The Independent Film & Television Alliance (“IFTA” or “the Alliance”) was established in 1980 as the American Film Marketing Association (“AFMA”). Its first members were a group of distributors and sales agents whose main goal was to expand the independent film business by creating a world-class trade show, the American Film Market (AFM). Today, the association has evolved into the trade association for the independent film and television industry worldwide, while the AFM concurrently has become the largest international film market in the world.

On July 1, 2004, the association formally adopted its new name, recognizing its now-global membership and its mission to promote the independent industry throughout the world. IFTA’s membership includes 160 companies from 22 countries, spanning production, distribution and financing of independent film and television programming. Collectively, its members produce more than 400 independent films and countless hours of television programming each year and generate more than $4 billion in distribution revenues annually.

Since 1980, more than fifty percent of the Academy Award™ “Best Picture” winners have been films produced or licensed globally by IFTA member companies. They include Gandhi, Amadeus, Platoon, The Last Emperor, Driving Miss Daisy, Dances With Wolves, The Silence of the Lambs, Braveheart, The English Patient, Shakespeare in Love, Chicago, Lord of the Rings: Return of the King, Million Dollar Baby, and Crash. During 2005-2006, IFTA Members have continued to produce, distribute and finance some of the world's most celebrated films, including Brokeback Mountain, The Constant Gardener, Good Night & Good Luck, A History of Violence, Joyeux Noel (Merry Christman), March of the Penguins, Mrs. Henderson Presents, Paradise Now, Pride & Prejudice, Tsotsi, and Wedding Crashers.

IFTA’s Mission and Services

IFTA is a non-profit association whose mission is to provide the independent film and television industry with high-quality marketplace-oriented services and worldwide representation. As the spokesperson for the worldwide independent film and television industry, the Alliance actively lobbies the United States and European governments and the international organizations on measures that impact production and distribution.

In addition to the AFM, IFTA also provides an ever-widening array of services to assist independents to compete effectively in today’s challenging marketplace. IFTA Arbitration is available to resolve trading disputes without costly international court proceedings. IFTA Collections gives participants an effective mechanism to collect non-contractual copyright royalties. IFTA’s model licensing agreements are in standard use around the world. Members also have the benefits of on-site support at major film and television markets, ongoing legal and market research services (including International Box Office Reports and the territory-specific International Market Fact Book), seminars and other publications for industry professionals.

IFTA Leadership

IFTA has both in-house professional management and an energized cadre of members that provide strategic direction and on-going advice and support.

IFTA’s two senior executives have lengthy experience in the industry:

Jean M. Prewitt became IFTA’s President in April 2000 and was promoted to Chief Executive Officer in December 2001. She joined IFTA after nearly a decade as a senior U.S. government official and as a lobbyist in Washington DC representing film and entertainment interests and the high-technology community. Prior to that time, she was Senior Vice President and General Counsel of United International Pictures (the international distribution entity formed by then-Universal, Paramount and MGM-UA studios) and managed legal and government affairs on a worldwide basis. Prior to that time, she practiced law with the firm Donovan Leisure Newton & Irvine. Prewitt graduated from Harvard University and Georgetown University Law Center.

Jonathan Wolf has been IFTA's Executive Vice President and Managing Director of the American Film Market since 1998. He joined IFTA in 1993 as Senior Vice President of Business Development and established IFTA Collections, which now distributes millions of dollars in royalties to participants each year. Previously, Wolf spent two years as President & COO of Studio Three Film Corporation, a U.S. theatrical distribution company. From 1980 to 1990, he held various finance positions within the industry, culminating as Chief Financial Officer of New World International, where he oversaw the company’s international operations. Wolf is a graduate of the University of Southern California Business School.

Based at the Alliance’s Los Angeles headquarters, Prewitt and Wolf direct all association activities and manage a permanent staff of 28 employees.

IFTA’s Members are critically important in governing the Alliance. After twenty-five years, the “volunteer spirit” is still visible. Members participate in setting policy direction and in implementing IFTA’s programs through their service on IFTA’s standing committees and on the association’s Board of Directors and Executive Committee. The breadth of their experience in the international marketplace is one of IFTA’s most valued assets.

IFTA Membership

We encourage all companies that engage in international film and television distribution, or film financing activities, to investigate the benefits of IFTA membership. Please see Join IFTA for the details of IFTA’s membership criteria and contact information.