IFTA In Focus

Update: The IFTA office remains closed as a precaution against COVID-19 with our staff continuing to work remotely from home. We are all available by email and phone to assist you during this time.

Advocating for Independents

Since the pandemic began, IFTA has been deep in the details to understand the industry and the Independents’ need to re-start and working on measures to get there. As always, IFTA continues to advocate for independents. Most recently the organization has taken the following actions:

In the U.S., IFTA is at the forefront of the production insurance issue throughout the industry, on the Hill, and in the media: IFTA has emerged as the most vocal of advocates for a federal insurance solution to fill the “communicable disease gap” evident in new policies. Working with Rep. Carolyn Maloney’s (D-NY) staff and other Hill offices, “film and television production” have been included in the recently-introduced Pandemic Risk Insurance Act (PRIA). The drafters’ intention is to cover business interruption insurance and the key aspects of Cast/Essential Elements insurance as part of a broad, all-industry package with federal insurance kicking in as excess insurance for pandemic-related claims in the future. The introduction of PRIA in Congress is a first step to what likely will be a lengthy negotiation amongst Congressional members.

IFTA has spoken out about this several times in the last few months as an expert source and educating various sectors on what the Independents need to get films financed and into production. Representative Carolyn Maloney will hold a roundtable for decision-makers on Capitol Hill in early September. IFTA’s CEO, Jean Prewitt, has accepted the invitation to speak at the event.

IFTA appeared along with its members Nicolas Chartier (Voltage Pictures) and Brian O’Shea (The Exchange) in the July 9 Reuters article Lack of insurance threatens supply of Hollywood films, TV shows in 2021 which garnered attention in D.C. and was picked up by other leading media, including FOX News and The New York Times. Deadline, THR, Variety have all also covered the topic with input from IFTA.

While the U.S. debates on recovery continue, other countries have begun to respond to the production industry’s needs with bespoke insurance solutions funded in full or in part by the government. France, Germany, Austria, Belgium, the UK, and Australia have all announced bespoke programs to cover re-start costs (and in some cases losses) associated with COVID 19 stoppages, while others including Canada, are considering proposals.

Industry Coalitions:

In early July, IFTA and eleven other organizations from news, sports, and entertainment fields, including the DGA, MPA, NAB, NASCAR, National Football League, PGA and SAG, called on key Congressional Leaders for continued support in moving forward legislative solutions to secure insurance coverage for pandemic-related work stoppages – a key factor in the effective re-start and recovery of these respective entertainment-related industries which employ millions of American workers. Read the full letter here.

IFTA and the MPA also joined with SAG-AFTRA, the DGA, and IATSE to seek Congressional action on tax and insurance measures to support resumption of film production and employment activity. The joint letter was sent to Congress on June 29 and also received coverage and support from the media: THR, Variety, Screen.

In Europe:

Through our membership in FIAPF and the international film community, IFTA has participated in the outreach to the European political and funding bodies to advocate for substantial financial support for the industry, despite potential cuts in programs specific to the creative industries. In the U.K., IFTA and IFTA’s members have been active in industry-government consultations and in framing the case for the U.K.’s independent producers and sales agents who are essential to the task of getting British film and television exports flowing again.

Source：IFTA