Fall Film Festivals Navigate Strikes and Indie Film Sales Amidst SAG Waivers and Loopholes

The interim agreement issued by SAG-AFTRA, allowing union members to promote their films at Venice, Toronto, and Telluride, has sparked controversy in the indie industry. While some see the waivers as crucial support for non-AMPTP projects, others argue that the conditions imposed by the union create difficulties for producers and sales companies in making deals with distributors. One condition of the waiver is that distributors must comply with SAG-AFTRA demands, including on subscription revenue and residuals, which major studios and global platforms have rejected. As a result, waivered projects are being overlooked by these entities, limiting revenue options for independent productions. The impact of the SAG waivers will be tested at the Venice Film Festival, where films like Michael Mann's "Ferrari" and Luc Besson's "Dogman" arrived with interim agreements in place.