American Film Market Dailies

IFTA announced new executive additions to its AFM team. Matthew Thompson and Catherine Girard-Cobb have been appointed to the newly created roles of Co-Managing Directors, AFM, reporting to President & CEO Jean Prewitt. They join long-time IFTA Vice Presidents Jennifer Garnick and Robin Burt to develop and support the overall vision, operations and production of the AFM.

Thompson, who brings 25 years of event management and production experience, will oversee the AFM Attendee segment and is responsible for Registration, Hotels, Transportation, Conference production, and the networking platform, MyAFM.  He previously served as an event director and consultant for clients, including Adweek, the Tribeca Film Festival, Nespresso, and the Skirball Cultural Center.            

Girard-Cobb, who will manage the AFM Exhibitor experience, including Registration, Film Screenings, and Furniture & Equipment, is a 20-year event veteran.  She has successfully managed large-scale trade shows and live and virtual events most of her career, most recently for London-based Clarion Events, Quartz North America, and Bobit Business Media’s 20 annual market-specific events.

Prewitt commented, “Matthew and Catherine bring a wealth of combined event experience in line with the AFM.  Their skills and insights complement our established and talented team and strengthen our ability to meet the changing needs of our industry as we look to our in-person return this year and the future.”

About the American Film Market® (AFM®)
The AFM is where the business of film comes to life every November. One of the world’s preeminent film events and the only independently produced international sales market, hundreds of production, sales and distribution companies and thousands of buyers and professionals from every segment of the industry, convene at AFM in Santa Monica for six days of discovery, development, deal making, networking, marketplace discussions and world-class conferences.  More than US$1 billion in finance, production and distribution deals are closed each year on completed films and projects in every stage of development and spanning every genre, budget and language.  The AFM is produced by the Independent Film & Television Alliance® (IFTA®) and serves as the annual fundraiser for the association.

About the Independent Film & Television Alliance® (IFTA®)
IFTA is the global trade association for independent film and television production, finance, distribution, and sales companies. The organization represents the independent sector before governments and international bodies and provides significant entertainment industry services to independent companies from 22 countries.