Market organisers on Monday projected data through the end of the market’s final day on Nov 7 and said the number of acquisitions executives rose from 1,523 in 2011 to 1,616.

There were 35 more buying companies in Santa Monica compared to last year, representing a 5% increase. AFM top brass reported there were 753 buying companies from more than 60 countries this year compared to 718 in 2011, adding that attendance by Latin American executives climbed 17%, followed by a 14% surge in Asian buyers.

Buyers who spoke to Screendaily during the market noted that asking prices were particularly high for China and Latin America.

The number of executives, producers, talent and other guest reached 3,069, while overall attendance peaked at 7,749. Overall 442 films will have screened at the market and of the 650-plus screenings, 327 were market premieres.

Attendees reported a quiet market due to high prices and a perceived lack of must-have titles. Packed distributor pipelines created less of a sense of urgency among buyers and Storm Sandy delayed the arrival of East Coast-based attendees such as The Weinstein Company until in some cases a day or two into proceedings.

 

 

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