Buyer Database · Production Company · Updated
Artists Equity
Artists Equity is the artist-led production company founded by Ben Affleck and Matt Damon, backed by a three-year Sony financing and distribution partnership, and currently building a multi-platform slate for Netflix, Lionsgate, and beyond.
Current mandate
Artists Equity occupies a distinctive position in the current Hollywood landscape as a founder-led studio where the talent itself holds creative and financial stakes in the work. Founded by Ben Affleck and Matt Damon, the company operates on a stated philosophy of empowering artists rather than subordinating them to traditional studio economics. A three-year partnership with Sony, under which Sony finances and handles global theatrical distribution for the company's projects, gives Artists Equity the infrastructure of a major while preserving the creative autonomy of an independent. The appointment of Amy Baer as President of Film and Television signals a deliberate push to institutionalize that model and scale it across both film and television.
The company's recent production activity spans multiple platforms and genres. "The Accountant 2" grossed over $103 million in theaters before moving to Prime Video, demonstrating the company's ability to perform commercially at scale. "The Rip," an action thriller starring Damon, Affleck, Teyana Taylor, and Scott Adkins, is set to premiere on Netflix on January 16, 2026. An Affleck-directed thriller titled "Animals" is also on the Netflix slate. Additionally, "Kiss of the Spider Woman," starring Jennifer Lopez, is set for release through Lionsgate and Roadside Attractions. The company has also developed "Killing Gawker," a true-crime adjacent project that aligns with sustained streaming appetite for that genre.
Access to Artists Equity runs primarily through established industry channels. The company's leadership, including Baer, has a track record of working with recognized creative voices and packaging projects through major agencies and established producer relationships. Unsolicited material is not a documented pathway; writers and producers seeking to engage the company are best positioned through representation at agencies that have existing relationships with Affleck, Damon, or Baer's networks, or through attachment of talent that fits the company's artist-driven mandate.
Signature peaks
- 3-Year Deal Sony Partnership — Sony finances and handles global theatrical distribution for Artists Equity projects
- Netflix + Lionsgate + Prime Video Platform Reach — Active projects distributed across multiple major platforms simultaneously
- Amy Baer Leadership Hire — Appointed President of Film and Television to lead the company's next chapter
Mandate dimensions
- Genre focus
- action drama, drama
- Territory focus
- Not disclosed
- Budget tier (observed)
- Not disclosed
- Access pattern
- Access to Artists Equity runs through agency representation and established producer relationships connected to Ben Affleck, Matt Damon, or Amy Baer. Projects with meaningful talent attachments and a clear platform fit are best positioned to enter the company's development pipeline.
- Deal structure
- Artists Equity develops and produces film and television projects, with Sony financing and handling global theatrical distribution under a three-year partnership; streaming projects are produced for platforms including Netflix, with distribution handled separately through partners such as Lionsgate and Prime Video.
Recent productions and projects
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Amy Baer appointment as president of Film & Television
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Amy Baer hiring as President of Film and Television at Artists Equity
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Killing Gawker
Market context
With Amy Baer installed as President of Film and Television and a live Sony partnership in place, Artists Equity is actively centering creative voices to produce films and series for global audiences.
Aligns with trend of action stars (Dwayne Johnson) pursuing prestige dramatic vehicles; Artists Equity continues to position itself at the intersection of commercial star power and awards-caliber filmmaking.
Common questions about Artists Equity
Does Artists Equity accept unsolicited scripts?
There is no public record of Artists Equity accepting unsolicited material. The company operates as a founder-led studio built around established creative relationships. Its stated mission centers on empowering recognized artistic voices, which in practice means projects typically enter through agency representation, established producer partnerships, or talent attachments that connect to the networks of Ben Affleck, Matt Damon, or President of Film and Television Amy Baer.
How does Artists Equity develop and attach to projects?
Artists Equity develops projects internally and through partnerships with talent whose work aligns with its artist-driven mandate. The company's Sony deal means theatrical projects can be financed and distributed at scale, while its Netflix relationship covers streaming originals. Projects like 'The Rip' and the Affleck-directed 'Animals' suggest the company packages around its founders and their collaborators, making talent attachment a central part of how material gets developed into production.
What is Artists Equity currently producing?
The company's active slate includes 'The Rip,' an action thriller starring Damon, Affleck, Teyana Taylor, and Scott Adkins, set to premiere on Netflix on January 16, 2026; 'Animals,' an Affleck-directed thriller also for Netflix; and 'Kiss of the Spider Woman,' starring Jennifer Lopez, releasing through Lionsgate and Roadside Attractions. 'Killing Gawker' is also in the pipeline. 'The Accountant 2' has already grossed over $103 million theatrically before moving to Prime Video.
Who are the key creative leaders at Artists Equity?
Ben Affleck and Matt Damon are the co-founders and remain central creative figures, with Affleck also directing projects on the slate. Amy Baer was appointed President of Film and Television, a hire Affleck described as aligned with the company's goal to empower talent and balance creative integrity with commercial success. Baer's appointment represents the most significant recent leadership development and signals the company's intent to build institutional depth beyond its founders.
How do I get my project in front of Artists Equity?
The most viable pathway is through agency representation at firms with existing relationships with Affleck, Damon, or Amy Baer. The company's model centers on artist-driven storytelling, so projects that arrive with meaningful talent attachments, a clear platform fit (Netflix, Sony theatrical, or Lionsgate), and a voice that aligns with the company's stated mandate will be best positioned. Cold outreach is not a documented or recommended approach given the company's structure.
Is Artists Equity currently active and taking on new projects?
Yes. Artists Equity is actively producing across film and television, with multiple projects in various stages for Netflix, Lionsgate, and Prime Video. The recent appointment of Amy Baer as President of Film and Television, combined with the company's stated goal of building its 'next chapter,' indicates it is in an expansion phase. The three-year Sony financing and distribution partnership also provides structural support for continued development activity through the near term.
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