AFM opened November 4  with more than 80 new buying companies confirmed to be participating at this year’s 36th edition between 4th – 11thNovember. This year sees the largest growth coming from South Korea, China, and India, with nearly 1,600 buyers are expected from more than 70 countries.

AFM also announced updated screening numbers, with a total of 407 films screening in more than 30 languages including 87 world premieres and 242 market premieres. Hundreds of projects will also be unveiled for pre-sales by the 391 exhibiting companies from 38 countries.

GFM BLAZING SAMURAI PRESENTATION WITH MEL BROOKS AND MEL B (THE SPICE OF GIRLS):

Key quotes below from the presentation:

Michael Ryan, GFM, Chairman:

-          “This is a team we might have only really found if we were a big studio. Today a movie can make over a billion dollars - we have a movie to compete with studio movies and we're doing it in the context of an independent film”.

‎Rob Minkoff, Producer:

-          “The biggest lesson I've learnt about animation is; you can start too early. When I read the script and found myself laughing outloud I started to realise just how good this project could be”.

-          “After the shoot I said to Mel: 'Mel do you have any advice for me? He said: stick to animation”

Mel Brooks, Voice of Shogun:

-          “I think this movie is going to do really well. Not only because I'm currently in Hotel Transylvania 2 - which is currently making half a BILLION. I'm pretty good at this animation stuff. It's pretty smart. It's clever and its really funny. I am really not afraid to be part of it”.

-          “If anyone here has any money, I think this would be a reasonable investment”.Photo credit: AP Invision/ John Salangsang