When you join the IFGA, you are joining a community of professionals, of seasoned pros, of up-and-comers, of creative artists, of screenwriters, of actors, of crew, and of filmmakers who have either chosen to work outside of unions, or have not yet qualified for the appropriate union.
The Independent Filmmakers Guild of America is for people working in the industry on their own terms, united by common goals, looking for a supportive community with common interests.
A guild, by definition, is an association of people for mutual aid or the pursuit of a common goal. Independent, by definition, is to be free from outside control; not depending on another’s authority.
We offer a unique opportunity to network and connect with other filmmaking professionals. As a member of the IFGA, you can use the Official IFGA Seal on your productions and marketing materials, and you can add the IFGA acronym after your name to let people know you are an active member of this professional community.
As a member of the IFGA, you will be able to use the following services that are free to members:
- Use of the IFGA Seal and Acronym
- Script Registry
- Online Courses for Professional Development
- Document Library with Templates for Common Needs
- Knowledge Base
- Private Facebook Group for IFGA Members Only
- IFGA Forum
- Affiliate Sales
- Webinars
- IFGA Awards
- Member Directory
- Periodic Zoom Member Mixers
- & More
We are also putting together a Best Practices and Ethical Production Guidelines Manual, which will be free to members to aid in the production process.
We are continually looking at ways to help our membership and expand our services.
The IFGA provides multiple ways for members to network and connect through forums and groups. We are working on our IFGA Manual as well, to help members navigate the precarious waters of being an independent artist.
Currently, members network through:
- Private Facebook Group for IFGA Members Only
- IFGA Website Forum
- Member Directory
- Social Media
- Zoom Meet and Greets
We are also hoping to start an online mentorship program to help filmmakers through the production process.
We also supply a variety of IFGA-provided services at discounted rates including:
- Digital Cinema Package (DCP) Creation
- Quality Control for Distribution
- Certification of Mastery for Online Courses
With more on the way!
We have partnered with an insurance broker specializing in associations, helping members find comprehensive coverage (health, dental, vision, etc.) putting your options into one place to help you navigate the world of freelance health insurance.
We have also added another health care service that provides concierge-style care for benefits available online (including many prescription needs and medical services that do not require in-person visits).
We are very excited to have our first partner to help provide members with access to critical business insurance such as liability, errors and omissions, worker’s compensation, equipment protection, and commercial auto.
With our partner insurance company, you can have a plan in place the same day and be on your way to shooting your project with the right insurance in hand.
We have added recent legal services, such as contract reviews, provided by an association member who is also an Entertainment Attorney.
We are planning additional access to member and affiliate-provided services to help our members.
The IFGA was founded by independent artists striving to make this world work without the luxury or requirement of joining a union.
We wanted to bring people together in a networking forum, offer a variety of services and help artists navigate their way through the indie production world.
As our membership grows, so will the offerings. We look forward to watching the members grow, connect, and expand their professional network.
You can learn about some of our founding members here!