Alongside the sales and licensing activity, LocationExpo and Screenings, The AFM Sessions presented by Wrapbook & Film Hawaii, will present 100 leaders, experts and influencers on 30 panels and presentations across two stages. A key attraction of this year’s Sessions, “The Innovators” will welcome two of the independent industry’s most prominent figures, Stuart Ford, Chairman & CEO, AGC Studios, and Sébastien Raybaud, Founder & CEO, Anton, to the stage Thursday morning, November 7 for engaging, one-on-one interviews with Jeremy Kay of Screen International and Scott Roxborough of The Hollywood Reporter, respectively.

Other Session highlights Include: (See the full schedule of AFM Sessions).

November 6:

From Local to Global: Developing Stories & Content for Worldwide Appeal – Main Stage

• Matt Brodlie, Upgrade Productions
• Katie Irwin, WME Independent
• Matt Mueller, Screen International
• Peter Van Steemburg, XYZ Films

Finding Gold: Discovering Captivating Narratives and Essential Story Ideas for Your Next Project – Main Stage

• Miranda Bailey, Cold Iron Pictures
• Karin Chien, dGenerate Films, Art & Action Productions
• Phil Goldfine, Producer
• Michele Kanan, Producer, Writer and Director
• Michael Musante, Cherokee Film

Producing and Financing Films for Social Impact – Main Stage

• Mary Aloe, Aloe Entertainment / Partners in Kind
• Josh Harris, Peachtree Media
• Jonathon Glucksman, Wondermind
• Robert Rippberger, SIE Society 
• Jarnell Stokes, Stoked Bros. Media

Working with SAG-AFTRA as an Independent – View Stage

• Olga Rodriguez-Aguirre, SAG-AFTRA

November 7

Finance I - Independent Film Financing in Today’s Financial Landscape – Main Stage

• Jill Goldsmith, Deadline
• Jon Gosier, Film Hedge
• George Hamilton, Protagonist Pictures
• Paula Paizes, Pressman Films
• Miguel Palos, AGC Studio

Confronting Fear – Transcending, Challenging & Elevating the Horror Genre – Main Stage

• Gregory Chambet, WTFILMS
• Emily Gotto, Shudder
• Tom Malloy, Glass House Distribution
• Bob Portal, AMP
• Priscilla Ross Smith, The Coven

November 8

Finance II: How to Choose a Location to Maximize Your Budget – Main Stage

• Ryan Broussard, Wrapbook
• Jeffery Greenstein, A Higher Standard
• Andi Isaacs, University of Nevada-Las Vegas, Formerly Summit Entertainment
• Simon Williams, Palisades Park Pictures

Black Culture at the Epicenter of Hollywood – View Stage

• Kyle Bowser, NAACP Hollywood Bureau

Casting for Low-Budget Films – View Stage

• Monica Kelly, CSA, Treadwell / Kelly Casting
• Jennifer K.M. Treadwell, CSA, Treadwell / Kelly Casting

The Untold Realities of Global Film Sales: What’s Really Shaping Today’s Market?

• Clay Epstein, Film Mode Entertainment
• Tiffany Boyle, Ramo Law PC
• Mimi Steinbauer, Radiant Films International
• Brian O’Shea, The Exchange

November 9

AFM Pitch Conference: Mastering the Art of Pitching & Live Pitches – Main Stage

• Cassian Elwes, Elevated
• Lee Jessup, leejessup.com
• Lorelle Lynch, AGC Studios

Killing It at the Box Office: How Cineverse’s Horror Sensation Won Opening Weekend – Main Stage

• Chris McGurk, Cineverse
• Lauren McCarthy, Cineverse
• Thomas K Arnold, Media Play News

Maximizing Impact: Crafting Powerful Films with Limited Budgets – Main Stage

• Paul Bales, The Asylum
• Jeff Deverett, Producer
• Efuru Flowers, Flourishing Films
• Chris Gore, Film Threat
• Max Woertendyke, Noble Gas Media