Producing : FREE webinar 10/13 - How to Work the AFM (American Film Market) 2025 by Amanda Toney

Looking forward to everyone submitting questions during Q&A!

Ahhh this is amazing! Fantastic lineup! For independent producers attending AFM for the first time, what’s the best approach to initiating conversations with potential distributors and how can we follow up effectively after the market without losing momentum?

I signed up, Amanda Toney. Looking forward to this webinar!

Ahhh this is gonna be soooo good! Everybody needs to tap in on this!

Very exciting news! Looking forward to seeing what great strides coming out of AFM this year! With the new shifts, I'm interested to see what producers' goals are for this year and what they are looking to accomplish out of AFM! If you're going this year, what's a goal of yours or what can you leverage this year?

Question for the webcast…I would love to hear commentary on the state of the post-pandemic market and how to hit the hunt effectively in a market where even though people are returning to theaters, streamers are still dominating.

I’m so excited to learn all about AFM! I watched the free Cannes webcast the last few years just so I’d have a strong understanding of the festival if I ever got the chance to go- BEST decision ever. When I finally attended this spring, I felt so prepared and was able to hit the ground running. I can’t wait to do the same for AFM now. This kind of insight is truly invaluable!

I’d love to hear the panelists talk about how first-time attendees can make meaningful connections at AFM without feeling overwhelmed by the scale of it all. Any advice for breaking the ice and standing out in such a fast-paced environment?

Having been to AFM a few times, I’m always amazed at the caliber of companies attending and the amount of deals being conducted. For producers, filmmakers or screenwriters attending looking to pitch their project(s), is it recommended to have a partially-packaged project with talent attached or clean scripts can also attract the deal makers present?

I've always wanted to go to AFM, excited to learn what it's all about and how to work it when I do go one day!

Can someone send me the Zoom link?

I know this will be a great webinar. I would love to know how to get my film idea Captain Elbow`s Last Broadcast created. The story of a retiring horror show host and a fan driving across the country visting the areas of former real life horror show hosts.

Hey I signed up my order number is 561798 where is the link to join?

Jan I'm in the same boat let me know if you get in.

Go to your library in the settings and click on the Session image and the link is in there.

When is it going to start?

Any minute now

Huh? Working?

Tuning in from Phoenix, AZ

Good morning! Brisbane Australia!

Roswell New Mexico

Los Angeles, CA!

For those of you having trouble, it just started. Click on the link below and make sure you're logged into your Zoom account so that it loads properly:

Zoom Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_zHKxXvw4SbqZCrnM2YFneg

Honolulu, HI

San Francisco Bay area

Hello from South Florida.

Coming to you from Los Angeles

Tuning in from New York! Hey everyone :)

I'm tuning in from Los Angeles... Can't wait for AFM!

Hello from S. California

Carol Lee Hall from Fremont, CA

Joining from Santa Monica

In! Coming from NYC

Hey Everyone! San Jose, California.

Los Angeles

Howard Sewell in OKC, Oklahoma

Greetings from Scottsdale, AZ where we are haviing a big time Monsoon!

Hello from New Jersey! :)

Here from SW VA

Los Angeles

In LA. :)

Hey, everyone! Greenville, North Carolina.

Aspen, Colorado

Curaçao

Oakland, CA

LA

From Nepal currently in china

Nimes, France

Joining in from Austin, Texas!

Baton Rouge, LA

Hello from Arlington, Virginia

Santa Monica, CA

São Paulo, Brazil.

Hi All from Budapest, Hungary

GA

Atlanta, GA

Here in LA!

Richmond, VA - looking forward to seeing everyone in a few weeks!

LA, CA

LA

I’m a DGA 1st Assistant Director based in Chicago, currently developing my first feature to direct and produce. I’m here to expand my network and trade insight with filmmakers pushing projects toward AFM and beyond.

Istanbul,Turkiye

DTLA

Hi everyone so glad to be here! I'm a writer/director in the southwest!

Salutations from Marina del Rey/LA/Tongva land CA! first time here.

Carol Hall from Fremont, CA

grateful to be here for this considering it is my first AFM. Tuning in from Glendale, AZ

Glad to be here! Writer, Producer, Creator in Orange County! Looking forward to networking at AFM!

I downloaded the AFM25 app, but it doesn't seem to be working.

Carol Lee Hall Reach out to Registration@ifta-online.org if you need assistance with it

Jean thanks so much for your spot on overview! I'm already registered to attend AFM 2025. So happy it's returned to Los Angeles!

14 Hour days - Screenwriter Life

Kudos to the AFM app! Some markets and festivals have a great program, but their app is a challenge.. AFM interface is so user-friendly! Thank you.

Clay, thanks so much for your succinct M.A.R.K.E.T.!

LOVE RB's Wine & Cork background.

Best quote... so many people focus on the craft... you also need to focus on navigating the business

What's an example of the perfect 5 minute pitch?

Thanks for the great panel! Does Film Catalogue have a way of exporting company lists to help with research and prep. Or should we do this through Cinando?

California

IS THERE A SEPARATE LOUNGE FOR PLATINUM BADGE HOLDERS?

Clay, when you mention the first time filmmaker who brought a teaser - was that a filmed proof of concept style teaser, or a slide presentation? Would love to know what is expected these days. Thank you.

Does it sound like buyers are looking for finished projects versus committing to pre-sales? It has been feeling from colleagues like pre-sales are slowly going away or getting much harder, as less companies want to assume any risk, or give any newer filmmakers a chance.

Is there a schedule for official networking events available yet?

