Save Hollywood: The Battle for U.S. Film Jobs!

Ladies and gentlemen, buckle up! We're diving headfirst into the heart of the entertainment industry's biggest crisis yet. The American film and television sector is under siege, and it's time to fight back! The International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) is leading the charge, advocating for policies that will bring jobs back to the U.S. and keep our industry competitive on the global stage.

The threat is real, folks! Foreign governments are luring productions away from the U.S. with aggressive tax incentives and subsidies. Films intended for initial release in the U.S. are increasingly being shot overseas, and American workers are paying the price. In just two years, IATSE members have lost tens of thousands of jobs across the United States. That’s thousands of families, small businesses, and communities across the country feeling the economic hardship of a shrinking industry.

But there's hope! IATSE is engaging with the Trump administration and Congress to advocate for policies that will level the playing field for American workers. The union is pushing for a federal film production tax incentive and other domestic tax provisions to counteract the aggressive tax incentives and subsidies offered by foreign governments.

The union is also advocating for reciprocal trade practices that ensure fair competition for all IATSE members. This could involve negotiating agreements with Canada that provide similar incentives and protections for U.S. workers in Canada as those offered to Canadian workers in the U.S. As IATSE International President Matthew D. Loeb said, "We seek reciprocal trade practices that ensure fair competition for all IATSE members."

But the fight isn't over yet, folks! The Trump administration's proposed 100% tariff on films produced in foreign countries could have unintended consequences. The high cost of production and the need for significant budgets could make it difficult for smaller productions to compete, potentially leading to a consolidation of the industry around larger studios and productions. Additionally, the implementation of a federal tax incentive could lead to increased costs for productions, which might be passed on to consumers in the form of higher ticket prices. This could, in turn, lead to a decrease in theater attendance.

So, what can you do? Stay informed, stay engaged, and stay involved! The future of the American film and television industry is at stake, and it's up to all of us to fight for it. Let's bring jobs back to the U.S. and keep our industry competitive on the global stage!