Laura Rooney has been appointed director, AFM operations, by the American Film Marketing Association.

Rooney comes to the AFMA from exhibitors association NATO of California, most recently as director of annual film trade event ShoWest. She will oversee all operational aspects of AFM and, as the primary contact with the Loews Hotel and Santa Monica business community, she will bring together the hotels, city agencies and suppliers which service the eight-day film market.

AFM 2002 will take place in Santa Monica from Feb 20-27.