Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1536359
J U L Y 2 0 2 5 I 3 National Executive Director Russell Hollander answered member questions in both locations. "Our Eastern Executive Director Neil Dudich led a coalition of film and television unions that was instrumental in advocating for substantial improvements to the State's Film & Television Incentive," said Belsey. "As many of you know, New York recently passed a budget that includes needed changes to the program's structure and included a new $100 million fund dedicated to the cultivation of independent film." Both reports also called for the implementation of a Federal Tax incentive to make the U.S. film and television industry more competitive globally, and reported on DGA National Executive Director Russell Hollander's trips to Washington to meet with policymakers on how to pass a comprehensive film and television tax incentive and reauthorize and update the nation's nearly 25-year-old federal tax policy on domestic production in all 50 states. They also described how the DGA's leadership was instrumental in helping to craft a proposal that was announced by Hollywood Special Ambassador Jon Voight. Addressing the concern regarding the looming threat of AI, Belsey and Barclay both restated the Guild's position that AI is a tool to enhance creativity but must never be a replacement for human beings. Reiterating how the DGA was the first labor union to negotiate AI protections through collective bargaining, they noted that the industry has been through periods of change, driven by technological advancements like these before, and the Guild has always made sure our members have been protected and profited from each innovation. L-R from top row: Western AD/UPM Council Chair Linda Montanti, Eastern AD/UPM Council Chair Canella Williams-Larrabee, Western AD/SM/PA Council Chair Gary Natoli and Eastern AD/SM/PA Council Chair Tony DeSanti deliver their respective reports. DGA Members applaud the speakers during the New York meeting. — continued on page 4 Secretary-Treasurer Paris Barclay delivered the State-of-the-Guild report in Los Angeles and National Vice President Laura Belsey delivered the report in New York.