FMSMF, Guest Column

Musicians’ Residuals for Union Film Scoring Reaches All-Time High

September 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 […]

Diversity: Courage Through the Lens of the AFMand the American Labor Movement

June 1, 2023

Make no mistake, the AFM’s commitment to justice, inclusion, and gender equality remains a solid cornerstone of the institution. Following the decades-old mandate set down by the AFL-CIO, brothers and sisters who seek strong and just representation within the American labor unit—regardless of race, gender, or culture—are welcome. We should be proud of the AFM’s […]

MPTF’s Extraordinary Year

June 1, 2023

The Music Performance Trust Fund (MPTF) fiscal year ended April 30, marked a huge leap in grant distribution, from $2.5 million to over $3.7 million. This 48% increase was another step in balancing the grant distribution proportionately with annual revenues. Grant funding has grown dramatically since the pivotal 2017 labor agreement between the major record […]

The AFM Diversity Committee: 20 Years Strong

June 1, 2023

In 2003, at the 95th AFM Convention, the original Diversity Council, which was appointed by AFM International President Steve Young in 1996, was given official status as a standing committee of the AFM and was renamed the AFM Diversity Committee. With Otis Ducker as committee chair, it was granted the authority and privileges of other […]

AFM Diversity Committee Encourages All Locals to Participate in Diversity Awards

February 1, 2023

by Lovie Smith-Wright, AFM Diversity Committee Chair and Member of Local 65-699 (Houston, TX) The AFM Diversity Committee has been hard at work preparing for the 102nd AFM International Convention in Las Vegas, Nevada. Diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) training has been a big part of our discussions over the last two years, and […]

Closing a Year of Change to Open a Year of Opportunity

December 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 […]

Diversity Awards Open to All AFM Locals

December 1, 2022

The AFM Diversity Awards were created in 2005 to recognize outstanding examples of diversity within the AFM. For every action there is a reaction, which over time becomes our history. That was the basis for creating the awards. During every AFM Convention since 2005, a time has been set aside to reflect and present Diversity […]

2022 Another Banner Year for Film and TV Musicians

August 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 […]

2022 Another Banner Year for Film and TV Musicians

August 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 […]

Black Orchestral Network Launched

June 1, 2022

Black members of more than 40 orchestras came together in May to launch the Black Orchestral Network (BON) dedicated to creating an inclusive and equitable environment for Black people in the orchestral field. The group was founded on the motto: “If we increase our connection to one another, we can harness our creativity and develop […]