or script, or are a producer with a finished film, the most effective use of your time and money is to purchase a Platinum<\/strong><\/a>,<\/strong> Four Day Plus<\/strong>\u202f<\/a>or\u202fFour-Day<\/strong>\u202f<\/a>badge which allows access to all offices, booths and most screenings beginning on Tuesday (Day 1).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Platinum<\/strong> and Plus<\/strong> badges provide access to The AFM Sessions<\/strong><\/a> including\u202fall<\/em>\u202fconferences and panels. Buy your badge by September 26 to take advantage of early pricing. After that date, the prices go up.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

STEP 1: Homework: Create a List of Target Companies<\/strong>\u00a0<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Hundreds of production, sales, and distribution companies have offices at the AFM but not all are right for your film. Focus your time and effort on the companies that are best suited for your project.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Starting about one month before the AFM, go to\u202fThe Film Catalogue<\/strong><\/a>. Most AFM companies list their projects, profile and staff contact information. Do further research utilizing\u202fCinando<\/strong><\/a>\u202f(all AFM badge holders, excluding Day Badges, receive a free one-year subscription) as well as on the web. Find the companies that are the best candidates for your film.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One of the big mistakes producers make is thinking their wonderful project or film is something that every company will want. But companies have different production profiles specializing in certain budgets, genre, risk, audience, distribution channels, etc.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Once you have created a target list, if there are less than 10, you\u2019re being too picky. [\u201cNo distributor is right for MY film!\u201d] If there are 100 or more, your homework grade is \u201cincomplete.\u201d Keep working. A good target list for most projects is 30 \u2013 40 companies.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

STEP 2: More Homework: Create a List of Target Executives\u00a0<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

For each of your target companies, identify the key executives, especially those in charge of acquisitions, development and production. Look for their names in the trades (Variety, Screen International, The Hollywood Reporter, and Deadline) and on company websites. If you can\u2019t find the right names, call the company\u2019s main office and ask.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Finding out who\u2019s who is critical. You will never get anywhere by walking into an office unprepared and saying: \u201cHi, who is your head of acquisitions? I\u2019d like to meet with them.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

STEP 3: Start Scheduling Meetings<\/strong>\u00a0<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Most companies begin setting their meeting schedule four weeks before the Market. The best way to contact them is to send a short,\u202fpersonalized<\/strong>\u202f<\/strong>email. After a few days, follow-up again by email and then by phone.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Your pitch to get the meeting is just as important as your film\u2019s pitch. When asking for a meeting:\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n