WASHINGTON, D.C. — The International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE), alongside entertainment unions, guilds, studios, industry stakeholders, and Hollywood Special Ambassadors Jon Voight and Sylvester Stallone, has urged Congress and President Trump to back critical film and television tax measures in the current budget reconciliation package.

In a letter to President Trump, the coalition expressed appreciation for presidential support, stating: “We appreciate and thank you for the support you have shown our industry. We also appreciate your understanding of the need to increase domestic film and television production to bring back American jobs.” Specifically, the letter highlights three key tax provisions: Section 199 (Domestic Manufacturing and Production Incentive), Section 181 (Expensing for American Film and Television Production), and Section 461 (Carry Back of Net Operating Losses).

IATSE International President Matthew D. Loeb said, “American film and television workers have faced unprecedented job losses due to aggressive overseas incentives and economic uncertainty. The federal government must provide a balanced, comprehensive response to level the international playing field and support American jobs. These measures will help bring work back home, strengthen local communities, and maintain our global leadership in entertainment production.”

With over 80 countries now offering lucrative incentives, the coalition asserts that immediate federal action is necessary to protect American jobs and small businesses. Film and television productions inject significant revenue into local economies, with a typical film shoot spending more than $670,000 daily on location and employing nearly 1,500 local workers.

This advocacy aligns with IATSE’s longstanding commitment to fighting for film and television jobs within its jurisdiction in North America. In fact, IATSE was the first union to publicly endorse federal incentive legislation and other measures designed to retain and grow domestic film and television production jobs, releasing a formal endorsement ahead of the 2024 elections on October 31, 2024. IATSE continues to advocate for a balanced federal approach that includes a comprehensive set of policies that level the playing field to support American workers and domestic businesses.

The complete list of signers onto the letter were:

• Jon Voight, Hollywood Special Ambassador
• Sylvester Stallone, Hollywood Special Ambassador
• Russell Hollander, National Executive Director, Directors Guild of America (DGA)
• Matthew D. Loeb, International President, IATSE
• Sean O’Brien, General President, International Brotherhood of Teamsters
• Charles H. Rivkin, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Motion Picture Association (MPA)
• Duncan Crabtree-Ireland, National Executive Director, Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA)
• Sam Wheeler, Executive Director, Writers Guild of America East
• Ellen Stutzman, Executive Director, Writers Guild of America West
• Jean Prewitt, President and Chief Executive Officer, Independent Film and Television Alliance
• Susan Sprung, Chief Executive Officer, Producers Guild of America
• Cathy Schulman, Chair, Producers United
• Katie Pryor and Tony Armer, Co-Founders and Managing Partners, FilmUSA

For more information about the ongoing campaign, visit our Fighting for U.S. Film & TV Jobs webpage here.