The Independent Film & Television Alliance (IFTA) is the trade association of independent producers and distributors of motion picture and television programming worldwide. Formerly known as the American Film Marketing Association, the non-profit organization was established in 1980 by a group of independents whose main goal was to expand the independent film business by creating a world-class trade show, the American Film Market (AFM).

Headquartered in Los Angeles, the organization now represents more than 160 member companies from 22 countries, consisting of independent production and distribution companies, sales agents, television companies, studio-affiliated companies, and financial institutions engaged in film finance. Collectively IFTA Members produce more than 500 independent films and countless hours of television programming each year and generate more than $4 billion in sales revenue annually.

Since 1980, IFTA Members have produced and distributed more than half of the films that have won the "Best Picture" Academy Award, including: 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; The Lord of the Rings: Return of the King; Million Dollar Baby; Crash; The Departed; and, No Country for Old Men. During 2009, IFTA Members have continued to produce, distribute and finance some of the world's most prominent films, including Slumdog Millionaire, Milk, The Reader, The Wrestler, Doubt, Vicky Cristina Barcelona, W., Twilight, Defiance, I've Loved You So Long, Burn After Reading, Coraline, Saw V, Knowing, and, Tyler Perry's Madea Goes to Jail.

IFTA’s Mission and Services

IFTA provides the independent film and television industry with high-quality market-oriented services and worldwide representation. In addition to producing the AFM, the Alliance's thirty-person staff delivers 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 international tax and production incentive guides), seminars and other publications for industry professionals.

As the voice and advocate for the independent film and television industry worldwide, IFTA is committed to building and protecting its members' ability to finance, produce, distribute and market independent films and television programs around the world. IFTA speaks out on matters of critical importance, including the threat to a competitive marketplace posed by media consolidation, net neutrality, the elimination of trade barriers, the impact of new technology on our traditional business models, anti-piracy and improvement of copyright protection and enforcement around the world, and the need to foster broad-based growth of the industry. Where appropriate, IFTA actively lobbies national and international government officials in regard to measures directly affecting the independent industry.

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.