American Film Market (AFM) 2009

American Film Market (AFM) 2009 - Santa Monica, California - November 4 -11, 2009

Are you interested in participating at the American Film Market (AFM)(www.americanfilmmarket.com)?  Well, if so, the Kenya Film Commission in partnership with the U.S. Commercial Service of the U.S. Embassy are organizing an official film industry delegation to represent Kenya at this premier global market film industry event to be held November 4-11, 2009 in Santa Monica, California.

The American Film Market (AFM) (www.americanfilmmarket.com1), an U.S. Department of Commerce certified event that is produced by the Independent Film and Television Alliance (IFTA) (www.ifta-online.org2) brings together over 8000 industry leaders who converge in Santa Monica, California for 8 days of deal-making, screenings, seminars, red carpet premieres, networking and parties.

Participants come from over 70 countries and include acquisition and development executives, agents, attorneys, directors, distributors, festival directors, financiers, film commissioners, producers, writers, the world's press and all those who provide services to the motion picture industry.  The AFM is the must-attend industry event at which in just 8 days more than $800 million in production and distribution deals are sealed - on both completed films and those that have not started shooting yet.  The 2009 AFM will take place at the Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel and the Le Merigot Beach Hotel.

Participation Costs:

Total participation costs for a maximum 10 nights stay at the 3-star Radisson Hotel at Los Angeles Airport (www.radisson.com/losangelesca_airport3) on bed and breakfast basis, a return economy class ticket on British Airways, daily ground/shuttle transportation between the hotel and the event venue, inclusive of subsidized event registration fee of $495 and administrative-related costs is $4600. 

The table below provides an itemized breakdown of costs and variable stay options for those interested in shorter stays.  Please note that the minimum stay is 5 nights at a total cost of $3306.  The only condition associated with shorter stays is that one must depart with the group on Sunday, November 1, 2009 to meet British Airways' group travel conditions.

NB:  Costs inclusive of State taxes (14.1%) and hotel agent commission (8%) where applicable.

Please note that airline group travel conditions require that 10 or more passengers all travel on the outbound leg (out of Nairobi) together but the inbound (return) leg is flexible, thus allowing for those interested in touring or visiting friends or family in the States to do so. Moreover, we do not have any restrictions on delegates who want to travel with a spouse or child/ren since U.S. hotels usually allow for 2 people to share a room for the price of one.  If you are interested in travelling with a spouse or child on room share-basis please let us know and we will be pleased to provide you with a quote.

Once you decide to participate, please also revert to as well with your travel itinerary to enable us convey the same to the airline so that they can determine what your port of exit from the States will be, based on the same.  BA flies to several cities in the States and therefore, if at the end of your travels in the States you are in a city that BA flies directly into from London Heathrow, then BA will try and connect your return from that city. 

Important Timelines:

August 21, 2009:  Close of pre-registration and $1600 deposit deadline.  If interested in participating, kindly complete NOW the below pre-registration form. 

August 27:   Visa interview deadline.  If you require a visa, you will need to have taken your visa interview before this date. Once you pre-register and pay your deposit, we will arrange for an expedited visa interview appointment for those who require an U.S. visa.

October 2: Outstanding payment deadline for all registered participants with valid U.S. visas

November 1:  Group departure from Nairobi

NB:  After August 21, 2009 we will not be able to accommodate registrations to enable the group meet the vendors' deadlines for deposit payments and thus secure airline and hotel reservations.  Please note that the Commercial Section CANNOT guarantee visa issuance. 

Point of Contact:

Humphrey Lilech
Senior Commercial Specialist, U.S. Commercial Service
U.S. Embassy Nairobi
Tel: +254 (20) 363-6438; fax: +254 (20) 363-6722
Cell: +254 (727) 531-362
Email: Humphrey.Lilech@N0SPAM.mail.doc.gov
Web: http://www.BuyUSA.gov/eastafrica
U.S. Commercial Service Kenya