Sudbury Crew Finally Paid by 40 Acres Film Producers After TIFF Premiere
A major settlement has been reached for unpaid crew members of the Canadian feature film 40 Acres, which premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF). The production, led by 4T Productions and helmed by producer Jennifer Holness, was filmed in Sudbury, Ontario, during September and October of 2023. The movie, telling the story of a Black-Indigenous family defending their land, drew attention for its post-apocalyptic narrative, but also due to financial issues faced by local crew members.
IATSE Local 634, the union representing film crew workers in Sudbury, confirmed that wages, per diems, and equipment rental fees have now been fully paid. However, some local vendors are still waiting on compensation for materials supplied during the production. Pinehill Lumber, a supplier for the film’s set, reported being owed $17,000 as of October 2024, despite receiving partial payment earlier in the year. The producer, Jennifer Holness, acknowledged financial difficulties during the premiere but pledged to address the outstanding payments.
John Lewis, IATSE’s Canadian affairs director, praised the company’s efforts in compensating the crew but stressed the need for further action to settle debts with all vendors. He emphasized the importance of government bodies like Telefilm ensuring that productions meet industry financial standards, suggesting that future funding should be contingent on fulfilling financial obligations.
The 40 Acres film, with a budget of $8 million, received funding from Telefilm, the Canada Media Fund, and the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund. Local vendors and crew members hope the remaining payments will follow soon.
Source: Swifteradio.com
