A record 410 exhibitors will take part in the 2005 American Film Market (AFM) November 2-9, making it the largest market in the event’s history. Exhibitors will come from 33 countries, also a record. The announcement was made today by Jonathan Wolf, executive vice president of the Independent Film & Television Alliance (IFTA) and managing director of the American Film Market.

The American Film Market (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, over 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. For more information of the AFM, visit www.americanfilmmarket.com.

The 410 exhibitors represent a 15% increase from the 356 companies that exhibited at the November 2004 AFM. The increase is across-the-board, with 24 countries showing an increase in exhibiting companies. Among exhibiting countries new to the AFM this year are Russia, Vietnam, Taiwan, Egypt and Greece.

“Records are great, but what’s truly exciting is the breadth of the increase.” said Wolf. “With first-time exhibitors coming from 24 countries, it’s clear that the global independent film industry is healthy and growing.”

As announced earlier, to accommodate the growth, the AFM added a second floor of offices at the adjacent Le Merigot Hotel and all exhibit space has been sold. Le Merigot also houses the AFM’s video screening rooms and seminars.

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. This alliance has successfully resulted in a unique combination of commerce and culture. The AFI FEST runs November 3-13, 2005. For more information on AFI FEST, please visit www.afi.com.