With the U.S. presidential election taking place the very same day the American Film Market starts on Nov. 5, for many international buyers flocking to the event in Las Vegas it’s become an added element of curiosity and intrigue as they travel to America. For others, however, because of the uncertainty about what might happen afterwards it’s become a very good reason to stay well away.
But another major political situation is reportedly having a significant impact on the event’s guestlist.
Variety hears that the ongoing and escalating violence in the Middle East has resulted in distributors from the region choosing to avoid the AFM — and the U.S — altogether this year. Multiple sales company have noted that none of their usual MENA (Middle East and North Africa) clients are going to in Vegas for the market and will instead conduct business remotely.
According to sources, the U.S.’s support for Israel as it continues its military offensives in Gaza and Lebanon is among the reasons for not attending. But, more practically when it comes to actual travel logistics, there’s the growing fear of being profiled on arrival and spending hours being questioned by border control at the airport, something that had heightened over the past year.
One local buyer described “nightmare stories” they’d been told over the last few months of Arab nationals being stopped on entry in the U.S., with one individual made to “wait for almost four hours coming in and another three hours on the way out.”
Paranoia about being on U.S. soil during the election also isn’t helping matters, as is the cost of travel, with there not being any direct flights between the main Gulf hub of Dubai to Las Vegas.
As a source succinctly concluded: “So yeah, fuck that.”
