What I Learned at American Film Market Las Vegas!

Attending the American Film Market (AFM) in Las Vegas offered me eye-opening insights into the filmmaking industry. One major takeaway was that most filmmakers are not inherently business-minded. They excel at crafting emotional arcs and delivering compelling stories but often lack the foresight and planning needed to ensure their projects translate into commercial successes for investors.

Conversely, I noticed that salespeople and distributors, while analytical and skilled at monetizing films, struggle with the creative aspects. They often fail to grasp the emotional resonance that makes a story engaging for audiences. This disconnect between the creative and commercial sides of filmmaking is a fundamental challenge in the industry.

However, when a production company or distributor masters both aspects, the results can be extraordinary. A standout example is Terrifier 3, produced, marketed, and distributed entirely by Cineverse. By leveraging their in-house resources—such as their loyal fanbase and marketing platform Shudder—they turned a $2 million budget into a staggering $85 million at the box office. This success illustrates the power of aligning creative storytelling with smart business strategies.

The evolving independent film landscape highlights the importance of strategic planning. Filmmakers who can anticipate their audience's preferences and maximize their resources ahead of time stand to benefit the most. The key lies in blending creativity with commercial acumen: building a film that resonates emotionally while ensuring its marketability.

At AFM, I learned that today’s independent filmmakers must adapt to this new paradigm. Success isn’t just about making a good film—it’s about being strategic, resourceful, and thinking like both an artist and a businessperson. By doing so, they can achieve both creative satisfaction and financial triumph.

Chris Sturges, Business Development Director for

Suspiciously Convenient Productions Inc

Contact: chris@suspiciouslyconvenient.com

Tags: #IndependentFilm #AmericanFilmMarket #IndieFilmSuccess #Terrifier3 #IndieFilmmakers #Cineverse #Shudder #FilmProduction #IndieFilmLife