Organizations and associations connected to the movie and cinema industry, spanning professional guilds, industry trade bodies, and consumer-focused groups, are the focus of this portion of our guide.
The movie industry thrives on the collaboration of creative talent, technical expertise, business acumen, and audience engagement. Supporting and regulating this network are numerous organizations and associations, each serving distinct purposes.
Professional organizations represent those working in specific roles within the film industry. They often focus on protecting the rights of members, negotiating favorable contracts, and fostering professional development. Examples include the Directors Guild of America (DGA), which represents film and television directors, assistant directors, and production managers in the United States; the Writers Guild of America (WGA), which advocates for screenwriters, negotiating collective bargaining agreements and protecting intellectual property rights; the Screen Actors Guild - American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA), representing actors, voice artists, and other performers; the American Society of Cinematographers (ASC), a non-union professional association dedicated to advancing the art and science of cinematography through education and recognition; and the Producers Guild of America (PGA), which supports producers in film, television, and new media, promoting best practices and ethical standards. These organizations protect the livelihoods of their members and uphold artistic integrity and professionalism.
Industry associations represent companies, studios, and service providers, focusing on lobbying, market research, technological advancement, and global promotion of cinema. Among these organizations are the Motion Picture Association (MPA), a global trade association representing major Hollywood studios, advocating for copyright protection, anti-piracy measures, and international market access; Cinema United, which represents cinema owners and operators in the United States, addressing issues like theatrical release windows, accessibility, and audience engagement; the Independent Film & Television Alliance (IFTA), supporting independent producers and distributors, facilitating international sales and co-production opportunities; the British Film Institute (BFI), a UK-based cultural and industry body that promotes filmmaking, funds projects, and preserves film heritage; and the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS), an organization best known for the Oscars, which also supports film preservation, education, and industry research. These associations seek to influence policy, protect industry interests, and ensure the long-term sustainability of cinema as an art form and a business.
Consumer-focused organizations and associations connect audiences with the art of cinema, often promoting film appreciation, education, and community engagement. These include film societies and clubs that organize screenings, discussions, and festivals to foster a deeper appreciation of cinema; fan conventions and festivals, like Comic-Con International and the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), which bring together fans, creators, and industry professionals, bridging the gap between production and audience; non-profit film advocacy groups like Film Independent, which runs the Spirit Awards, supporting emerging filmmakers; and online communities and review platforms, such as Letterboxd or Rotten Tomatoes. These groups ensure that cinema remains a participatory experience and not merely a commercial product.
Professional organizations, industry and trade associations, and consumer and fan organizations serve different stakeholders, but their work is interconnected. Professional guilds negotiate with industry associations to set labor standards, while trade bodies collaborate with consumer organizations to set labor standards, and fan communities influence box office trends and production decisions.
Professional guilds protect the rights and careers of individuals, industry associations safeguard the business environment, and consumer groups keep the art form relevant to its audience.
Recommended Resources
Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences
Also known as the Academy, the Motion Picture Academy, or by its acronym, AMPAS, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences is a professional honorary organization in Beverly Hills, California. With the stated goal of advancing the arts and sciences of motion pictures, the Academy is known for its Academy Awards, popularly known as "The Oscars." Its awards, museum, collections, educational programs, industry news, and online shopping area are set forth.
https://www.oscars.org/
American Society of Cinematographers
Founded in Hollywood in 1919, the ASC is a cultural, educational, and professional organization that is neither a labor union nor a guild. Organized to advance the science and art of cinematography and gather cinematographers to discuss techniques and ideas to advocate for motion pictures as an art form. Its constitution, bylaws, and organizational structure are set forth, along with its publication (American Cinematographer), awards, educational data, and online store.
https://theasc.com/
Established in 1933, and operating under a Royal Charter, BFI is a film and television charitable organization that promotes and preserves independent and mainstream filmmaking and television in the United Kingdom. Using funds provided by the National Lottery, the organization works to encourage film production, distribution, and education. Sponsored by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, it is partially funded by the British Film Institute Act of 1949.
https://www.bfi.org.uk/
Launched by the National Association of Theatre Owners in 2022, the non-profit organization is dedicated to strengthening the cinema exhibition ecosystem and engaging audiences through data, research, education, collaboration, and philanthropy. It brings together stakeholders across filmmaking, exhibition, technology, concessions, and related fields. Its mission, history, leadership, core initiatives, programs, key publications, reports, and contacts are presented.
https://www.thecinemafoundation.org/
Formerly known as the National Association of Theatre Owners, the American trade organization comprises the owners of movie theaters and includes most of the operators of worldwide major theater chains, as well as hundreds of independent theater operators. Member benefits, state and regional associations, committees, task forces, and leadership are introduced, along with meeting schedules, events, research projects, educational programs, and contact information.
https://cinemaunited.org/
The official public website of the Directors Guild of America provides information regarding the Guild, such as its association, its members, and its mission. The website also includes membership, contracts, awards, events, initiatives, and affiliate information. The website also features DGA news and press releases, and the multimedia section that provides photo galleries, video clips, sound clips, transcripts, and publications. Eligibility and membership information are provided.
https://www.dga.org/
Founded in 1991, the Dove Foundation is a non-profit organization that issues film reviews, ratings, and endorsements of movies that it considers suitable for family audiences, largely based on Christian values. Its site includes thousands of reviews of movies, shows, books, and other content, as well as a Christian's guide to streaming. Its reviews may be found through search. General information about the organization is included, and filmmakers and studios may submit content.
