Hollywood actors strike: their international solidarity federation

The International Federation of Actors, whose executive committee is meeting this weekend in Istanbul, issued a statement of "unwavering" support for the Hollywood actors' strike to "prevent its circumvention abroad." If the writers of the Writers Guild of America (WGA) reached an agreement with the studios on Sunday to put an end to their movement, the actors' strike against the giants that are the major Hollywood studios and streaming platforms has completed his 78th day. “This declaration of international solidarity should make it much more difficult for the targeted companies to circumvent the strike by trying to hire talent outside their jurisdiction,” announces the International Federation (FIA).

“FIA introduces the resolution as SAG-AFTRA (the US union of film, television and radio actors) continues its fight to protect performers and ensure the viability of lasting careers. This resolution demonstrates the powerful unity of the 90 FIA member organizations around the world and promises unwavering solidarity with SAG-AFTRA,” she insists.

For SAG-AFTRA Executive Director, Duncan Crabtree-Ireland, “the statement sends a clear message to studios and streaming platforms: artists around the world are united by demands for fairness, justice and respect for SAG -AFTRA. Stakeholders around the world will resist the misuse of artificial intelligence and the economic disrespect for the artists who make their activities possible.”

The statement highlights that “like all workers around the world, players also face serious threats posed by the unfettered misuse of AI (artificial intelligence), exposing them to the unwanted prospect of having to compete with virtual copies of themselves without any compensation” and that it is therefore an “existential fight” for the profession.