AFCI WEEK in Los Angeles, August 25-28, Opens Attendance to Production Industry Professionals and Policymakers; MPA Chair and CEO Charles Rivkin to Deliver Keynote Address
Los Angeles – July 10, 2024 – The Association of Film Commissioners International (AFCI) today announced a significant expansion for its annual AFCI Week 2024 conference in Los Angeles, which will take place August 25-28 at UCLA’s Meyer & Renee Luskin Conference Center. For the first time, AFCI Week 2024 will welcome all screen sector professionals to attend — from studio executives and independent producers to location managers and government policymakers.
AFCI Week 2024 is the leading global conference for film commission professionals. The four-day series of events unites diverse voices to address film commission trends, technologies, policies and best practices. Since it replaced the long-running AFCI Locations Show in 2018, the AFCI Week event has evolved into the only global conference focused on film commissioners and their vital yet unsung role in supporting economic development and job creation. In the past, attendance at AFCI Week was reserved exclusively for AFCI members. This year’s conference marks a major milestone as it opens its doors to decision-makers from across the industry.
“The purpose of AFCI Week is to facilitate connections between our film commission members and the executives who decide where film and TV projects are produced,” said AFCI Executive Director Jaclyn Philpott. “Expanding attendance this year means that those with decision-making power will not only participate as speakers but also engage as attendees, enhancing opportunities for dialogue and collaboration.”
Philpott explained that expanding AFCI Week 2024 attendance aligns with AFCI’s strategic plan to broaden its membership across the industry via tiers for major and independent studio executives, producers, vendors and other industry professionals with the aim of bringing the industry closer to the global film commission network.
The conference will kick off with a keynote address by Charles Rivkin, Chairman and CEO of the Motion Picture Association (MPA) and a champion for the industry’s economic and cultural influence.
“AFCI Week brings filmmakers, policy practitioners, and other key stakeholders together to navigate the state of the industry today, map out the potential for production tomorrow, and chart a course for our creative community long into the future,” Rivkin said. “The MPA is in the business of opening markets to the producers, actors, writers, casts, and crews who bring the magic of film and television to life – and AFCI presents an ideal setting to showcase how this industry’s inspiring content will continue to stand at the intersection of cultural resonance and economic impact.”
AFCI Week 2024 promises a dynamic blend of sessions and events, open to all attendees, with exclusive offerings for film commissioners.
Highlights include:
- Engaging panels and educational workshops on trending topics like AI, technology and the use of locations, tax incentives, infrastructure development, economic impact measurement/reporting, film tourism, and location marketing.
- Insightful case studies from both major and emerging production locales.
- Vibrant networking receptions.
- AFCI’s inaugural Film Industry Challenge workshop, where global film commissioners and industry professionals will tackle current disruption scenarios, including AI, technology, location usage, workforce development, and community/government collaboration. Data gathered during this activity will shape AFCI’s future strategy and lead to the release of its first Insights Report in the months following the event.
AFCI Week 2024 speakers represent industry-leading entities such as The Walt Disney Company, Annapurna, Warner Bros. Discovery, Sony Pictures Television, Amazon, Blumhouse, Paramount Studios, Fox, Lionsgate Studios, AICP, IFTA, Entertainment Partners and Olsberg-SPI with many more to be released.
“Our new, more inclusive approach to AFCI Week presents a unique opportunity for global film commissioners and industry decision-makers to collaborate,” added Philpott. “We are stronger together, and in this era of significant change within the industry, we have a chance to innovate by harnessing the collective diversity of our global network”
AFCI Week would like to thank lead partners Texas Film Commissions and Cinespace Studios for their support in bringing this vision to life.
Registration for non-member industry professionals closes on August 19th, with packages including single and two-day passes. More information about AFCI Week is available on the website.
About the Association of Film Commissioners International (AFCI)
Founded in 1975, the Association of Film Commissioners International (AFCI) is a nonprofit professional organization representing city, state, regional, provincial and national film commission members on six continents. AFCI provides advocacy, connectivity and education to foster screen sector economic growth in an inclusive and sustainable manner. Signature events such as AFCI Week and Cineposium draw industry professionals from around the world. AFCI is headquartered in Los Angeles.
