Now is the right time to become an American Federation of Musicians member. From ragtime to rap, from the early phonograph to today's digital recordings, the AFM has been there for its members. And now there are more benefits available to AFM members than ever before, including a multi-million dollar pension fund, excellent contract protection, instrument and travelers insurance, work referral programs and access to licensed booking agents to keep you working.
As an AFM member, you are part of a membership of more than 80,000 musicians. Experience has proven that collective activity on behalf of individuals with similar interests is the most effective way to achieve a goal. The AFM can negotiate agreements and administer contracts, procure valuable benefits and achieve legislative goals. A single musician has no such power.
The AFM has a proud history of managing change rather than being victimized by it. We find strength in adversity, and when the going gets tough, we get creative - all on your behalf.
Like the industry, the AFM is also changing and evolving, and its policies and programs will move in new directions dictated by its members. As a member, you will determine these directions through your interest and involvement. Your membership card will be your key to participation in governing your union, keeping it responsive to your needs and enabling it to serve you better. To become a member now, visit www.afm.org/join.
January 1, 2024
January not only rings in a new year but it rings in a new chapter in the Film Musicians Secondary Markets Fund’s evolution. Over six years ago, the Film Musicians Secondary Markets Fund (FMSMF) began a multi-year process of transformation—starting with an in-depth review of every internal business process. We performed an exhaustive study of […]
Read MoreSeptember 1, 2023
The Film Musicians Secondary Markets Fund (FMSMF) broke another record in residuals collected for musicians during the fiscal year that ended March 31, 2023. Total collections for fiscal year 2023 exceeded $141 million—surpassing the previous record of just over $130 million in 2022. On June 30, FMSMF processed payments for approximately 18,000 musicians and beneficiaries […]
Read MoreDecember 1, 2022
The Film Musicians Secondary Markets Fund’s 50th year was one of transformation to better position it to meet the opportunities and challenges of an evolving industry. In 1972, the only known secondary markets were free TV, pay TV, and cassettes. No one could have predicted how radically the industry’s business models would change nor imagine […]
Read MoreAugust 1, 2022
The Film Musicians Secondary Markets Fund (FMSMF) once again hit a record high in residuals collected for musicians in fiscal year 2022 (ending 3/31/2022). These secondary market residuals were established in the AFM’s Basic Theatrical and Basic Television agreements. The residuals have been collected by the FMSMF since the 1970s. They have grown over the […]
Read MoreJune 1, 2021
As International Musician went to press, the Film Musicians Secondary Markets Fund was finalizing the numbers for the fiscal year that began April 1, 2020 and ended March 31, 2021. This 2021 fiscal year is the year upon which the July 1, 2021 regular distribution of secondary market residuals will be determined. What a year those 12 months turned out to […]
Read MoreDecember 1, 2020
Since we last reported to you, the world has continued to change. Fortunately, the Film Musicians Secondary Markets Fund’s (FMSMF) commitment to the work of collecting and distributing the secondary market residuals that are so critical to the lives and livelihoods of working musicians is unchanged. As working film/TV musicians are aware, with the onset […]
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