This 2024 was my first year at AFM, and this is what I want to share with you. This is the ultimate guide to navigating the American Film Market, the biggest film market in the United States that has been around for 50 years. This is the market where you find and close deals for American films.

This year was the first year in Las Vegas; apparently, it wasn’t very popular, and we don’t know if it will come back to this venue again in 2025; we’ll see, but a film market is a film market wherever you go, and today I want to spill the beans about my experience and it went during the 5 days I was there.

Here are the great insights I gained during the event. I hope this will help you get the most out of any film industry event, whether you’re attending the AFM for the first time or you’re a market veteran.

✅ Organize your meetings with time: Don’t wait until you are there to meet with people. The most influential people in the industry are already busy. Their schedules are super busy, and if you think you will meet them randomly at the market, this doesn’t happen.

✅ Hunt them until they give you that appointment: Prepare a Google Calendar or the calendar of your choice and start adding all your meetings there. Send them an invitation through your calendar and ask them for their telephone number. It’s chaotic once you are in the market, and you need to ensure they attend your meeting. I had all this, and some people didn’t show up anyway.  

✅ Plan ahead for registration: Arriving early to register and pick up your badge is essential. Scouting the venue beforehand helps you familiarize yourself with meeting spots and event locations.

✅ Don’t hesitate to ask for directions. We can all get disoriented sometimes. It’s always better to ask than to miss a key meeting.

✅ Make connections, not just deals: Introducing your contacts to others is one of the best ways to network and create lasting impressions. It can also facilitate collaborations in the long run and open doors to new partnerships.

✅ Find your own space: Sometimes, finding a table where people can come to you is more efficient than constantly moving around. It can save time and energy during a busy day.

❌ Stay humble and open to learning: No matter how knowledgeable you are, there’s always more to learn. Every interaction is an opportunity to gain insights, so don’t assume you know everything.

❌ Don’t underestimate the value of everyone you meet: Even if someone isn’t the perfect match for your film, they might be a valuable connection. Every meeting offers a chance to expand your network.

❌ Communicate if you can’t attend a meeting: If you’re unable to make it, give notice. No-shows without prior warning are frustrating and unprofessional.

❌ Be prepared for noise and disruptions: Networking spaces can sometimes be overwhelming, with loud music and crowded environments. Adaptability is key to staying focused.

❌ Avoid the elevator chaos: Busy events can lead to long elevator waits. Using the stairs when possible can save time and even give you a quick workout!

✅ Follow up after the market: Remind them about you, what you do, and if you have a film to sell, send the information.

I am sure there are other tips I am forgetting, but these are the essentials you need to know about this film market in particular.

BONUS: Americans know how to network, and they will approach you everywhere: in the elevator, the bathroom, the parties, and the events. I appreciated this as if I were alone at an event; I knew people would talk to me. This kind of takes the pressure off of you having to always be the one breaking the ice.

You can’t expect much from Europeans, especially Scandinavians, because even when they know you if they don’t feel like it, they won’t chat with you. These are some of the cultural exchanges I found interesting.

I hope this post helps you navigate the next AFM or any other market you attend. The rules are almost the same for each one.

If you attended or have any questions about AFM, feel free to contact me—I’d love to hear from you!