https://dove.org/
Founded as the Independent Feature Project (IFP) West in 1984, the non-profit organization is dedicated to championing creative independence in visual storytelling and supporting artists who embody diversity, innovation, and a unique vision. It offers a range of programs, from labs to fellowships, markets, and festivals, designed to nurture independent filmmakers and connect them with industry resources. The organization produces the Independent Spirit Awards.
https://www.filmindependent.org/
The community-driven journalistic and academic platform is dedicated to uncovering corruption, favoritism, and misconduct within the global film industry. Its stated mission is to expose allegations of non-payment, unsafe work environments, racism, gender bias, sexual misconduct, and conflicts of interest affecting cast and crew. The organization tracks companies that dissolve and rebrand to evade accountability. Its key programs and opportunities are featured.
https://filmindustrywatch.org/
Foundation for Art and Creative Technology
FACT is a media arts centre housed in Liverpool, England. It presents a dynamic program that brings together film, exhibitions, workshops, and artist talks to explore the intersection of art, culture, and emerging technologies. Included is a year-round schedule of new releases, cult classics, and themed seasons, along with off-site screenings as part of programs like Cinema in the City. Visitors may browse by date, film title, and venue, with tickets bookable online.
https://www.fact.co.uk/
Independent Film & Television Alliance
The IFTA is a trade association representing companies that finance, produce, and license independent film and television programming worldwide. Headquartered in Los Angeles, California, the organization has a global membership and a broad scope of services and advocacy. Founded in 1980, the IFTA lobbies against market barriers that impede the ability of independent filmmakers to compete fully in national markets, including import and censorship restrictions, as well as copyright issues.
https://ifta-online.org/
Monterey County Film Commission
The non-profit organization was established by the Monterey County Board of Supervisors in 1987 to promote the region's filming locations, professional crews, and support services for feature films, commercials, television, and other media productions. The commission facilitates more than 100 projects annually, from feature films and television series to commercials, music videos, and still shoots, by helping to secure permits, locations, and connecting with skilled local professionals.
https://filmmonterey.org/
Motion Picture and Television Fund
The Motion Picture and Television Fund (MPTF) is an organization that provides entertainment industry members and their families with quality health care, medical and surgical services for the very young to the elderly as well as social and charitable services. The website provides information on the organizations services and opportunities as well as healthcare programs and facilities and also features MPTF's fund raising activities that brings together the brightest stars from film and TV.
http://www.mptvfund.org
The MPA is an American trade association representing five major film studios of the United States, the mini-major Amazon MGM Studios, and video streaming services Netflix and Amazon Prime Video. Founded in 1922 as the Motion Picture Producers and Distributors of America, and known as the Motion Picture Association of America from 1945 to 2019, the organization advocates for the motion picture and television industry, promoting copyright protection and expanding market access.
https://www.motionpictures.org/
The NFB is a Canadian public film and digital media producer and distributor. An agency of the Government of Canada, the NFB produces and distributes documentary films, animation, web documentaries, and alternative dramas. The NFB reports to the Parliament of Canada through the Minister of Canadian Heritage, and has bilingual programs and branches in English and French. Canadian films can be streamed through the site and found through its documentary, animation, and education categories.
https://www.nfb.ca/
Formed in 1962 with the merger of the Screen Producers Guild and the Television Producers Guild, the PGA is a trade association representing the interests of film and television producers, as well as emerging media producers, in the United States. The Guild offers several benefits to its members, including seminars and mentoring programs, as well as entrance to special screenings of movies during Oscar season. Its organizational structure and membership information are provided.
https://producersguild.org/
The Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) is an American labor union formed in 2012 by the merger of the Screen Actors Guild and the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists. A member of the AFL-CIO and the International Federation of Actors, it represents media professionals worldwide. Member benefits and eligibility requirements are defined, and a calendar of events, contract information, and industry resources are set forth.
https://www.sagaftra.org/
Society for Cinema and Media Studies
SCMS is a professional dedicated to the scholarly study of film, television, digital media, and related forms. It provides a centralized platform for membership services, conference proposals, publications, and resources that support research and teaching in media studies. Members can join or renew their membership, ensuring full access to SCMS communication and submission portals for conferences and awards. Schedules, publications, and journals are highlighted.
https://www.cmstudies.org/
Toronto International Film Festival
TIFF is one of the most prestigious and largest publicly attended film festivals in the world. Founded in 1976, the festival is held annually in early September. The organization behind the film festival is a permanent destination for film culture operating out of the TIFF Lightbox cultural center in downtown Toronto. TIFF also organizes the TIFF Film Circuit, a program that partners with local organizations in other Canadian towns and cities to screen films that have been shown at TIFF.
https://www.tiff.net/
WIF advocates for and advances the careers of women and gender-diverse people working in the screen industries to achieve parity and transform culture. The organization focuses on ensuring the media reflects the diversity of the world and its people. Core programs and initiatives include fellowships offering support for emerging filmmakers through grants, mentorship, and training, as well as workshops and labs designed to build career pathways and development opportunities for writers in TV.
https://womeninfilm.org/
Formed in 1921 as the Screen Writers Guild, the Guild was largely a social organization in the beginning. The Great Depression of the 1930s and the growth of the organized labor movement impelled the organization to take a more active role in negotiating writers' contractual rights and protections. In 1933, the SWG merged with the Authors' Guild in 1933, and the AG reorganized into the Writers Guild of America East and West in 1951. Member benefits and contacts are posted.
https://www.wgaeast.org/
WGAW is a labor union representing writers in the film, television, radio, and new media industries. Formed in 1954 from five organizations representing writers, including the Screen Writers Guild, the WGAW, and the Writers Guild of America East (WGAE), though independent entities, they jointly brand themselves as the Writers Guild of America and cooperate on many activities. Member benefits, officers, the organization's structure, and other resources are provided.
https://www.wga.org/
