Overall attendance for the 29th American Film Market was 7 903 announced Jonathan Wolf managing director of the AFM and executive vice president of the Independent Film & Television Alliance. A total of 1 527 buyers representing 65 countries attended which was held last month in Santa Monica California. Buyers from the Middle East grew 25 percent from last year to 40 from 32. Notable year-to-year buyer attendance from other territories included Russia up 14 percent Germany up seven percent Hong Kong up 42 percent and Korea up 18 percent. Exhibitor-affiliated participants including their executives producers talent and guests totaled 3 791 and industry attendees (non-buyers and sellers) were 1 745. Guests of IFTA at this year’s market numbered 573 while 267 members of the global press corp. were registered. A total of 409 companies from 36 countries exhibited which marks the fifth straight year the AFM has reached full capacity at the Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel and Le Merigot Beach Hotel. Additionally 527 films in 35 languages were screened during AFM. AFM 2009 will be held next November 4-11. AFM www.ifta-online.org/afm
