FAQ's:

 

What will this year's festival look like?

This year's event will be focused on education and networking. We have been talking with WGA and SAG-AFTRA to create an event that fits within their guidelines. As a result, we are excited to announce that this year's festival will be a peer-to-peer networking and educational event that welcomes everyone who submitted a project to screen your work in our theaters and/or host a live table read of your scripts!

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Will there still be industry at the festival?

Pitching and selling is not this festival's goal, but in regards to industry attendance for networking, we are leaving it to them to decide if under the current strike rules they can attend. While we hope to have them there to attend and network with creators, we unfortunately can't confirm their attendance until we're closer to the festival.

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What if I already submitted to the festival?

If you have submitted content to this year's festival, we have a number of ways to proceed, including the option to carry one or all of your projects forward to 2024. Please keep an eye out for our newsletter email for these options and additional information. 

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Why is Catalyst affected by the strikes?

Catalyst stands in solidarity with members of the WGA & SAG-AFTRA as they pursue a fair TV/Theatrical/Streaming contract with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers. Our mission is to support creators in the development of their stories and the advancement of their careers. We value creative voices at every level of industry experience and wholeheartedly endorse an equitable resolution for our union professionals. While we are aware that many of our actor and writer friends who are current union members or wish to be in the future may be unable to attend our event due to their own strike restrictions, we want to create an environment where our community is supported and feels safe to participate. 

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How do I know if I am restricted due to the strike?

Every creator has to make their decisions to attend or participate in this year's event on an individual basis. We welcome anyone who wishes to participate in or attend our October event, but respect the decision of those who cannot.

• The WGA is the writers union. If you are or wish to be a member of this union, you are required to follow the restrictions that the WGA has announced. This includes (but is not limited to) being prohibited from pitching your work to any struck company, its affiliates or representatives.

• SAG-AFTRA is the actors union. If you are or wish to be a member of this union, you are required to follow the restrictions that SAG-AFTRA has announced. This includes (but is not limited to) being prohibited attending any festivals that receive funding from any of the struck companies, promoting any current or past work, or be actively working on any struck productions.

• Anyone not currently affiliated with these unions is not required to follow any of the restrictions from either union, provided they do not wish to join the union in the future. However, individuals are able to stand in solidarity with their fellow creators in many different ways.

• Educational experiences and events are generally allowed by both unions, provided that they do not include components that fall under the strike guidelines such as sale or solicitation of work, etc. Again, we encourage everybody to review the strike guidelines provided by both the WGA and SAG-AFTRA and make their decisions accordingly.

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Does Catalyst receive any funding from any of the struck companies?

No. Catalyst does not receive any funding from any of the struck companies.

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Do strike restrictions still apply to me if I am a student?

YES! Anyone, including students, who are or wish to be apart of either the WGA or SAG-AFTRA are required to follow strike restrictions. Anyone who does not follow strike restrictions could face having their membership revoked and/or being banned from the unions. Catalyst urges everyone to educate themselves on how they are or could be restricted by the strikes and to make an individual decision on how they would like to proceed. 

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Where can I go for additional strike information?