AFCI WEEK 2024 IN LOS ANGELES

Zuzana Bieliková from the Slovak Film Commission attended AFCI Week 2024, held from August 25 to 28 in Los Angeles. This prestigious international event brought together film commissioners, producers, location managers and other industry experts to foster new partnerships and showcase film locations.

A record number of 170 film commissioners from more than 30 regions of the world participated in this year's AFCI Week. The Slovak Film Commission was one of them.

The agenda covered key topics such as film incentives, sustainability, and the future of post-pandemic film production. Bieliková highlighted Slovakia’s competitive benefits, including a 33% cash rebate for foreign filmmakers, and aimed to attract new international projects.

The four-day event included discussions, presentations, and networking opportunities. The first day featured an opening ceremony and participant introductions, while subsequent days focused on discussions about global film industry trends, innovative technologies, and sustainable production practices. The event concluded with a series of networking sessions designed to establish strategic partnerships.

We would like to highlight a few interesting points on the programme: 

• Empowering Places - Led by Resonance President & CEO Chris Fair, this workshop provided film commissioners with an in-depth learning experience aimed at developing skills specifically related to highlighting their regions through developing campaigns and understanding the importance of place branding.
• Approaching the Production Incentive Application Process - This hands-on workshop provided an opportunity for producers to understand the application process required for production incentive consideration. Film commissioners learned what is needed from the producer’s perspective to ensure applications are submitted accurately and efficiently.
• Beyond Hollywood - Senior studio executives discussed the global production landscape.
• Demonstrating to Government the Positive Economic Impacts of Film Production - Leading studio executives, film commissioners and economists shared their views on the economic impact of the production industry and its effect on global territories, communities in general and film tourism.
• Expanding Your Infrastructure - Regional leaders and studio executives talked about the strategy film commissions and regions may consider when enhancing their infrastructure, including when and where to build sound stages and other important factors that will make the region competitive.
• Olsberg•SPI Deep Dive Case Study - Jonathan Olsberg, Executive Chair of Olsberg•SPI Limited, together with speakers from New Zealand and New Mexico, highlighted key insights and examples from case studies included in the forthcoming report, “Best Practices in Screen Sector Development”.

Through participation, the Slovak Film Commission not only promoted Slovakia as a interesting destination for film production but also sought new opportunities for international collaboration, positioning Slovakia as a growing spot in Central Europe’s film industry.

AFCI - Founded in 1975, the Association of Film Commissioners International  (AFCI) is the professional organization for film agency representatives worldwide. It brings together and represents more than 300 members of city, county, state, regional and national film agencies. Shortly after its founding in June 2018, the Slovak Film Agency (SFA) became a member of AFCI, which hosts the annual AFCI Week conference in Los Angeles.