The Marché du Film will host film commission representatives worldwide to discuss location selection and scouting for productions.
The Association of Film Commissioners International (AFCI) is set to make its debut at the Cannes Marché du Film, the Cannes film market, lineup with the inaugural Global Film Commission Network Summit.
Scheduled for May 19, the summit will centre on the pivotal role of film location selection and production strategies, in collaboration with research and consulting firm Olsberg Spi. The firm will present insights from its 2019 study, ‘Best Practice in Screen Sector Development’, updating attendees on industry trends and strategies.
Discussions at the summit will encompass various topics, including the significance of selecting locations for authentic storytelling, engagement with indigenous communities, and efforts to dismantle location stereotypes. Notable attendees will include film commissioners, policymakers, and senior-level executives from both studio and independent productions.
AFCI’s executive director, Jaclyn Philpott, emphasised the organisation’s increasing relevance in the global screen sector. “Our expanded presence at Cannes underscores AFCI’s important role in the global screen sector,” she stated.
Against the backdrop of reduced content spending by major studios, tax incentives provided by film commissions have become indispensable for productions. Governments worldwide are introducing tax credit programmes to stimulate local economies.
Guillaume Esmiol, executive director of Marché du Film, highlighted the growing importance of film locations in the industry. “As film commissions become increasingly crucial to getting productions off the ground, we look forward to supporting AFCI’s future ventures and encouraging this dialogue and growth at future market editions,” he remarked.
The 2024 Cannes Film Festival is scheduled to run from May 14 to May 25, with the film market taking place from May 14 to May 22. Additionally, the AFCI Week conference is slated for August 25-28 in Los Angeles, marking a continuation of industry dialogue and collaboration beyond Cannes.
