Screenwriters Association (SWA, INDIA)

The Screenwriters Association (SWA, formerly Film Writers' Association - Regd. Under the Trade Union Act 1926, Regd. No. 3726) is a Trade Union of screenwriters and lyricists who work for Films, TV and Digital Media in India. Authors, novelists, playwrights, journalists who aspire for to diversify or join fulltime the mediums of films, TV or Digital entertainment, are also members of the SWA. (SWA, Official Website) 

 

SWA registers the works of their members, giving them the proof of authorship. The registerable work includes  Film/TV/OTT work like scripts, treatments, Synopsis, Story,  Screenplay, Dialogue and Song. Registration is done online or offline at SWA’s office. The fees applicable for registration varies depending on the type of work and number of pages. 

 

One of SWA's primary objectives is to safeguard the rights of screenwriters. They provide legal support to members in disputes related to copyright infringement, non-payment of dues and other contractual issues. This is crucial in an industry where creative professionals often face challenges in ensuring fair compensation for their work.

 

To become a member of the Screenwriters Association (SWA), individuals must be screenwriters, including those who write for films, TV, audio formats, digital media or any new media and must reside within the boundaries of the Union of India. Applicants should be above 18 years of age. To apply, interested writers need to submit a completed SWA Membership Form, along with the necessary documents and applicable fees, either online or in person at the SWA office or via post. Membership is granted after verification of all documents. 

 

Here’s a structured table summarizing the membership types, their explanations, and fees: 

 

Membership Type	Explanation	Fees
Regular/Life Member	For writers with credits in Feature Films, TV Shows, Web Series, or music. Writers need to have significant screenwriting or lyricist contributions to be eligible.	Admission Fee: INR 7,620 (Regular) or INR 21,000 (Life) Annual Subscription Fee: INR 120 (Regular only)
Life Member	A Regular Member or eligible person who opts for a one-time payment and is not required to pay further subscriptions.	Admission Fee: INR 21,000 Validity: Lifetime
Associate Member	For writers with a professional contract or a recognized screenwriting education. Includes those with credits in films, TV, or digital media.	Admission Fee: INR 4,216 Validity: 3 Years
Fellow Member	Available to anyone passionate about screenwriting. Allows work registration but no voting or AGM rights.	Admission Fee: INR 3,216 Validity: 3 Years

 

Apart from these, there are different charges for upgradation, penalties, etc. Check out this link for further details - https://www.swaindia.org/membershiprules

 

SWA conducts various events like the SWA Awards, the Annual Screenwriters Conference and Vartalaap—conversations with industry experts. SWA also organizes screenplay writing contests for both web series and films. Throughout the year they conduct various workshops to improve writing skills. Also, to ensure fair practices, they introduced the Minimum Basic Contract Model, protecting writers' rights. Additionally, SWA provides welfare schemes such as medical aid, scholarships for students and legal assistance, focusing on the well-being and success of its members.

 

So, if you are an aspiring screenwriter or working screenwriter, joining the Screenwriters Association is very beneficial. It provides legal support, protects your work, ensures fair pay, and helps you network with industry professionals. 

 

Link : https://www.swaindia.org/