AFCI Week, March 27 - 30, 2023
This year we offered a live stream option for the members that could not travel to Los Angeles.
Location
AFCI is pleased to return to the Sofitel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills for the second consecutive year. The Sofitel is located at the corner of La Cienega and Beverly Boulevards and will be the prime site for the AFCI Week program. A room block extending from March 25 through April 2, 2022 has been established for all AFCI members.
Booking details
The Sofitel's Room Block is now full! The discount rate is being available pending availability. A discount is availabe to AFCI members at the nearby Elan Hotel - situated one block away from the Sofitel! Rooms are $219.00 plus tax a night from 3/26-4/1. Click here to book. Please email the Sofitel reservation specialist directly to book: H0937-GroupReservations@sofitel.com
Sponsorship opportunities
Please contact Marj Galas: marj.galas@afci.org for booking details.
Location
AFCI returned to the Sofitel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills for the second consecutive year. The Sofitel, located at the corner of La Cienega and Beverly Boulevards, was the prime site for the AFCI Week program.
EVENT SCHEDULE
DAY One
Professional Development Day
11.00am - 12.00pm
Registration Opens
**This day will be live streamed from 1pm to 5.30pm with interaction available through Slido.com
11.30am - 12.55pm
Lunch hosted by Amazon Studios & Networking
1.00pm - 1.20pm
Open and Welcome
1.20pm - 1.40pm
Skills Training and Expanding the Industry with Adele Wilson, Streetlights, plus Streetlight Graduates Charles Keyes and Lexie Maldonado
1.45pm - 2.30pm
How Would You Handle It
Led by AFCI Board Members
2.30pm - 3.20pm
Establishing Workforce Initiatives: Case Studies of Successful Programs
Panelists include: Steven Davenport (Screen Ireland), Yoni Bokser (Executive Director/Vice President, Governor’s Office of Motion Picture and Television Development / New Media at Empire State Development), Tara Halloran (NBCUniversal)
Moderator: Jennifer Loren (Cherokee Nation Film Office)
3.20pm - 3.40pm
20 Minute Break and Light Refreshments
3.40pm - 4.30pm
Navigating Government Relationships
Panelists include: Veronica Sullivan (NBCUniversal), Michael Walbrecht (Warner Brothers) ,Donne Dawson (Hawai'i Film Office)
Moderator: Jeremy Kay (Screen Daily)
4.35pm - 5.30pm
Members Meeting and Presentation
5.30pm - 6.30pm
Free Time
6.30pm - 8.30pm
Evening Reception sponsored by Entertainment Partners
in the Garden Patio & Restaurant
Monday, March 27, 2023
Professional Development Day
The first day of AFCI Week focused on Professional Development. The day provided an intensive focus on topics affecting all AFCI members. Lunch was included in this day.
Interaction throughout this day was offered through Slido.com using the #afci23
Industry Networking Reception
The Industry Networking Reception provided an opportunity for AFCI members to meet and mingle with invited members of the production industry. Guests enjoyed appetizers and an open beer/wine bar in a beautiful outdoor setting
Lunch Sponsored By:
Monday Industry Networking Reception Sponsored By:
DAY TWO
8.00am
Registration Opens
9.00am - 9.45am
Case Study - "The Last Of Us"
Panelists include: Luke Azevedo (Calgary Film Commission), Jay Roewe (HBO/HBOMax/WBD) and Katie Hayes (HBO/HBOMax/WBD)
Moderator: Jeremy Kay (Screen Daily)
9.50am - 10.35am
The Future of Streaming: Predictions and Possibilities
Panelists: Carol Trussell (Apple), Tim Clawson (Amazon Studios) , Jason Hariton (The MBS Group)
Moderator: Eric Mika (The Film Verdict)
10.35am - 11.00am
30 Minute Break
11.00am - 11.50am
Sustainability Update: A Current Production Report Card
Panelists include: Simon Hawkins (Virgin Atlantic/Delta Airlines), Heidi Kindberg (Warner Bros. Discovery/HBO and HBOMax), Susan Sanchez (Amazon Studios)
Moderator: Marnie Gee (Creative BC)
11.50am - 12.50pm
Virtual Productions: What's Happening and What You Need to Know
Panelists include: Adrian Offard (Video Screen Services, Ltd.), Jeffrey Soderberg (The MBS Group) and Christina Sours, Virtual Production Producer
Moderator: Cynthia Littleton (Variety)
1.00pm - 2.00pm
Lunch Provided
Sponsored by Monarch Private Capital
2.00pm - 3.00pm
Pros and Cons of Incentives
Panelists include: Jaren Vine (Media Rights Capital), Stephen Wolf (Annapurna), Leonidas Oxby (ITV America)
Moderator: Joseph Chianese (Entertainment Partners)
3.00pm - 3.15pm
Short Break
3.15pm - 4.00pm
Leveraging Data and AI
Panelists include: Mark Hoebich (Luminate Data), Kate Edwards (SetJetters) and Anish Deogaonkar (Usheru)
Moderator: Leon Forde (Olsberg SPI)
4.00PM - 6.30pm
Free Time
Members Lounge open.
