Ben Affleck and Matt Damon’s Artists Equity Launches New Indie Banner: Artists Equity Independent Pictures (EXCLUSIVE)

Ben Affleck and Matt Damon’s Artists Equity has launched Artists Equity Independent Pictures, a new banner dedicated to platforming emerging filmmakers in the indie space, Variety can exclusively reveal.

Jennifer Westin, SVP, creative affairs and production, will lead day-to-day supervision of the AEIP slate under the guidance of Amy Baer, Artists Equity’s president of film and television.

“We owe much of our careers to independent cinema, so we’re keenly aware of its enormous role in discovering and refining talent,” said Affleck and Damon, Artists Equity’s CEO and chief content officer, respectively. “Artists Equity Independent Pictures is a way for us to empower rising voices with real potential, broaden the type of stories we’re telling and serve an audience that continues to express a growing desire for high-quality independent films.”

Backed by an independent theatrical film fund, AEIP’s early projects include “A Woman in the Sun,” the directorial debut of “Nyad” screenwriter Julia Cox. Cast members for the family drama include Renée Zellweger, Sissy Spacek and Mia Threapleton. Another project on the AEIP slate is “Downriver” from director Sam Jones and screenwriter Carl Hiaasen. AEIP is producing alongside Seth Caplan, Dori Rath, Hungry Bull Productions’ Joseph Restaino and Groundswell Productions’ Michael London. Executive producers are William P. Foley II, Douglas K. Ammerman, Castille Landon, William Crawford Shippey and Tony Stopperan for Hungry Bull Productions.

Outside of the Independent Pictures initiative, Artists Equity has the thriller “Animals,” starring and directed by Affleck, hitting Netflix Oct. 9. Affleck also co-wrote the script with Connor O. McIntyre and Billy Ray. Other cast members include Steven Yeun, Kerry Washington and Gillian Anderson. Also coming soon from Artists Equity is “Free Byrd,” starring Dwayne Johnson as a Las Vegas motorcycle stuntman who conceals his dementia diagnosis while preparing for one final jump. “Sing Sing” filmmaker Greg Kwedar serves as director.

Affleck, Damon and Gerry Cardinale of RedBird Capital launched Artists Equity in 2022. The banner’s first film was the 2023 sports drama “Air,” directed by Affleck, who starred alongside Damon, Jason Bateman and Viola Davis. Other Artists Equity projects include “Small Things Like These,” “The Rip,” “The Accountant 2,” “The Instigators” and “Unstoppable.”