The WGAW is committed to increasing independent and low budget screenwriters' status and influence within the film industry. We seek to expand writers' coverage through the use of the WGA's Low Budget Agreement and Documentary Screenplay Contract for films budgeted at $1.2 million and below, and sideletter agreements to the MBA.

The Low Budget Agreement

Both Guild Members and non-Guild Members writers can use the Low Budget Agreement. No budget is so low that screenwriters should sacrifice Writers Guild protections and benefits. Please refer to this flier for general information about the Low Budget Agreement.

DOWNLOAD THE 2008 WGA LOW BUDGET AGREEMENT (.pdf)

ARE YOU A WGAW MEMBER OR NON-MEMBER INTERESTED IN THE WGA LOW BUDGET AGREEMENT? (.pdf)

ARE YOU A COMPANY INTERESTED IN THE WGA LOW BUDGET AGREEMENT? (.pdf)

Documentary Films

If you are working on a theatrical documentary film budgeted under $1.2 million, check out this information about the Documentary Screenplay Contract (.pdf). This contract allows writers to write or sell a documentary screenplay under the protection of the Writers Guild, while deferring all or part of their writing fees. For more information go to Documentary Film and Nonfiction Programming or call the WGAW Independent Film Line at (323) 782-4731 or the WGAE at (212) 767-7800.

The Independent Writers Caucus

The Independent Writers Caucus was formed in the Fall of 2002 with the goals of raising writers' status and influence within the low budget and independent film community, expanding writers' coverage in low budget/independent films through the use of the WGA's Low Budget Agreement and the MBA, and increasing emerging writer/filmmaker membership in the WGAW.

The WGAW encourages eligible emerging and established screenwriters to join the community of Guild writers through the Independent Writers Caucus (IWC). For information about joining the Independent Writers Caucus go here.

Film Festivals and Film & TV Organizations

For a list of film festivals and film and television organizations, go here.