No official evening program or meal provided
TUESDAY, March 28, 2023
An Executive’s View & Member Lounge
The day was a mix of panels with executives, Q & As and sufficient time in between to mingle in the Members Lounge. Contact information for all speakers was shared with the attendees.
Lunch Sponsored By:
DAY THREE
8.30am - 9.30am
Physical Production Power Brunch /networking Hour - Second Floor
9.30am
Seated Breakfast Begins
9.45am - 11.15am
Physical Production Power Brunch with The Hollywood Reporter
Physical Production Panel
Panelists: Janet Graham Borba (HBO and HBOMax), Herb Gains (Legendary Entertainment) and Marcy Kaplan, Physical Production Principal (MGM Studios)
Moderator: Nekesa Mumbi Moody (The Hollywood Reporter)
11.15am - 1.00pm
Free time for lunch and meetings
(no meal provided)
1.00pm - 1.45pm
Unique Initiatives in Diversity and Inclusion
Panelist include: Larry Laboe (NewFilmmakers LA), Damien Navarro (Outfest), Jacqueline Rainers Sitai (Kwazulu Natal-Film Commission)
Moderator: Rashid Bahati (Noir 360)
1.45pm - 2.05pm
Half hour break and connections in Member Lounge
2.05pm - 2.50pm
Partnering and Collaborating to Attract Production
Panelists include: David Michael Gonzales (AICP), Wendy Noss (MPA), Mary Ann Hughes (The Walt Disney Company)
Moderator: Eric Mika (The Film Verdict)
2.40pm - 3.10pm
Half hour break and connections in Member Lounge
3.10pm - 3.45pm
A Location Manager Approach
Panelists include:
John Rakich (LMGI), Alison Taylor (LMGI) and Roger Fath (LMGI)
Moderator: Marjorie Galas (AFCI)
3.45pm - 6.30pm
Free Time - Member Lounge open and available for networking and meetings
6.30pm - 8.30pm
Evening Reception hosted by Amazon
Garden Patio
WEDNESDAY, March 29, 2023
Physical Production Power Brunch
Presented in partnership with The Hollywood Reporter, this event placed 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 began with an hour of networking prior to a formal, sit-down breakfast and panel moderated by The Hollywood Reporter Senior Editor, Nekesa Mumbi Moody.
Members Lounge
Throughout the afternoon, we encouraged members to enjoy meeting with members of the industry in the Members Lounge. The Members Lounge, located on the second floor of the Sofitel, was opened until 6:30pm.
Physical Production Power Brunch Sponsored By:
Networking Reception Sponsored By:
DAY FOUR
9:30am - 12:45pm
Morning Visit to Orbital Virtual Production Studio
1.00pm
Depart Orbital Virtual Production Studio
2:00pm - 4:00pm
Reception at secret location to launch Cineposium 2023
Meet with Studio Executives and Cineposium region representatives
4.15pm
Bus to take attendees back to Sofitel AFCI Week Program Ends
THURSDAY, March 30, 2023
Tour Day and Cineposium Launch
Members enjoyed a fun opportunity to connect with each other as they were transported to Orbital Virtual Production Studio in downtown LA. They also enjoyed a launch presented by Cineposium 2023 host Film in Limerick at the historic Tom Bergin’s Pub off Miracle Mile.
AFCI Week Supporter
The registration cost of AFCI Week includes
- Participation in all AFCI Week activities
- Admissions into any special activities included during the week
- Breakfast and Lunch provided Day One, Lunch provided Day Two, Brunch provided Day Three
- Coffee, water and tea daily
- Disposable masks and hand sanitizer daily
*AFCI is not responsible for participant's airfare or hotel bookings. AFCI recommends participants book flights and hotel rooms directly through the vendors as vendors, over third-party discount sites, are more apt to provide refunds/reimbursements if a cancelation should occur.