The American Film Market Has a New Leader After 25 Years

By providing your information, you agree to our Terms of Use and our Privacy Policy . We use vendors that may also process your information to help provide our services. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA Enterprise and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. IFTA, the Independent Film and Television Alliance that each year puts on AFM , or the American Film Market, has a new leader after 25 years. The trade association has named Jackie Brenneman, who was the former executive vice president and general counsel with the trade association for NATO (now Cinema United), as its next president and CEO. Jean Prewitt, who has led the organization and helped shepherd the annual film market, is stepping down at the end of January after 25 years leading the organization. Brenneman led NATO’s relief efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic, she helped formulate exhibitors’ response after the termination of the Paramount Consent Decrees, she introduced the “Save Our Screens” initiative, and she led the non-profit arm for NATO, The Cinema Foundation . Most recently, she was the CEO of Attend and the founding partner of The Fithian Group, which launched a theatrical marketplace that would help connect indie filmmakers directly with exhibitors and give them more distribution opportunities, something IndieWire wrote about in detail with last year’s “You, Me & Her.” “Jackie brings industry insight, legal and lobbying expertise, and a proven record of guiding complex membership organizations,” said Paul Bales, Chairperson, IFTA and Partner & COO, The Asylum. “Her deep appreciation of how business, public affairs, and creative communities intersect, and her experience navigating the fast pace of evolution in our industry and the challenges it presents, especially for independent companies, make her uniquely qualified to lead IFTA and AFM into their next chapter. We look forward to working closely with her.” “This is a pivotal moment for the independent film and television community, which has always been defined by risk-taking and innovation,” said Brenneman. “As the industry undergoes rapid transformation- through consolidation, new financing structures, and evolving models of production and distribution -independents are uniquely positioned to shape new paths forward and lead the next phase of change.” She continued: “Thanks to the strong foundation Jean has built, IFTA and AFM are entering this next chapter from a position of real strength. Having seen firsthand the power of collaboration across the independent sector, I’m excited to work with our members and with new partners across the global ecosystem to ensure that IFTA and AFM continue to evolve as the premier platforms where independent creativity, innovative business models, and meaningful dealmaking come together.” Prewitt has been IFTA’s president and CEO since 2000, and she’s helped make AFM a crucial part on the indie film sales calendar for people to buy and sell countless films for international audiences. The event has long been held in Los Angeles but in 2024 was briefly held in Las Vegas until buyers and sellers alike stated they preferred to see the market...

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