The Fairmont Century Plaza Hotel in Century City, Calif.
AFM Teams With Cannes Film Market on Innovation Hub, AI-Focused Programming
October 20, 2025
The American Film Market (AFM) and Marché du Film, aka the Cannes Film Market, on Oct. 20 announced the two markets are collaborating on an Innovation Hub and AI-focused programming at AFM 2025, which will be held Nov. 11-16 at the Fairmont Century Plaza Hotel in Century City, Calif.
The collaboration is rooted in Marche’s Cannes Next innovation hub at last May’s Cannes Film Festival.
Like its Cannes counterpart, the AFM’s Innovation Hub will spotlight cutting-edge creative and business technology tools that support the development, financing, and production of content. Designed as both an exhibition and ideas forum, it will showcase companies at the intersection of creativity, commerce, and technology, connecting AFM attendees with innovators from across tech, media, and entertainment.
Also as part of the Marché du Film collaboration, AFM 2025 will feature several AI sessions, including:
- Visualizing the Future of Commercial Content: What AI Means for the Industry, Nov. 13, 11 a.m. to noon. Speakers include Darren Frankel, Head of Film & TV for Adobe; Scott Martin, founder of Aspen IP Consulting LLC and former deputy general counsel for Paramount Pictures; and Lori McCreary, CEO of Revelations Entertainment.
- AI in Action: The Platforms Transforming Filmmaking — From Creation to Distribution, Nov. 14, 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Speakers include Will French, head of film and television finance for Fallbrook; Scott Greenberg, co-founder and executive chairman for Othelia Technologies; and Bryn Mooser, founder and CEO of Asteria and co-founder of Moonvalley.
AFM also announced the initial lineup of programming and speakers confirmed for The AFM Sessions presented by Wrapbook and IMDb Pro. Taking place alongside the sales and licensing activity, LocationExpo and Screenings, The AFM Sessions will bring together more than 100 thought leaders, experts and influencers for more than 30 panels, workshops, and presentations examining the forces shaping the industry today and the future of film and content.
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Other key highlights of this year’s sessions include:
- Finance I — From Packaging to Payback: Investment, Incentives & International Markets, Nov. 12, 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Speakers include Ryan Broussard, VP of sales and production incentives for Wrapbook; Jeaneane Davey, founder of Callisto Advisory Inc.; Sam Pressman, CEO of Pressman Film; and Josh Rosenbaum, partner and producer of Waypoint Entertainment.
- Finance II — How They Did It: Strategies That Brought Projects to Life, Nov. 13, 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Speakers include Mark Fasano, partner and CEO of Nickel City Pictures; Jeffrey Greenstein, founder and CEO of A Higher Standard; Allison Hironaka, head of film and TV for Caviar LA; and Laura Lewis, founder and CEO of Rebelle Media.
- Level Up: The Evolving Relationship Between Filmmaking and Gaming, Nov. 13, 1 to 2 p.m. Speakers include Russell Binder, partner of Striker Entertainment; Amanda Krouse, VP of business development for Blumhouse; Blake Rochkind, head of Lyrical Games; and Patrick Sweeney, founder of Interactive Entertainment Law Group.
- Dealmakers’ View: Inside Independent Film Sales and Today’s Global Marketplace, Nov. 13, 3 to 4 p.m. Speakers include Clay Epstein, president of Film Mode Entertainment; Kevin Goetz, founder and CEO of Screen Engine; George Hamilton, chief commercial officer for Protagonist Pictures; and Steven C. Miller, filmmaker (Line of Duty).
- Fright Club: The Power Players Behind Modern Horror, Nov. 13, 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. Speakers include Jake Carter, agent at UTA; Jacob Jaffke, SVP of Oddball Entertainment; J.D. Lifshitz, co-founder of BoulderLight Pictures (Weapons, Barbarian); and Raphael Margules, co-founder of BoulderLight Pictures.
- Latinos Navigating Hollywood: Challenges and Opportunities, Nov. 14, 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. Speakers include Rafael Agustin, writer (Jane the Virgin); Yolanda Macias, chief motion pictures officer at Cineverse; Robert Munoz, president of Mucho Mas Media; Anthony Nardolillo, director; and Patricia Riggen, director.
- The AFM Pitch Conference, Nov. 15, 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Speaker/judges include Cassian Elwes, Elevated Film Sales; Lee Jessup, Lee Jessup Career Coaching; and Loni Rodgers, producer and consultant.
More than 260 exhibitors, including leading sales, production and finance companies, international trade organizations and national umbrella stands, are already confirmed for AFM 2025. The event also participants from more than 70 countries and distributors and buyers from 58 territories.
Exhibiting companies include A24, AGC Studios, All Rights Entertainment, Altitude, Anton, Architect, Artedis SA — Cinema Arts, Ashland Media Finance, Bankside Films, Beta Cinema, Blue Fox Entertainment, Charades, CONTENTS PANDA, Cornerstone Films, Electric Entertainment, Epic Pictures Group, Embankment Films, Epsilon Film, Essential Film Group, Fantawild Animation, Film Factory Entertainment, Film Seekers, France TV Distribution, Gaumont, Global Constellation, GOODFELLAS, HanWay Films, Highland Film Group, K5 International, Kinology, Lionsgate, Mister Smith Entertainment, mk2 Films, Mokster Films, NEON, north.five.six, Pathé, Palisades Park Pictures, Protagonist Pictures, Pulsar Content, Reason 8 Films, RedRover Co., Ltd, Rocket Science, SND M6 Group, STUDIOCANAL, Studio TF1, The Match Factory, The Playmaker Munich, Toei Company, TrustNordisk, Unifrance, Vision Media, Voltage Pictures, WME Independent, WTFilms and XYZ Films.