FEB 27-28, 2026 • ATLANTA
SECURE YOUR TICKET TO
THE AFA SUMMIT
Where filmmakers connect with funders, producers & distributors in real deal conversations — not panels.
February 27-28, 2026 • Atlanta, Georgia
This summit exists because the film industry is changing — and the old way is no longer sustainable.
THE REALITY
THE OLD SYSTEM
IS COLLAPSING.
DOWN 40%
Hollywood volume
$10B LOSS
Streaming sector
ACQUIRING
Studios pivot
ROI GAP
Traditional failure
WHAT IS AFA?
A COMMUNITY FOR
SERIOUS FILMMAKERS.
The American Film Association exists to remove the gatekeeping between filmmakers, capital, and distribution. We put the right people in the same room and teach how the business actually works.
This isn't education for education's sake. It's access, literacy, and execution.
Our members learn how films are really financed, packaged, and sold. They connect with attorneys, distributors, producers, and other industry professionals who are actively working in the field.
No Pitchfests
Real relationships, not pay-to-pitch circus
Real Operators
Speakers who've actually closed deals
Ongoing Access
Year-round community, not just an event
WHO'S TEACHING
THE INDUSTRY
VISIONARIES.
AUSTIN SPICER
PRESIDENT, AFA
President of the American Film Association and a producer focused on building sustainable, asset-backed financing models for independent film.
HAILEY SPICER
CO-FOUNDER, DREAMLAND STUDIOS
Co-founder of the Dreamland Studios Film Fund and a leader focused on building sustainable, asset-backed financing models for independent film.
JOSEPH LANIUS
ENTERTAINMENT ATTORNEY
Entertainment attorney and executive producer specializing in film finance, packaging, and distribution strategy.
JON HUERTAS
ACTOR, DIRECTOR & PRODUCER
Actor, director, and producer with experience across studio and independent film and television.
EMILY BEST
FOUNDER & CEO, SEED&SPARK
Founder and CEO of Seed&Spark, the leading crowdfunding and audience-building platform for independent film.
RASHIDI HENDRIX
FILM PRODUCER
Film producer focused on packaging projects and bringing together talent, financing, and distribution to move films forward.
HARMON KASLOW
DISTRIBUTION EXECUTIVE
Independent film executive with extensive experience in film distribution, acquisitions, and theatrical strategy.
MATTHEW LAUNDER
AI & FILM EXECUTIVE
Film executive focused on AI utilization in the entertainment industry.
MICAH GROENEVELT
FILMMAKER & CREATIVE EXECUTIVE
Filmmaker and creative executive working at the intersection of storytelling, production, and modern media strategy.
ALEXIS GARCIA
FILM PRODUCER
Film producer specializing in international sales and packaging strategies for independent cinema.
ERIK GORDON
FILM FINANCE EXECUTIVE
Gordon focuses on demystifying film finance and connecting filmmakers with capital. The company operates as a private credit platform.
ALAIA LANIUS
PRODUCER & CREATIVE EXECUTIVE
Producer and creative executive focused on purpose-driven storytelling and building sustainable creative ecosystems for women in film.
THE SCHEDULE
WHAT YOU'LL
LEARN & DO.
DAY 1 — WORKSHOP DAY (FEB 27)
ROOM A
9:30 - 10:30 AM
PACKAGING THE SCRIPT
RASHIDI HENDRIX
Learn how to position your screenplay for investors, talent, and buyers by packaging it strategically from day one.
ROOM B
9:30 - 10:30 AM
PURPOSE-DRIVEN STORYTELLING: FINANCING, IMPACT & INNOVATION FOR WOMEN IN FILM
ALAIA LANIUS
Explore how to develop culturally meaningful stories that attract aligned partners while balancing social impact with commercial viability.
ROOM A
10:45 - 11:45 AM
CHAIN OF TITLE & LEGAL INFRASTRUCTURE
JOSEPH LANIUS
Understand the legal foundation every film must have before raising capital or entering distribution.
ROOM B
10:45 - 11:45 AM
AUDIENCE AS CAPITAL: BUILDING PROOF OF DEMAND
EMILY BEST
Discover how building an engaged audience can unlock financing, partnerships, and distribution leverage.
ROOM A
12:00 - 1:00 PM
AI, EFFICIENCY & THE 10X FILMMAKER
MATTHEW LAUNDER
Learn how AI and smart systems can dramatically increase productivity while lowering costs across development and production.
ROOM B
12:00 - 1:00 PM
THE NEW DISTRIBUTION MATH
HARMON KASLOW
Learn how modern distribution models generate revenue across multiple windows and platforms.
LUNCH
ROOM A
2:30 - 3:30 PM
FROM CREATIVE TO CAREER LONGEVITY
JON HUERTAS
Gain insight into building a sustainable career that extends beyond a single project.
ROOM B
2:30 - 3:30 PM
TURNING AUDIENCE DATA INTO FINANCING LEVERAGE
MICAH GROENEVELT
Understand how real audience metrics influence financing and sales decisions.
3:45 - 4:45 PM
THE DREAMLAND MODEL: REAL ASSETS. REAL STRUCTURE. REAL FILMS.
