For ten days in mid-November, Los Angeles hosts the business of independent film, a showcase of Chinese and American screen work and a festival of cinema from across Asia. The three events overlap from 10 to 19 November, across Century City, Hollywood and Culver City.
American Film Market, 10–15 November
The American Film Market (AFM) returns to the Fairmont Century Plaza in Century City from 10 to 15 November, with badge check-in opening on 9 November. It is where independent films are developed, financed and licensed: sales companies, distributors and financiers close deals there each year, from scripts still looking for money to finished films looking for territories. This year's theme is "The New Global Screen Economy".
Alongside the sales floor, the AFM Sessions bring more than 30 conversations with executives, creators and dealmakers across two stages, LocationEXPO connects producers with film commissions and production services from around the world, and four days of market premieres screen at AMC Century City 15.
AI at AFM: the AFM House
For the second year, AI and other new production tools have their own space at the market. The AFM House, directly across from the Fairmont Century Plaza, is open from 11 to 14 November and houses the Innovation Hub, run in collaboration with the Marché du Film's Cannes Next programme. It offers live demonstrations and talks on the tools changing how projects move from concept to screen, with sessions on theatrical distribution, cinema technology and AI. Last year's exhibitors included Largo.ai, Panjaya, Veritone, InShorts.AI and Longline AI. The House is open to all AFM badge holders.
Chinese American Film Festival
The 22nd Chinese American Film Festival and Chinese American TV Festival (CAFF & CATF) run through November, with screenings at cinemas, universities, museums and community venues across Los Angeles. Founded by EDI Media Inc., the festival presents itself as a platform connecting Chinese and American filmmakers. Its two headline events, the Golden Angel Awards ceremony and the CAFF & CATF Summit & Showcase, fall in its opening days; the organiser's listings differ on the exact day and venue, so check cafilmfestival.com before booking. Early-bird tickets are on sale until 31 October, and ticket sales close on 9 November.
Asian World Film Festival, 12–19 November
The 12th Asian World Film Festival (AWFF) runs from 12 to 19 November at The Culver Theater, 9500 Culver Boulevard, Culver City. The festival brings a broad selection of Asian cinema to Los Angeles to win wider recognition for the region's filmmakers and to strengthen ties between Asian and Hollywood film industries. Over its first eleven editions it has screened films from more than 50 Asian nations, and its competition titles contend for the Snow Leopard awards. Last year it opened with Park Chan-wook's No Other Choice; this year's line-up has not yet been announced.
Attending
- AFM: 10–15 November, Fairmont Century Plaza, Century City. The AFM House is open to badge holders, 11–14 November. Badges and programme at americanfilmmarket.com.
- CAFF & CATF: November, Hollywood and venues across Los Angeles. Early bird until 31 October; tickets at cafilmfestival.com.
- AWFF: 12–19 November, The Culver Theater, Culver City. Programme and tickets at asianworldfilmfest.org.