AFCI News Releases

THE 24th ANNUAL AFCI LOCATIONS TRADE SHOW 09 CONCLUDES ANOTHER SUCCESSFUL RECORD-BREAKING WORLDWIDE EXHIBITION
SANTA MONICA, CALIFORNIA, APRIL 24. 2009… The Association of Film Commissioners International (AFCI), a worldwide leader in the film community with 345 members representing 49 countries over six continents concluded its Locations Trade Show 09 held April 16-18 at the Santa Monica Civic with the most successful year in its 24 years.  Locations Trade Show is the longest running entertainment industry trade event in North America.

This year, there were over 4,000 film, video and commercial industry professionals attending the three-day show representing a 19% increase over 2008’s record-breaking attendance figures.   There were 240 exhibitors from more than 30 countries and 180 AFCI-Member Film Commissioners participating, more than 50% of the worldwide membership.  More than 238 booths filled the Civic Center representing 160 AFCI members and 78 non-members.

“AFCI Locations Trade Show has become a must-attend industry event for producers, production executives and other production decision makers who need to keep up with international trends, information and resources,” says Bill Lindstrom, AFCI’s CEO. “With incentive programs worldwide being deeply scrutinized and adjusted, AFCI Film Commissions are the best source for information about the status and efficacy of incentive and financing programs, and this was represented by our record-breaking attendance of over 4,000 film professionals who wanted to know the latest information on national and international location filming, incentives and rebates.” 

Since launching its Global Initiatives, the AFCI has seen a number of new and returning participants to the Locations Trade Show including Bruge, Flanders, Czech Republic, U.S. Virgin Islands, Tourism Malaysia, the Philippines and Panama in 2008, in 2009 Serbia, Bavaria Film Group Namibia, and Trubo Colombia.  Last year, the AFCI added more than 20 members including new commissions in the United States, Mexico, Brazil, Chile, the Philippines, New Zealand, Italy, Belgium, Norway, Sweden and Finland.

In addition to the Locations Trade Show, the AFCI had standing room only attendance at two seminars:    “Candid Conversations with Studio Executives Part 2: The Film Commission as Investor,” sponsored by the AFCI and the MPAA; and “Soft Money: Digital & Dollars” included two panels:  “Production Through Exhibition” and “Globalization & Incentives: Film Without Borders,” sponsored by AFCI, Loyola Law School and Herrick, Feinstein LLP.

The Association of Film Commissioners International (AFCI) is the global professional organization whose members are film commissioners that assist film, television and video production throughout the world.  It is a non-profit educational association whose members serve as city, county, state, regional, provincial or national film commissioners for their respective governmental jurisdictions.  Website: http://www.afci.org/lts



For More Information, Please Contact
Mr. Blaise J. Noto
President
Blaise Noto & Associates
Office: (808) 879-1227
Mobile: (808) 269-0960
Email: blaisenoto@gmail.com class="newsBoxLink">href="mailto:blaisenoto@gmail.com">blaisenoto@gmail.com

Mr. Kevin Clark
Communications Manager
Association of Film Commissioners International
Office:  (307) 637-4422
Mobile:  (307) 214-2954
Email:              Kevin@afci.org

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