SAG-AFTRA's low budget agreements let independent films under $2 million hire union actors at reduced minimums. As of November 2026, Ultra Low Budget (up to $300,000) pays $257 a day, Moderate Low Budget (up to $700,000) $449 a day and Low Budget (up to $2 million) $834 a day, while shorts, micro-budget and student films use negotiable or deferred pay. Here is each tier, from SAGindie and sagaftra.org, with what our union experts told us.
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They're a ladder of union contracts that let independent films with small budgets hire SAG-AFTRA performers at lower minimums than a studio feature. SAGindie, SAG-AFTRA's site for independent producers, lists six of them on its signatory page, from the $20,000 Micro-Budget agreement up to the $2 million Low Budget Theatrical Agreement.
The budget decides the agreement, as Ben Whitehair, a former SAG-AFTRA vice president, explains in our library. Whatever the tier, the union sets a floor, called scale, and your agent can always negotiate above it.
Minimums for principal performers from 1 July 2026, as of November 2026, from SAGindie and the SAG-AFTRA rate sheets. All of these productions must be filmed entirely in the US.
| Agreement | Budget up to | Principal minimum | Background actors |
|---|---|---|---|
| Micro-Budget Project | $20,000 | Fully negotiable | Not covered |
| Student Film | $35,000 (35 minutes max) | Deferred | Not covered |
| Short Project (SPA) | $50,000 (40 minutes max) | Negotiable; deferred pay owed if it sells | First 10 covered |
| Ultra Low Budget (UPA) | $300,000 | $257 a day | Not covered |
| Moderate Low Budget (MPA) | $700,000 | $449 a day, $1,560 a week | Not covered unless the background incentive is used |
| Low Budget Theatrical (LBA) | $2 million | $834 a day, $2,896 a week | First 30 covered |
SAGindie says a Diversity-in-Casting Incentive can lift the MPA ceiling to $950,000 and the LBA ceiling to $3 million when its casting requirements are met. Rates rise 3% each 1 July through 2029, per SAGindie's 2026 contract summary. Our SAG-AFTRA rates page has the studio rates for comparison.
The Ultra Low Budget Project Agreement covers films up to $300,000. Its rate sheet sets the minimum at 20% of the studio day rate, which is $257 a day from 1 July 2026. There's no weekly rate.
Ben's explainer shows how the tiers work, but it predates the current contract, so go by the rate sheet for the numbers. ULB covers professional performers only, not background.
The next two rungs pay more and look more like a regular union shoot. The Moderate Low Budget agreement (up to $700,000) pays 35% of the studio rate, $449 a day or $1,560 a week from 1 July 2026, per its rate sheet. The Low Budget Theatrical Agreement (up to $2 million) pays 65%: $834 a day or $2,896 a week, per its rate sheet.
Both allow Taft-Hartley hires, SAGindie says, and the LBA covers the first 30 background actors at $231 a day. (Ben's video calls the middle tier Modified Low Budget; its figures are also older.)
These are for shorts and very small projects. The Short Project Agreement covers budgets up to $50,000 and running times up to 40 minutes. Its rate sheet says initial pay is a matter of good faith negotiation between producer and performer, but if the project goes into a "Subsequent Use" market, all deferred pay must be paid, and for principals that can't be less than 20% of the day rate.
The Micro-Budget agreement covers projects up to $20,000, with terms and pay SAGindie calls "fully negotiable". Deferred pay means you're paid later, if the project starts earning: Ben explains it with the union's low budget new media (web series) agreement. Many shorts never reach a paid market, so judge these jobs on the footage, the credit and the people.
If you're a member making your own short, filmmaker Melissa Center reminds you it needs a SAG-AFTRA agreement. The process is fairly simple, she says, as long as you contact the union early. Our short film page covers the rest.
As of November 2026, SAG-AFTRA's student films page sets these limits: a maximum budget of $35,000, a maximum runtime of 35 minutes, no more than 20 shooting days, and an overall shooting period of six weeks at most.
Principal performers' pay is deferred for up to 12 hours a day, but wardrobe, mileage and penalties aren't. Performer consent is required before distribution, $125 a day must be paid before the film's initial release, and exclusivity isn't allowed. The union warns that a project that strays from these terms may be upgraded to a different agreement.
In practice, expect no cheque on set. Shaan Sharma says AFI student films are worth doing for the experience and relationships, not the money. Our AFI student film page explains how to get into them.
Often, yes, and smaller projects are where it's most likely. Ben says casting is more open to non-union actors on smaller, lower budget projects such as student films and shorts.
Whether the job makes you SAG-eligible is a separate question. Kym says a speaking role under the theatrical, Low Budget or Moderate Low Budget agreements can Taft-Hartley you, but Ultra Low Budget can't. SAG-AFTRA's membership Q&A agrees that Ultra Low Budget, student and short films don't qualify you for membership. Our Taft-Hartley page explains the process.
The day rate isn't the only thing. Producers on these agreements also pay pension and health contributions on top of your pay: SAGindie lists 22% for performers from 6 September 2026. SAGindie's summary also lists "No consecutive employment (except on overnight locations)" for every tier, which means a producer can book your days apart without paying for the days in between.
Manager Chris Roe adds that even when you book a low budget job yourself, put it through your reps: a deal described as straightforward isn't always, especially when friends are making it.
Through SAGindie. As of November 2026, it asks producers to start four to six weeks before cast travel, rehearsal or filming, with a finished budget (including post) and script, then submit a signatory application.
This page is general information about union agreements, not legal advice. Check the agreement for your project with SAG-AFTRA or an entertainment lawyer.
From 1 July 2026 the Ultra Low Budget Project Agreement minimum is $257 a day, for films with budgets up to $300,000. There is no weekly rate.
The Low Budget Theatrical Agreement covers budgets up to $2 million, or $3 million with the Diversity-in-Casting Incentive. Moderate Low Budget goes up to $700,000 and Ultra Low Budget up to $300,000.
Principal pay is deferred. SAG-AFTRA says $125 a day must be paid before the film's initial release, and performer consent is needed before distribution.
A speaking role under the Low Budget or Moderate Low Budget agreements can, through a Taft-Hartley. SAG-AFTRA says Ultra Low Budget, student and short films do not qualify you for membership.
Yes, when the film is made under the SAG-AFTRA Student Film Agreement. Members making their own shorts also need a SAG-AFTRA agreement.
You agree to be paid later if the project is sold or moves into a paid market. Under the Short Project Agreement, all deferred pay must then be paid.
Knowing which contract a film is under tells you a lot about the job before you say yes. Download Your Free Film Industry Guide to learn more about how the industry works.
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All rates current from sagindie.org, sagaftra.org (student films), sagaftra.org (UPA rate sheet) and sagaftra.org (SPA rate sheet) as of 10 November 2026.