AUSTIN SPICER
Full Room Session: Discover how blending real estate-backed stability with film financing reduces risk and creates long-term sustainability.
ROOM A
5:00 - 6:00 PM
STRATEGIC CAPITAL & STRUCTURED GROWTH
ERIC GORDON
Learn how to approach investors with clarity, structure, and long-term vision while building scalable creative enterprises.
ROOM B
5:00 - 6:00 PM
GLOBAL PACKAGING & SALES POSITIONING
ALEXIS GARCIA
Understand how to package films for international markets and align projects with global buyer demand.
DAY 2 — MAIN CONFERENCE (FEB 28)
8:30 - 9:00 AM
DOORS OPEN & REGISTRATION
COFFEE & NETWORKING
Coffee, connection, and networking.
9:00 - 9:25 AM
OPENING FILM + WELCOME CEREMONY
AFA TEAM
A cinematic start to set the tone for the day.
9:25 - 9:40 AM
THE VISION OF THE AMERICAN FILM ASSOCIATION
AUSTIN & HAILEY SPICER
Why we're here. Why now. What the future of film looks like.
9:45 - 10:15 AM
PACKAGING & PRODUCING PERSPECTIVE
RASHIDI HENDRIX
An inside look at building projects that move.
10:20 - 11:05 AM
PRODUCER MINDSET & CAREER STRATEGY
ALEXIS GARCIA
Packaging, positioning, and long-term vision from a working producer.
11:10 AM - 12:00 PM
THE FUTURE OF AFA & INDEPENDENT FILM
AUSTIN SPICER
A bold look at collaboration, opportunity, and where the industry is heading.
12:00 - 1:30 PM
LUNCH & NETWORKING
Connect with filmmakers, investors, creatives, and executives.
1:35 - 2:10 PM
LEGAL STRATEGY FOR MODERN FILMMAKERS
JOSEPH LANIUS
Protecting your projects and building the right foundation.
2:15 - 2:50 PM
ACTOR/PRODUCER PERSPECTIVE
JON HUERTAS
Creative longevity, navigating Hollywood, and storytelling that lasts.
2:55 - 3:55 PM
DREAMLAND STUDIOS: A NEW MODEL FOR FILM
AUSTIN SPICER & SHANE SEO
An innovative model blending real assets and filmmaking. What sustainable film finance looks like in today's market.
4:00 - 4:45 PM
CLOSING KEYNOTE
ERIC GORDON
High-level strategy, industry insight, and forward vision.
4:45 - 5:30 PM
FIRESIDE CHAT
AUSTIN SPICER & ERIC GORDON
A candid discussion on where cinema is heading next.
5:30 - 6:00 PM
CLOSING REMARKS & COMMUNITY CALL
AFA TEAM
Final thoughts, next steps, and what comes after the summit.
CHOOSE YOUR LEVEL
SECURE YOUR
SPOT TODAY
This Summit is built for filmmakers with developed projects, producers actively packaging films, or industry professionals serious about closing deals.
NEW APPLICANT
AFA MEMBER
THE EXTRA
WORKSHOP DAY ONLY
Perfect for filmmakers who want tactical education without the full two-day commitment.
- ✔ WORKSHOP DAY ACCESS
- ✔ ALL BREAKOUT SESSIONS
- ✔ GENERAL NETWORKING
- ✔ DIGITAL RESOURCE PACK
MOST POPULAR
THE DIRECTOR
FULL SUMMIT ACCESS
The complete Summit experience. Both days, all sessions, all speakers. Nothing cut. Nothing gated.
- ✔ 2-DAY FULL ACCESS
- ✔ ALL KEYNOTES & PANELS
- ✔ WORKSHOP SESSIONS
- ✔ PRIORITY NETWORKING
- ✔ DIGITAL RESOURCE PACK
THE PRODUCER
VIP PASS
Everything in Director, plus an exclusive evening networking dinner with industry leaders and accomplished filmmakers.
- ✔ FULL SUMMIT ACCESS
- ✔ PRIVATE MANSION DINNER
- ✔ EXCLUSIVE NETWORKING DINNER
- ✔ PRIORITY SEATING
- ✔ VIP RESOURCE LIBRARY
THE MOGUL
PARTNER PASS
For serious players building repeatable businesses. Priority access and enhanced positioning with decision-makers.
- ✔ ALL PRODUCER BENEFITS
- ✔ PRIORITY SUMMIT ACCESS
- ✔ ENHANCED POSITIONING
- ✔ 1-ON-1 INTRO SESSIONS
- ✔ FIRST ACCESS TO FUTURE OPPORTUNITIES
SAVE 50% ON TICKETS
JOIN AS A
MEMBER FIRST.
All AFA members get 50% off any Summit ticket, plus year-round access to industry professionals, ongoing education, and a vetted community.
CORE MEMBER
$50/mo
- Access to AFA community
- Ongoing education & resources
- 50% off Summit tickets
MOST POPULAR
PRO MEMBER
$99/mo
- Everything in Core
- Priority event access
- Deeper industry discussions
- 50% off Summit tickets
EXECUTIVE
$250/mo
- Everything in Pro
- Invite-only briefings
- Priority funding opportunities
- 50% off Summit tickets
Example: Director ticket is $247. With membership, it's $123.50.