We did the one day pass the first time. There are not enough hours in the day to talk to all the possible connections and the miles you will literally run through the building. We did end with a distribution agreement. Three day this time around and trying hard to pre-book meetings. We have a sample reel and supporting docs for the pitch. We are pitching a doc and looking to find companies that will support personal journey and indigenous themes. The issue is often the companies tell me what they did but what they are interested in moving toward.

What would be your best advice for proposing a script that has no support other than text?

How, in an email do you cut through the noise? At Cannes I found it extremely difficult to hear back from distributors and sales agents when I emailed them trying to get a meeting prior to the festival. Although I have very few contacts, I have several high quality projects that are in post production. Thanks for any tips!

Who gets priority with the "upstairs" buyers? Would it be better to go in or be "set. up" by a sales agent?

did they say if the festival schedule is available in advance?

Are one sheets usefull or they thrown in trash once I leave the meeting? :)

is there a better searchable list of exhibitors that is on the AFM site?

I know this can be a frustrating question but is there a company or production effort to create a platform for AI generated only film project?

Great panel and advice!

This has really convinced me to come to AFM! Thank you so much, it was very encouraging as an up and coming filmmaker :)

Thanks so much guys for answering my question. Hope we get to connect at AFM! :) appreciate you taking the time

thank you looking forward to my first AFM as a film commissioner from the Dutch Caribbean Island of Curaçao!

Thanks !

Thank you for this! I look forward to meeting members of Stage32 at AFM!

Thank you Jean, Clay and RB for all the amazing knowledge you have shared! I have been to AFM in the past, and not sure I can make it this year, but I hope so. I look forward to catching up more soon.

Phenomenal webcast! Thank you, Stage 32, RB, Amanda Toney, American Film Market, Jean, and Clay! I hope everyone has a great time and makes connections at AFM!

Are there any comps available? This webinar really inspired and reminded me how much I want to, but I just bought new gear, new subs, and Sundance courses, and am tapped out at the moment!

Absolutely terrific webinar! I would urge all attendees to schedule in the Pitch Conference. Enter the contest (deadline Oct. 15) if possible! Thanks so much Amanda, RB Jean and Clay!

Thank You!

Amazing! Thank you so much everyone!!!

The webinar was great. Ask Clay if he knows where I can find Sisyphus.

@Stotler Scott I think you'll be impressed with the innovation hub and AI panels we are presenting this year.

@Michael J Greene

Here is the link to access the current AFM Exhibitor List. https://exhibitors.americanfilmmarket.com/exhibitor-list/

It was great to connect with all of you today! The recording for today's webcast is now available for you to rewatch. To access your recording just login to your Stage 32 profile, then click "Settings" (top right hand gear icon) > "My Library". AFM will also be sending out the recording, so be on the lookout in your email for it from the AFM team! And, keep asking your questions here. Jennifer Garnick is from the AFM team and will be happy to answer them for you!

Scott McCullough one-sheets are still very useful if done well. In fact you will see the majority of people selling in offices at the market will have one-sheets outside their office for key titles.

@Kyrina Bluerose -- Much of the Sessions schedule is already online with more panels and speakers still being added: https://americanfilmmarket.com/the-afm-sessions/. The Screening Schedule comes out on 10/20.

@Patrick Kanehann The group upstairs are primarily Sales Agents and Production/Finance companies. This is the group that Clay was saying you must reach out in advance to try and set up a meeting and that many may not have acquisitions execs onsite. The Buyers are the ones who get the priority in terms of meetings with those in offices upstairs as they are there, first and foremost, to sell their own completed films and projects.

Dana Berry A combo of research between The Film Catalogue and Cinando is great - they both have tremendous resources. You can't really build a list on TFC, you would need to do manually. https://www.thefilmcatalogue.com/. Be sure to sign up for The Film Catalog weekly emails as well -- a great resource to see what exhibitors are bringing to Market.

I'm going to make a video for the pitch event. EEEEEEK! Anyone else want to share in my fear and horror?

I'm submitting my AFM pitch session video today. The process is certainly educational!

Good luck Kim and Catherine! How exciting!!

Hi. When will those in attendance at the AFM session be given the code for the free class/certification class?

Hi Marilyn! We work with the AFM team to be sending these codes out in waves, but no later than November.

Congratulations Amanda Toney! This looks to be an excellent resource for filmmakers wishing to attend AFM! Bravo @Stage32!

Thanks Amanda! All 2025 AFM attendees need to meet up there! I'm attending Wednesday-Saturday.

Looking forward to watching this webinar, from the comments sounds like it was amazing!!

What a webinar, thank you for all who attended!

Hey all. Toni D with Shake The Tree. Stop by our suite (416) and say hello. This will be our 3rd year exhibiting and my 12th time attending. Looking so forward to being back in Cali for this market and to having meet and greets with filmmakers, and sales and distro teams. Wishing you all success. If anyone wants to try to connect prior... message me. And as always, thanks Stage 32 for continuing to be a great source of support and resources.

Just stepping in to say thanks to all who attended and asked such fantastic and insightful questions. Looking forward to seeing many of you at AFM. Cheers!

You're welcome, Richard "RB" Botto. Looking forward to hearing how AFM goes!

Wishing the incredible Stage 32 team a powerful and inspiring AFM 2025. May bring new partnerships, bold ideas, and the kind of serendipity that only happens when passionate people gather with purpose. Go shine my friends :))

Well, I've been directing a film in Big Bear the last 3 weeks so VERY late to reach out to distributors in the thriller category. If you know any responsive ones, let me know. See ya at the conference.