This field briefing document is intended to educate policymakers and decisionmakers about the challenges and opportunities related to the U.S. infrastructure serving independent filmmakers and media artists. Commissioned by the National Endowment for the Arts and produced in partnership with the Sundance Institute through a Cooperative Agreement, the topics outlined in this briefing were informed through individual and group conversations taking place across 2021-2022 with members of the Independent Film and Media Arts Group (IMAG) and other independent film stakeholders representing a diverse cross-section of roles in the field, including producers, directors, distributors, exhibitors, funders, sales agents, and non-profit artist support organizations. Quotes are attributed to individuals by the role they play in the field (rather than by name) to preserve anonymity and ensure participants felt comfortable sharing their experiences. The briefing is additionally supplemented by reports and relevant research and articles covering the independent film and media arts field. 23pp. November 2022

About the Independent Film and Media Arts Group

The Independent Film and Media Arts Group (IMAG) is a leadership initiative convened by the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) in collaboration with the Sundance Institute. Launched in 2020, IMAG is a growing network of more than 800 individuals representing local, regional, and national stakeholders across the United States, including artists and collectives, film and media arts organizations, film festivals, art house cinemas, cultural institutions, content distributors, broadcast entities, arts service organizations, and funders. Membership is drawn from 47 states and one territory, and includes individual filmmakers and organizations dedicated to strengthening support networks for the independent film and media arts field through knowledge exchange and peer learning, with a focus on equity and career sustainability.

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