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 may use the Low Budget Agreement with the Guild’s approval. This agreement allows writers to sell a narrative feature-length screenplay under the protection of the Writers Guild, while deferring all or part of the purchase fee and, if applicable, a rewrite. Depending on the budget, the script publication fee may also be deferred. This agreement is not used for work-for-hire situations. Please refer to this flier for general information about the Low Budget Agreement. Please note that a Low Budget Agreement must be requested by the Writer, and the Company must file required Low Budget Agreement documents (which include the agreement itself, the film’s budget, the shooting script and other documents). These documents are sent to WGAW Independent Film to get approval for use of this WGA Agreement. If the Agreement’s terms are included in a personal agreement but no additional Low Budget Agreement documents are filed, the Writer is not ensured that the Low Budget Agreement will apply to the project. The Guild’s Signatory documents and process should not be confused with the WGA Low Budget Agreement requirements. 

Both Members and Non-Members should call the WGAW Independent Film Line at (323) 782-4731 or email regarding this Agreement.

INFORMATION ABOUT THE LOW BUDGET AGREEMENT (.pdf) 

DOWNLOAD THE 2011 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 at or below 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. Please note that a Documentary Screenplay Contract must be requested by the Writer and the Company must file required Documentary Screenplay Contract documents (which include the contract itself, the film’s budget, a screenplay proposal or shooting script) with WGAW Independent Film to get approval for use of this WGA Contract. If the Contract’s terms are included in a personal agreement but no additional documents are filed with the Guild, the Writer is not ensured that the Documentary Screenplay Contract will apply to the project. The Guild’s Signatory documents and process should not be confused with the WGA Low Budget Agreement requirements. 

Both Members and Non-Members should call the WGAW Independent Film Line at (323) 782-4731 or email regarding this Contract.

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.