The American Film Market (AFM®) will mark its 40th edition November 6-13 with its most expansive programming to date. New to the lineup is a half-day Television Conference and a session centered on AVOD (Ad Supported Video On Demand).
AFM’s more than 50 panels, roundtables and presentations will showcase international industry experts, decision makers, and academics across three stages, alongside the AFM’s industry screenings and marketplace.
Ted Schilowitz, XR expert and futurist at Paramount Pictures, will also present the opening State of the Industry keynote for AFM’s half-day Immersive Summit presented by Winston Baker on November 9.
AFM ’s Distribution Conference on November 12 will feature The Rise of AVOD panel with speakers Floris Bauer, president, Gunpowder & Sky, Jeff Shultz, chief business officer, Pluto TV, Adam Lewinson, chief content officer, Tubi TV, Julian Franco, sr. director–AVOD, Vudu, and Anthony Layser, VP, partnerships & programming, Xumo. Moderated by Bruce Eisen, president, Digital Advisors, the session will explore this rapidly expanding model and the opportunities for independent film.
For the first time, AFM will spotlight the small screen with a half-day Television Conference on November 11. Two panels will examine the increasing opportunities for feature-length programming and made-for-TV Movies with TV networks and platforms. Initial panelists include producer Debra Martin Chase, Paul Bales, partner, The Asylum, Michael Stiller, VP, development & programming, The History Channel, Tony Vassiliadis, chief operations officer, MarVista Entertainment, Brad Krevoy, CEO, Motion Picture Corporation of America, and Pierre David, chief strategy advisor and producer, ReelOne/Lance Entertainment.
In his current role, Schilowitz works with studio leadership and the technology teams at Paramount/Viacom, exploring forms of new and emerging technologies, with an emphasis on virtual and mixed reality. Three XR panels covering topics ranging from storytelling to monetization will follow his keynote.
Sean “Diddy” Combs to stay in jail while appeals court takes up bail fight
A federal appeals court judge has ruled to keep Sean "Diddy" Combs locked up while he makes a third bid for bail in his sex trafficking case, which is slated to go to trial in May.
In a decision filed Friday, Circuit Judge William J. Nardini denied the hip-hop mogul's immediate release from jail while a three-judge panel weighs his bail request.
Combs' lawyers appealed to the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals on Sept. 30 after two judges rejected his release.
Combs, 54, has been held at a federal jail in Brooklyn since his Sept. 16 arrest on charges that he used his "power and prestige" as a music star to induce female victims into drugged-up, elaborately produced sexual performances with male sex workers in events dubbed "Freak Offs."
Combs has pleaded not guilty to racketeering conspiracy and sex trafficking charges alleging he coerced and abused women for years with help from a network of associates and employees while silencing victims through blackmail and violence, including kidnapping, arson and physical beatings.
At a bail hearing three weeks ago, a judge rejected the defense's $50 million bail proposal that would've allowed the "I'll Be Missing You" singer to be placed under house arrest at his Florida mansion with GPS monitoring and strict limits on visitors.
Judge Andrew L. Carter Jr., who has since recused himself from the case, said that prosecutors had presented "clear and convincing evidence" that Combs is a danger to the community. He said "no condition or set of conditions" could guard against the risk of Combs obstructing the investigation or threatening or harming witnesses.
In their appeal, Combs' lawyers argued that the judge had "endorsed the government's exaggerated rhetoric" and ordered Combs... Read More