The American Film Market’s debut trip to Las Vegas has, according to organizers, been well received by the industry, at least in terms of registrations.

Earlier this year The Independent Film & Television Alliance announced that its flagship event would relocate from its long-standing base in Santa Monica to the Palm Casino Resort in Las Vegas for its 45th edition, due to take place Nov. 5-10 2024.

Despite still being four months away, the IFTA claims that early sign-up are “far surpassing” previous years, with 145 sales, production and distribution companies, along with international trade organizations, film commissions and national umbrella stands from 25 countries having already secured spaces. It asserts that commitments for the Las Vegas show indicate the event will “exceed recent participation levels.”

Among the companies to have signed up so far A24, AGC Studios, Altitude Film Sales, Anton, Arclight Films, The Asylum, Bankside Films, Black Bear Pictures, Blue Fox Entertainment, Charades, Cinema Management Group, CJ ENM, Cornerstone, Embankment Films Limited, The Exchange, Fantawild Animation Inc., Film Factory Entertainment, Film Mode Entertainment, Film Seekers, FilmNation, Gaumont, Goodfellas/Wild Bunch International, HanWay Films, Highland Film Group, Inc., Indie Rights, Lakeshore, Lionsgate, Myriad, NEON, Pathé Films, The Playmaker Munich, Protagonist Pictures, Studiocanal, Telepool GmbH, The Match Factory, Trust Nordisk, Unifrance, The Veterans, Vision Films, Inc., Voltage Pictures, WestEnd Films, WME Independent, and XYZ Films.

In 2023, the event switched from its longtime home at the Loews Hotel in Santa Monica — where it had been held since 1991 — to the Le Meridian Delfina, a location that disappointed many attendees due to issues with the layout and lifts. The IFTA has touted its single location in Vegas as welcoming both exhibitors and buyers, with the Palm Casino Resort hosting all market activities, including AFM screenings and the AFM sessions.

By Alex Ritman, Variety