Following a meeting with representatives of several AFMA-affiliated sales companies at the AFM, the organisers of MIFED are considering adding two days to the end of the autumn sales market.

The Milan market, which is currently scheduled for Nov 3-7, would only become longer if the London Screenings were to become significantly diminished. That seems a real possibility with many sellers wanting to end the dual London-Mifed structure for reasons of cost and convenience.

Elena Lloyd said: "We would want to make a decision on an extra one or two days before Cannes. And to reach that decision we want to hear more from the likes of Miramax, Good Machine and New Line." Those three sales outfits are among a high-profile group agencies reportedly threatening to boycott London Lloyd said that AFMA is no longer talking about launching a rival autumn market or shifting the AFM from February to October.

Lloyd also used her meeting to present the changes that MIFED will instigate this year. These include improvements to the screening rooms including air conditioning, new screens and the installation of DTS sound systems in some theatres. "Our clients tell us that they like MIFED because it is cheaper and all under one roof. We want to show that we have been listening to our clients about the other measures too."