Since 1975, the Association of Film Commissions International (AFCI) has hosted the premier international film event for producers looking to shoot internationally, inviting Film Commissioners and Production Service companies from around the world to Hollywood where they meet with American producers, location managers, and studio executives to introduce them to their diverse locations, available infrastructure, and various tax incentives.

2015 kicked off with a bang at the Hyatt Century Plaza in Century City as film commissioners touted their regions and producers sought out the best locations to meet their creative and budgetary requirements.

Many old friends from the international production community visit at this time, and the week is filled with informal gatherings before and after the event where it’s not uncommon to find a group at a local restaurant where there’s 4 languages being spoken at once, and twice as many nationalities represented. One particular memorable event followed a consulate reception at CAA where a dozen participants walked across the street to Hinoki and the Bird where I joined representatives from France, Iceland, Montana, Norway, the UK, Utah, and Wyoming for some late night dinner and drinks.

This is a must visit event for any young filmmaker looking to film internationally as the face to face relationships and time speaking with various film commissions could mean landing the job or not should your next script include an unfamiliar location that you now have an edge on first hand knowledge of resources available where the scripted area or in similar regions that could be cheated that offer more production value.

If you didn’t make it this year, be sure to mark your calendars for next year!

www.afcilocationsshow.com