The American Film Market is adding a new front door this year. On Tuesday, November 10, AFM opens its 47th edition with the inaugural New Global Screen Economy Summit, a half-day program focused on how the business of film is being rebuilt, from where stories come from to how audiences find them.

The Summit anchors an expanded conference lineup of more than 45 sessions across three stages, including the new AFM House Stage, running November 10–15 at the Fairmont Century Plaza, AMC Century City 15, and The Pavilion in Los Angeles.

IFTA President and CEO Jackie Brenneman, whose organization produces AFM, described an industry in the middle of a “fundamental transformation,” with nearly every part of the business being reimagined.

What’s on the Summit stage

Brenneman opens the day with a keynote, followed by a second keynote from media analyst Evan Shapiro. Panels include:

• The New Federal Production Incentive (9:55am), with SP Media Group’s Steven Paul and Scott Karol and the MPA’s Josh Rogin, on what a federal incentive could mean for U.S. production.
• The New IP Value Chain (11:00am), with voices from UTA, Capstone Pictures, and Screen International on new paths from story to screen.
• The New Studio System (11:40am), featuring Jared Geesey, EVP of International at Angel Studios, alongside Popular Demand Studios’ Jon Leland and filmmaker Wesley Wang.
• Where the New Hits Begin (1:00pm), on discovery and audience-building in the creator era, with Tyler Chou, Spotter’s Aaron DeBevoise, and others.

Summit access requires a separate ticket, and capacity is limited.

Beyond opening day

The AFM Sessions run November 11–14, with highlights including two finance panels, one-on-one conversations with Artists Equity’s Amy Baer and AGC Studios’ Stuart Ford, and a Friday the 13th panel on why horror endures.

The new AFM House will host the expanded Innovation Hub with Marché du Film’s Cannes Next, the North American debut of the Cinemas Club, and sessions on box office and windows, faith and alternative content, and practical uses of AI in the screen business. AFM House programming is open to all badge holders.

More speakers will be announced in the coming weeks. Details are at americanfilmmarket.com.

Indie Entertainment Magazine will be on the ground at AFM 2026. Watch for our coverage from Century City.