Global Film Industry Converges at American Film Market 2025
The international film community witnessed a significant gathering as the American Film Market (AFM) 2025 concluded its 46th edition on November 16, 2025, with remarkable participation from across the globe. This year's event marked a pivotal return to Los Angeles, establishing its new home at the prestigious Fairmont Century Plaza Hotel in Century City.
Industry reports confirmed that over six thousand representatives from the independent film sector across 83 countries participated in the market. Nigeria maintained its presence through NILE Entertainment, joining the global conversation about film distribution and production.
Record-Breaking Exhibition and Buyer Participation
The exhibition space at the Fairmont completely sold out, featuring 285 registered companies from 35 different nations. Following the United States, the United Kingdom demonstrated the strongest international presence with 124 companies, while France contributed 20 exhibitors. Other significant representation came from Italy and Thailand, each with 17 companies, and Germany with 11 exhibitors.
Buyer attendance showed impressive growth with 500 buying companies from 61 countries registered. Particularly noteworthy was the 17 percent increase in U.S. buyer representation compared to previous years. Overall attendance figures surged beyond the 5,522 participants recorded during last year's Las Vegas edition.
Innovation and Recognition at AFM 2025
This year's market introduced several new initiatives, including the Innovation Hub, developed in partnership with Marché du Film / Cannes Next. This forward-thinking platform featured nine innovative companies and hosted AFM's inaugural series of artificial intelligence-focused sessions.
The AFM Sessions, presented by Wrapbook and IMDbPro, delivered a record-breaking 35 sessions across two stages, featuring insights from 135 industry experts. The AFM Pitch conference on November 15 saw 150 video submissions, with 20 finalists selected to present their projects live. Australian director Paul Andersen earned top honors for his family comedy feature Disconnect, written by Joey Day Hargrove.
Nigerian Film Festivals Prepare for Landmark Events
Kingdom Film Festival Lagos: Empowering African Creators
Meanwhile, Nigeria's film community prepares for the 2025 Kingdom Film Festival, scheduled for November 27-28 at EbonyLife Cinemas on Victoria Island, Lagos. This year's theme, "Creators Universe: Designing the Future with Films & Technology," aims to transform African creators from consumers to producers of innovative content.
Festival convener Ewomaoghene Luther-Abegunde revealed that highlights will include expert talks, masterclasses, technical workshops, screenings, and networking opportunities. The event will feature prominent speakers including Paul Sirmons, Femi Odugbemi, Chude Jideonwo, DDK, Dr Adeoye Abodunrin, and Aboki Prince Daniel.
Chude Jideonwo will present on "Harnessing Creative Potential for Wealth Creation and Building a Thriving Ecosystem," drawing from his extensive media and storytelling experience. The festival continues its tradition of hosting Africa's most influential creative voices, building on previous participation from industry leaders like Mike Bamiloye, Dr. Shaibu Husseini, and Dr. Aisha Adamu-Augie.
Zuma International Film Festival Abuja: Celebrating African Narratives
Abuja will host the 2025 Zuma International Film Festival from December 1, screening over 500 films selected from more than 3,156 submissions received from Nigeria, India, France, China, Egypt, and the United States. The selection encompasses features, shorts, animations, music videos, and indigenous-language content.
Organized by the Nigerian Film Corporation (NFC) and promoted as a global creative symbol, this year's festival theme emphasizes "Storytelling for Global Influence: Film as a Soft Power and Economic Force." The theme highlights film's crucial role in shaping cultural perceptions and building sustainable creative economies.
NFC Managing Director and Chief Executive Ali Nuhu emphasized during a recent Abuja press conference that Zuma Festival consistently aims to amplify Nigeria's creative voice. He noted that the festival reminds participants of film's deeper purpose beyond entertainment—to preserve memory, history, and project national identity through creative storytelling and international collaboration.
The NFC acknowledged support from the Federal Capital Territory Administration under Minister Nyesom Wike and Minister of State Dr. Mariya Mahmoud for maintaining Abuja as Zuma's home. Nuhu extended invitations to filmmakers, investors, sponsors, and creative partners to collaborate in making Zuma 2025 a landmark event for the African film industry.
