If you were not aware, the 43rd Annual Minneapolis St. Paul International Film Festival has begun, and runs April 11–25. It is strange to think that in their long history, this is the first year SAG-AFTRA has had a presence there. This year, MSPIFF welcomed us warmly, and we partnered on hosting a panel event, a joint mixer and providing a wonderful ticketing discount for our members!
On Saturday, April 13, we helped start off the first weekend of the festival with SAG-AFTRA Day: Actors to the Set, a panel made up of casting director Lynn Blumenthal, local member Isabella Star LaBlanc (True Detective), producer Zachary Weil (Dead Mail), actor and stunt performer Barton C. Williams (Silent Roar), SAG-AFTRA Director of Locals Administration William Hendrickson, and yours truly, your local president (Human Resources). The panel was moderated by filmmaker and MSPIFF Senior Programmer Craig Rice, who guided us through a conversation on the role SAG-AFTRA has played in the filmmaking ecosystem, the various contracts available to filmmakers, and the positive impacts using SAG-AFTRA performers can have on projects.
Later that same day, the SAG-AFTRA Twin Cities Local co-sponsored the MN Made Celebration mixer with FilmNorth, MN Film & TV, and Minnesota Women In Film & Television. Festival-goers and members of the community turned out to toast the full slate of Minnesota-made films in the festival.
But the big benefit is the promotional discount extended to our members. MSPIFF made their All-Access passes (a $600 value) available to SAG-AFTRA broadcasters and performers for $99, allowing us to attend all the films and most events throughout the festival. I hope you were able to take advantage of this offer. If not, the festival ends April 25. Members can fill out this form using “SAG-AFTRA” as the company name. Feel free to use “Not Applicable” for company address. Festival staff will then get back to you to finalize the purchase.
Finally, on Monday, April 15, we had a hearing in the Senate Jobs and Economic Development Committee on SF 4446 to create a Minnesota State Film Office, which would administer and promote our film production tax credit. As many of you know, Minnesota is the only state that has a 501(c)(3) overseeing their film incentives. Because this is an unproductive and inefficient way of rebuilding our market after enhancing our tax credit, we are continuing the fight for change!
This hearing came at the last minute, on the final day of hearings, and happened because we quickly mobilized the community to urge the committee chair to put us on their agenda.
After a long day due to delays with business in the Senate chamber, the hearing went very well. Our numbers dwindled from the earlier turnout, but we rallied for a nice show of support by the end of the day, and the bill was approved to be considered for inclusion in the Senate omnibus bill. Now we wait for the House and Senate to work out any differences they may have for our inclusion in the final omnibus bill. The work continues!
In solidarity,
Casey E. Lewis
Twin Cities Local President
