Indie Film Caucus

Watch Now: the 2020 Indie Writer Summit – In Review

Notice: Due to the ongoing public health and safety concerns caused by COVID-19, and with the continued well-being of our members and staff in mind, the Guild’s in-person programming is suspended until further notice.

What is the Indie Film Caucus?

The goal of the Indie Film Caucus is to provide a forum for professional writers in the field of independent film. Outreach and engagement focuses on filmmakers who have presented work as an official selection at a film festival and/or have achieved theatrical or streaming (SVOD) distribution.  

The Indie Film Caucus serves the needs of those filmmakers fully focused on their independent film careers, as well as those who are making a single independent project. Indie Film Caucus members are encouraged to have their projects produced under the Low Budget Agreement.

The Guild offers a Low Budget Agreement for narrative theatrical films and a Documentary Screenplay Contract for theatrical documentaries. These contracts are designed to meet the demands of the low budget film business, as well as to ensure rights and benefits for writers of films budgeted at $1.2 million or below. Both WGAE members and non-members may request these contracts.

For more information on the benefits of having your independent film covered by the Writers Guild of America, East, please contact us using the form below.

The WGAE Indie Film Caucus holds 1-2 meetings annually and focuses on the WGA East’s presence at screenwriter-focused film festivals throughout the year.

Did you know? The WGA offers a Low Budget Agreement and a Documentary Screenplay Contract for low-budget narrative and documentary feature films. Both WGAE members and non-members may request these contracts.

Who is eligible to join the Indie Film Caucus?

All applicants must have fulfilled at least one of the four eligibility criteria* detailed below in order to be considered for the Indie Writers Caucus. If you meet the criteria, we encourage you to indicate your interest in joining the Indie Film Caucus by submitting an application.

Eligibility Criteria for the Indie Film Caucus:

• The Writer’s feature-length narrative screenplay has been produced under a WGA Low Budget Agreement (for films budgeted at $1.2 million and below).
• The Writer’s feature-length narrative screenplay was produced and the film premiered at a film industry recognized domestic film festival.
• The Writer’s feature-length narrative screenplay was completed in connection with a highly regarded and/or accredited domestic screenwriting program offered at an educational institution or film industry organization and, in addition, the Writer completed the screenwriting program requirements.
• The Writer’s feature length narrative screenplay was nominated for and/or won a highly regarded screenwriting award. (Note: Screenwriting “contests” are also subject to review and individual approval by the WGAE.)

*Please note: All Indie Film Caucus applications are subject to staff review and approval. In some cases, more than one eligibility criterion or combination of eligibility criteria must be fulfilled. When applying, the Writer is encouraged to submit ALL eligibility criteria information that apply.

Apply to a WGAE Caucus (external – opens in a new window).