Lloyd Kaufman, Chairman of the Board of Directors, announced today that the Independent Film & Television Alliance’s (IFTA) Board of Directors has renewed the contracts of President-CEO Jean Prewitt and Executive VP-American Film Market (AFM) Managing Director Jonathan Wolf through 2012.



Ms. Prewitt has headed the global trade organization since 2000. Under her leadership, IFTA has emerged as a strong public advocate for the worldwide independent film and television industry. Mr. Wolf was appointed to his position in 1998. He has guided the growth of the AFM into the world’s largest film market.



Mr. Kaufman stated: “Jean has become a leading voice on behalf of the global independent entertainment industry. She has led IFTA’s campaign against media consolidation and is an advocate for protecting net neutrality on the Internet, combined with copyright protection and effective enforcement. She is a tenacious, effective advocate for the interests of our industry and IFTA members throughout the world.”



“Jonathan does an outstanding job running the annual AFM,” Mr. Kaufman said. “He has been the prime architect of growth and change, turning the AFM into the world’s premier market for independently produced motion pictures. He manages to give personal attention to each and every AFM participant.”



ABOUT IFTA: IFTA is the Independents’ representative worldwide, speaking out on matters of critical importance, including the elimination of trade barriers, the impact of new technology on the independents’ business, anti-piracy efforts and promotion of broad-based growth of the industry. IFTA delivers an array of services to assist independents to compete effectively in today’s marketplace. IFTA Arbitration is available to resolve trading disputes without costly international court proceedings. IFTA Collections gives participants an effective mechanism to collect non-contractual copyright royalties and has paid participants more than $75 million in the past decade. IFTA’s model licensing agreements are in standard use around the world. Members receive the benefit of on-site support at major film and television markets and legal and market research services which are available online at www.ifta-online.org.

ABOUT THE AFM: The AFM is the pivotal destination for independent filmmakers and buyers from throughout the world, with more than $800 million in motion picture and television production/ distribution deals closed each year. The eight-day market hosts more than 8,000 industry professionals and screens 500-plus feature films. Participants come from in excess of 70 countries, including acquisition and development executives, agents, attorneys, directors, distributors, financiers, film commissioners, producers, writers, the world’s press and representatives of every service sector. For more information, go to www.americanfilmmarket.com.