The American Film Market (AFM) and the Marché du Film have announced a new partnership to jointly present an Innovation Hub and a series of AI-focused sessions at the upcoming edition of the Los Angeles-based industry gathering. Building on the Marché du Film’s successful Cannes Next initiative, the collaboration will highlight technological advances shaping the creative industries and explore how innovation can support the development, financing, and production of audiovisual content.

Set to unfold from 11-16 November 2025 at the Fairmont Century Plaza, the 46th edition of AFM will once again bring together the global independent industry for six days of deal-making, networking, and debate. The new Innovation Hub will serve as both an exhibition and an ideas forum, showcasing companies operating at the intersection of creativity, commerce, and technology, and connecting attendees with leading innovators from across tech, media, and entertainment.

Among the programme’s key highlights are two AI-themed sessions. “Visualizing the Future of Commercial Content: What AI Means for the Industry”, scheduled for 13 November, will feature Darren Frankel, Head of Film and TV at Adobe; Scott Martin, Founder of Aspen IP Consulting and former Deputy General Counsel at Paramount Pictures; and Lori McCreary, CEO of Revelations Entertainment. The following day, “AI in Action: The Platforms Transforming Filmmaking – From Creation to Distribution” will bring together Will French, Head of Film and Television Finance at Fallbrook; Scott Greenberg, Co-Founder and Executive Chairman of Othelia Technologies; and Bryn Mooser, Founder and CEO of Asteria and Co-Founder of Moonvalley.

In addition to the Innovation Hub, AFM has announced the initial line-up for "The AFM Sessions", presented by Wrapbook and IMDb Pro. Taking place from 12 to 15 November, the programme will feature more than 30 panels, workshops, and presentations with over 100 speakers, exploring topics ranging from financing and production strategies to the growing overlap between cinema and gaming.

Confirmed sessions include Finance I – From Packaging to Payback: Investment, Incentives & International Markets (12 November), with Ryan Broussard of Wrapbook, Jeaneane Davey of Callisto Advisory, Sam Pressman of Pressman Film, and Josh Rosenbaum of Waypoint Entertainment; and Finance II – How They Did It: Strategies That Brought Projects to Life (13 November), featuring Mark Fasano of Nickel City Pictures, Jeffrey Greenstein of A Higher Standard, Allison Hironaka of Caviar, and Laura Lewis of Rebelle Media. Other sessions will examine the evolving relationship between filmmaking and gaming, the mechanisms of today’s global independent sales market, the resurgence of modern horror, and the experiences of Latino creatives navigating Hollywood.

The programme will culminate in The AFM Pitch Conference on 15 November, where producers and executives including Cassian Elwes (Elevated Film Sales), Lee Jessup (Lee Jessup Career Coaching), and independent producer and consultant Loni Rodgers will evaluate live project pitches from emerging talent.

AFM 2025 will also feature LocationExpo, screenings, and sales activities, with more than 260 exhibitors and participants from over 70 countries already confirmed. Among the companies set to attend are A24, Beta Cinema, Charades, Film Factory Entertainment, Gaumont, Goodfellas, Lionsgate, NEON, Pathé, Studiocanal, The Match Factory, TrustNordisk, and Voltage Pictures.

Through this collaboration, AFM and the Marché du Film aim to reinforce their shared commitment to innovation and professional exchange, offering the independent sector new insights into how technology and artificial intelligence are redefining the global film and content ecosystem.