Las Vegas, long regarded as the entertainment capital teeming with glitz and glamour, is poised for yet another leap towards cinematic grandeur. Eighteen months into a vision dubbed “Hollywood 2.0,” the city celebrates a significant coup as it lures away from Southern California the prestigious American Film Market (AFM), an illustrious event traditionally anchored in the coastal charm of Santa Monica.
The decision has industry aficionados and professionals buzzing with anticipation as the 45th edition of AFM prepares to unfurl its red carpet at the Palms Casino Resort from November 5th to 10th, 2024. This event stands as a beacon for the film and television industries, distinct from the major studio networks. Its annual six-day convention transforms into a bustling marketplace, where iconic films such as “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy, “John Wick,” and “The Hunger Games” once secured financing or found their eager market buyers.
Annually drawing an assembly of approximately 7,000 global industry professionals, AFM has honed its reputation as a cornerstone event over four decades of legacy in Santa Monica. With a new chapter set to begin in the desert oasis, the Palms will offer a fresh backdrop for the market’s myriad of deal-making spectacles.
The Palms Casino Resort, rejuvenated under the aegis of the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians, stands ready to immerse the legions of attendees in its extensive offerings. The property boasts a 14-screen Brenden Theatres multiplex and an impressive 170,000 square feet of space designed for conferences, meetings, and grand events, all of which will now play host to the bustling hive of activity that is AFM.
Clay Epstein, Chair of the Independent Film and Television Alliance, extolled the strengths of the AFM as an incubator of community and commerce within the film industry. Epstein emphasized that the Palms Casino Resort amplifies these traits by providing an exquisite and convenient locale for the diverse needs of participants.
The aura around Palms’ role in the next AFM is charged with excitement. General Manager Cynthia Kiser Murphey echoed the sentiment of anticipation, promising that the premier hospitality associated with the resort will be extended to all guests. This move to Las Vegas has apparently already started to garner enthusiastic backing from international colleagues.
Although attempts to amplify Las Vegas’s allure to the film industry through legislative incentives have faced setbacks, such as the unsuccessful Senate Bill 496, the faith within the industry is unwavering. Advocates remain optimistic about the burgeoning relationship between the film industry and the vibrant city of Las Vegas.
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