Due to the Covid 19 Pandemic, AFCI canceled all live events in 2020.
Originally slated for March 30th through April 3nd, 2020 and rescheduled for June 22nd through 26th, 2020, what follows below was the event’s agenda had it transpired.
We’d like to thank the support of our sponsors who remained committed to AFCI and the event as we adjusted the schedule and ultimately canceled the event.
AFCI is pleased to announce the dates of the Third Annual AFCI Week: June 22-26, 2020. This multi-day, exclusive event open to AFCI Members, Affiliates and sponsors includes networking opportunities with entertainment industry decision makers, educational opportunities targeted at enhancing business practices and prime opportunities for lead-generation
AFCI Week 2020 will again include the Physical Production Power Brunch, co-hosted with The Hollywood Reporter and a full day Meet the Execs program. For more information on the daily schedule, please see below.
AFCI Week 2020 will be based at the Sofitel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills, located at the intersection of La Cienega and Beverly Boulevards.
Sponsorship opportunities for this major event range from advertising in the AFCI Week program (distributed at all major events) to full week sponsorship which, at the highest level, includes a speaking opportunity at the Physical Production Power Brunch. If you are interested in sponsorship, please contact Marj Galas, SVP Membership & Industry Relations at marj.galas@afci.org. A full sponsorship deck is available here.
JUNE 22 - 26, 2020 | EVENTS SCHEDULE
Monday, June 22, 2020 – Professional Development Day 1
Venue: Sofitel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills, 8555 Beverly Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 9004
The first two days of AFCI Week 2020 is focused on professional development. Members are invited to roll up their sleeves and engage with other members and select industry experts who will be brought in to present on specific topics.
Over the two days there will also be a series of member-to-member presentations so members can learn from one another and gain deeper insight into how other territories are responding to critical issues. Topics for discussion include the surge in content and the need for workforce development/training and infrastructure (studios and alternate studio space). These are issues facing every territory.
Scheduling is subject to change without notice.
| MONDAY | SESSIONS |
| 9:00am – 9:30am | Check-in |
| 9:30am – 9:40am | Welcome |
| 9:40am – 10:40am | The Role of an Intimacy Coordinator
AFCI is proud to partner with leading Intimacy Coordinator, Amanda Blumenthal (EUPHORIA, PENNY DREADFUL: CITY OF ANGELS, SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS, HOW TO GET AWAY WITH MURDER) who will talk about the rise of the role of Intimacy Coordinator and its importance on set. Amanda has been involved in gender and sexual advocacy work since college, serving in leadership positions in groups including Advocates for Survivors of Sexual Assault and Sex Positive Los Angeles, and was a sex and relationship coach prior to becoming an intimacy coordinator. She is the founder of Intimacy Professionals Association (IPA). |
| 10:40am – 11:00am | Coffee break |
| 11:00am – 1:00pm | Gender and Sexuality Sensitivity Training by Amanda Blumenthal, Intimacy Coordinator
This deep-dive session will cover gender as a social construct, gender terminology (assigned, biological, identity, expression, attribution, congruence, dysphoria), pronouns, gender spectrum (Cis, transgender, nonbinary, gender non-conforming, gender fluid, two-spirited and other), an overview of legislation, sexual orientation (LGBTQIA+ spectrum) and more. Members attending this session will receive an AFCI University certificate for this training. |
| 1:00pm – 2:00pm | Lunch |
| 2:00pm – 2:20pm | Member-to-member presentation |
| 2:20pm – 2:40pm | Member-to-member presentation |
| 2:40pm – 3:50pm | Member-to-member presentation |
| 3:00pm – 3:20pm | Member-to-member presentation |
| 3:20pm – 3:30pm | Coffee break |
| 3:30pm – 5:00pm | AFCI presents: How Well Do You Know Your Territory?
Beyond locations and sound stage space availability, there are a host of topics commission staff need to be across when meeting with industry. Developed in conjunction with Warner Bros. Entertainment, this session will walk through these critical areas of knowledge in detail. Topics include infrastructure, incentives, crew depth, tax policy, banking and finance issues, Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and safety standards. |
Tuesday, June 23, 2020 – Professional Development Day 2 + Member General Assembly + Industry Reception
Venue: Sofitel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills, 8555 Beverly Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 9004
Tuesday marks the second day of the professional development program. It wraps mid-afternoon to allow for the Member General Assembly Meeting, after which there is a break to allow attendees to change in time for the Industry Cocktail Reception.
