DEGNZ SUPPORTS DGA, SAG-AFTRA DEONUNCEMENT OF TRUMP’S IMMIGRATION POLICY

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

2 February 2017

The Directors & Editors Guild of NZ (DEGNZ) fully supports the denouncement by the Directors Guild of America (DGA) and the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) of President Donald Trump’s executive order barring people from Iraq, Syria, Iran, Libya, Somaila, Sudan and Yemen entering the United States.

“It is patently discriminatory to single out people solely by nationality or religion,” said DEGNZ President Howard Taylor.

“Law-abiding artists such as Iranian director Ashgar Farhadi who is prevented from attending the Academy Awards or any other law-abiding person should be treated equally regardless of race, gender, creed, disability, sexual orientation or country of birth.”

The DGA and SAG-AFTRA objections followed the Writers Guild of America’s statement blasting Trump’s 27 January order to suspend entry of refugees to for United States for 120 days, impose an indefinite ban on refugees from Syria, and a 90-day ban on citizens of seven predominantly Muslim countries.

Trump’s ban has generated significant condemnation and concern in the creative and technology sectors with the Motion Picture Association of America, the gaming industry, Google, Netflix, Reddit and many other companies and organisations deeply opposed to the new immigration policy.

“The screen industry is now global,” added Taylor. The movement of artists and their works must flow freely and not be impeded by xenophobic policy that hinders expression or basic human rights.”

Ends

Directors & Editors Guild of NZ

The Directors & Editors Guild of NZ is a not-for-profit membership organisation that represents Directors and Editors in the New Zealand screen industry. This includes Directors and Editors of feature drama and documentary; television drama, documentary and factual programmes; short films; video art; animation; commercials and web content.

DEGNZ’s two primary roles are advocacy and professional development. We:

· are dedicated to promoting excellence in the arts of directing and editing.

· foster collegiality and unity within the screen industry.

· promote members’ creative and economic rights.

· work to improve industry working conditions and remuneration.

· offer professional advice and information on contracts and industry standards and practice.

· offer professional development events, networking opportunities, career advice, dispute resolution, mentoring, workshops, training, discounts and regular news bulletins for members across all levels of expertise, from novices to seasoned professionals.

· are a voice for Directors and Editors in influencing policy in the interest of our members. We do this through our membership of the panindustry group SINZ (Screen Industry New Zealand), and by making submissions to government and public officials.

· Internationally work co-operatively with other guilds and we belong to the International Affiliation of EnglishSpeaking Directors’ Organisations (IEASDO).

DEGNZ is Auckland-based with an office in Grey Lynn.

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