The focus on inclusion riders — that is, contract clauses that ensure projects have diverse casts and crews — has made its way across the pond. Deadline reports that the Labour Party, Britain’s current opposition party, is working on legislation that would offer tax relief only to film and TV projects that use the inclusion rider.
In 2016, the most recent year for which there is data available, 175 films and 45 series received tax credits — “Wonder Woman” and “The Crown” among them. Based on the sheer number of projects that claim tax relief, the Labour Party could make real change in the UK film industry should its plans be successful.
“For far too long, the film and TV industries have been dominated by a small and unrepresentative segment of society,” said Shadow Culture Minister Kevin Brennan. “Bringing inclusion riders from Hollywood to HMRC [Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs] could put a rocket booster under the industry that pays lip service to diversity, but hasn’t always delivered.”
“With Cannes just weeks away, it’s important we start an international conversation about the ways in which policy-makers can contribute to the urgent need for greater diversity,” Brennan continued. “We will consult fully before bringing forward proposals but updating the film and high-end TV tax relief to require inclusion and diversity as part of the qualifying criteria would be a major step forward. The pace of change has been too slow so far. We need action now.”
Inclusion riders became a hot topic when Frances McDormand mentioned them in her Oscars acceptance speech. “I have two words to leave with you tonight, ladies and gentlemen,” she said, “inclusion rider.”
Since then Brie Larson, Michael B. Jordan, Paul Feig, Matt Damon, and Ben Affleck have all committed to the clause. WME co-CEO Ari Emanuel recently issued a memo urging all agents and clients to use them as well.
USC Annenberg’s Inclusion Initiative released an inclusion rider template last month for anyone interested in adopting it. You can check it out or download it here.