Scheduling is subject to change without notice.
| TUESDAY | SESSIONS |
| 9:00am-9:30am | Check-in |
| 9:30am – 10:10am | AFCI presents: Deliverables
Set visits? Production stills? Animated logo in the end credits? What are the acceptable asks from production in exchange for financial support? Developed in conjunction with industry, this session will walk through a list of deliverables film commissions can request during contracting noting the appropriate time to ask for each element. |
| 10:10am – 10:20am | Coffee break |
| 10.20am – 10.40am | Member-to-member presentation |
| 10:40am – 11:00am | Member-to-member presentation |
| 11:00am – 11:20am | Member-to-member presentation |
| 11:20am – 11:30am | Coffee break |
| 11:30am – 1:00pm | Social Impact Entertainment presented by PGA’s Social Impact Committee
|
| 1:00pm – 2:00pm | Lunch |
| 2:00pm – 3:00pm | The World of the Production Designer presented by the Art Directors Guild of America
Members of the Art Directors Guild (ADG) will present a panel focusing on the role of the Production Designer, how they build their team (Art Department, Construction, Set Dec etc), how they work with the director to realize his or her vision and how their input can impact location decisions. |
| 3:00pm- 3.15pm | Coffee break |
| 3:15pm – 5:00pm | AFCI Member General Assembly Meeting
The General Assembly Meeting is an opportunity for the membership body to meet new Board and AFCI staff members, connect with the broader AFCI Week team and be informed about organizational initiatives for the year ahead. Topics covered will include industry partnerships, membership expansion, up-and-coming research projects, AFCI presence at festivals and markets, Cineposium 2021, AFCI Awards and the new online Members-only Community. There will also be ample time for Q&A by the membership. |
| 6:30pm – 8:30pm |  Industry Cocktail Reception Presented by AFCI and Screen InternationalSofitel Hotel |
Wednesday, June 24, 2020 - Meet the Execs
Venue: SLS Hotel (465 S La Cienega Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90048)
Meet the Execs is an exclusive event open only to AFCI film commission members. During the day, a curated group of executives are invited to speak to members in a relaxed interview style environment, after which there is a Q&A. Executives discuss their career, the company’s projects, changes in the industry landscape, what resources they most value from a commission and also have the opportunity to share any up and coming project leads with the audience. Contact information is shared with the audience who then have the ability to connect with speakers after the event.
AFCI is pleased to confirm participants for AFCI Week 2020’s Meet the Execs schedule include, Rob Cowan (THE TOMORROW WAR, AQUAMAN, SAN ANDREAS, THE CONJURING) and senior executives from MRC, Participant Media and NBC Universal.
Senior Executives from the following companies have previously participated in this event:
Thursday, June 25, 2020 - Physical Production Power Brunch + Global Lounge
The 3rd Annual Physical Production Power Brunch
Venue: The Sofitel at Beverly Hills
An exclusive, invitation-only Brunch discriminately curated by AFCI and The Hollywood Reporter to honor senior physical production executives.
This event places members and sponsors alongside senior physical production executives from Studios, mini-majors, OTT companies and major production companies across both film and television. A seated affair designed to enable meaningful engagement and the creation of new relationships, the event kicks off with an hour pre-brunch networking.
AFCI’s Global Lounge
Industry – this is your chance to talk locations, incentives and infrastructure with Commissions and supporting organizations from around the globe.
Venue: this event is not open to the general public. If you are interested in attending please email AFCI at info@afci.org
Time: afternoon
This event is an exhibition and networking opportunity enabling Members, Affiliates and sponsors to promote their region or services directly to industry. AFCI is inviting executives from more than 1,500 companies to visit the Global Lounge.
The event is closed to the public, however AFCI Members and Affiliates are invited to send names to AFCI to be added to the door list. Similarly interested industry members may request access by emailing info@afci.org.
Friday, June 26, 2020 - Economic Impact Report Workshop + Industry Tour
After lunch, AFCI has arranged an exclusive and members-only private industry tour at a trending location in the Hollywood area. Buses will depart from the Sofitel Hotel at 2:30pm to transport attendees to the location for our 3:00pm tour. Buses will then return all attendees at 5:00pm at the conclusion of the tour.
AFCI Week Silver Sponsors:
Physical Production Power Brunch Sponsor:
Industry Reception Sponsor:
Meet the Execs Day Sponsor:
For further information or inquires, please contact Marjorie Galas | marj.galas@afci.org