AFCI News Releases

The 24th Annual AFCI Locations Trade Show 2009 Brings The World to The Santa Monica Civic on April 16-18, 2009
THE 24th ANNUAL AFCI LOCATIONS TRADE SHOW 2009 BRINGS THE WORLD TO THE SANTA MONICA CIVIC ON APRIL 16-18, 2009


The worldwide film organization addresses economic and incentive challenges to forge stronger global financial and professional partnerships with studios and producers

SANTA MONICA, CALIFORNIA, MARCH 24, 2009… The Association of Film Commissioners International (AFCI) has grown over the years to become a worldwide leader in the film community with 345 members representing 49 countries over six continents.  As the longest running entertainment industry trade event in North America, the AFCI Locations Trade Show will be held this year from April 16-18 at the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium in Santa Monica, California.

“I invite everyone to this year’s Location Trade Show in Santa Monica,” says Mary Nelson, AFCI’s Board President.  “Held annually, Locations has become the biggest and most exciting event of its kind in the world with hundreds of AFCI member film commissions on hand to showcase their unique locations, services and incentives.  This year the opening day of the show will feature Candid Conversations, a fascinating new seminar series featuring studio executives talking frankly about their filmmaking experiences. The thousands of production professionals who attend the event each year make it a not-to-be-missed opportunity for anyone involved with on-location filmmaking, “ concludes Ms. Nelson.

Attending will be over 3,000 industry professionals with 240 exhibitors from more than 30 countries and 180 AFCI member film commissions (representing over 50% of the AFCI membership).  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.

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 Columbia.  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.

“With representation from all over the globe, this year’s Locations Trade Show will be incomparable for information gathering and business networking for the entertainment industry, especially in these difficult economic times,” says Bill Lindstrom, AFCI’s CEO.  

While being a leading worldwide organization, the AFCI is still deeply committed to and involved in working with member film commissions on the local, state and provincial levels not only to support the needs of the major film studios, commercial production companies, and television and cable networks, but also the independent filmmaker who may rely more heavily on the local expertise, resources and resourcefulness of the film commission.  AFCI Member Film Commissions offer a wide variety of cost-savings tools and free services for the global audio-visual industry, and will be coming to this year’s Locations Trade Show even more information about incentives and financial support.  

“AFCI members are experts in their areas and as such, the film commissions continue to find more innovative ways to save money for visiting and local productions,” 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.  They are well positioned to help filmmakers and other creative individuals to save money in making films and other forms of entertainment on location,” he concludes.  

On-line guest and press registration for the AFCI Locations Trade Show 2009 currently is available at www.afci.org/lts.  On-site registration also is available at the Santa Monica Civic on April 16-18.  Show hours are April 16 and 17 from 2:00 pm to 7:00 pm, and April 18 from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm.  Registration is free.


SEMINARS AND PANELS

Each year the AFCI programs seminars and panels that address topics of concern to a broad spectrum of film industry professionals who manage location film productions anywhere in the world.   This year, three events promise to draw packed houses as they have done at past Location Trade Shows and most recently at AFCI’s Cineposium 08 in Wellington, New Zealand.  More information can be accessed about these Seminars at www.afci.org/lts.


CANDID CONVERSATIONS WITH STUDIO EXECUTIVES PART 2:
THE FILM COMMISSION AS INVESTOR

With the first “Candid Conversation with Studio Executives” held at Cineposium 08 in Wellington, New Zealand, the AFCI began building new relationships with the production community regarding the role of the film commission in the financial process and the role of the production company in support of film commissions and the expansion of the incentive program.  Today, film commissions around the world invest hundreds of millions of dollars in production through incentives, grants, film funds and co-production – an essential piece of the financial puzzle.

“Candid Conversations with Studio Executives Part 2: The Film Commission as Investor” will continue the exploration of strong relationships that serve both community and production.  As film commissions defend their incentive programs amid compromising economic realities, how do film commissions use their best skills to collaborate with studios, production companies and producers to build positive models of mutual benefit?

The seminar is moderated by Jeff Monks, South Carolina Film Commission.

Panelists include:
•  Jerry Ketcham – Senior Vice President, Walt Disney Pictures
•  Herbert W. Gains – Executive Producer, Warner Bros. Pictures
•  Garry Brown – Television Producer, Twentieth Century Fox
•  Jim Brubaker – Producer/Executive Liaison, Universal Pictures

Date: Thursday, April 16, 2009
Time: 10:30 am to 12:30 pm
Location: Doubletree Guest Suites, Santa Monica
Registration Fee: $25  
Sponsors:  MPAA


SOFT MONEY 5+: DIGITAL & DOLLARS: PRODUCTION THROUGH EXHIBITION and  GLOBALIZATION & INCENTIVES: FILM WITHOUT BORDERS

Loyola Law School in conjunction with the AFCI presents two informative programs aimed at filmmakers, attorneys, bankers, agents, managers, film commissioners, and studio, network and independent executives. Both panels will be moderated by Ezra Donner, Esq. of the New York law firm Herrick, Feinstein, LLP

Panel 1: “Digital & Dollars: Production Through Exhibition” will address how digital technology is changing every area of filmed entertainment, from script development and production to new means of distribution and exhibition with a focus on evolving business and financial models.  

Panelists include:
•  Michael Karagosian – President, MKPE Consulting LLC
•  Steve Bergman, Deluxe Digital Media.  

Panel 2: “Globalization & Incentives: Film Without Borders” will present case studies of films that have accessed production incentives in two or more jurisdictions, overcoming creative, logistical and bureaucratic hurdles.

Panelists include:
•  Russ Nissen – Executive Vice President, Feature Reporting, Twentieth Century Fox
•  Karen Fouts --  Production Accounting, Warner Bros. Pictures
•  Ralph Winter – Producer, Ralph Winter Productions
•  Claire Chapman – Executive Director, UK Film Council US
•  Pat Kaufman – Executive Director, New York State Governor’s Office for Motion Picture & Television Development
•  Tracey Vieria – Film Commissioner, Ausfilm
•  Susan Ord – Projects Manager, Film New Zealand

Date:  Friday, April 17, 2009
Time:  11:00am – 2:30pm
Location:   Loyola Law School - 919 Albany St, Los Angeles, CA 90015

Registration Fee: $50 (Includes lunch)  Registration is now open on line at www.afci.org/lts.
Sponsors:  AFCI;  Loyola Law School;  Herrick, Feinstein LLP.



MASTER CLASSES

The AFCI premiered its Global Initiatives at Locations Trade Show in 2007 with a commitment to educate film commissioners around the world and raise international educational standards.  The program has been an overwhelming success worldwide with film commissioners having participated from 35 countries since its launch.    AFCI Member Film Commissioners are the highest trained film commissioners in the world.  More than 100 hours of AFCI University coursework and testing is required to achieve the AFCI’s Certified Film Commissioner status. Master classes were launched in 2007 at Cineposium in Santa Fe, as well as in 2008 at the Berlin International Film Festival, Locations Trade Show and at Cineposium in Wellington, New Zealand.  

             “Our industry is global and highly competitive.  The AFCI’s three-tiered Professional Development Program provides training to assist every member of a film office to deliver the highest industry standards to its clients,” says Joan Miller, AFCI Vice-President for Professional Development and Vancouver Island North Film Commission, Canada.