Ben Affleck & Matt Damon Bet On The Future Of Cinema

Ben Affleck and Matt Damon have launched Artists Equity Independent Pictures (AEIP), a new label within their production company Artists Equity focused on emerging filmmakers.

The banner was announced on October 7, 2026, and is backed by a dedicated independent theatrical film fund. The name and size of the fund were not disclosed. TheWrap reported that AEIP will operate on a creatively ambitious but fiscally prudent model.

“We owe much of our careers to independent cinema,” Affleck and Damon said in a joint statement, describing the label as a way to support rising voices and broaden the range of stories the company tells.

Jennifer Westin, Artists Equity’s SVP of creative affairs and production, will oversee the AEIP slate day to day. She reports to Amy Baer, the company’s president of film and television, who joined in December 2025.

AEIP’s first two projects are already in development:

“A Woman in the Sun” is the directorial debut of Julia Cox, screenwriter of the Oscar-nominated film “Nyad.” The family drama stars Renée Zellweger, Sissy Spacek and Mia Threapleton.

“Downriver” marks the scripted feature debut of Sam Jones, whose credits include episodes of “Ted Lasso.” Jones co-wrote the script with novelist Carl Hiaasen. The film is produced with Hungry Bull Productions and Groundswell Productions.

Artists Equity was founded in November 2022 by Affleck and Damon with backing from Gerry Cardinale’s RedBird Capital Partners. RedBird committed $100 million to the venture at launch, according to Calcio e Finanza. Affleck serves as CEO and Damon as chief creative officer.

The company’s first release was “Air” in 2023, directed by Affleck and starring Affleck and Damon. The film grossed about $90 million worldwide and earned Golden Globe nominations for Best Motion Picture (Musical or Comedy) and for Damon’s lead performance.

Its slate has since expanded to include “Small Things Like These,” “The Instigators,” “Unstoppable,” “Kiss of the Spider Woman,” “The Accountant 2” and “The Rip.” “The Accountant 2” grossed about $101.9 million. In March 2026, the company signed a first-look streaming deal with Netflix.

Upcoming Artists Equity titles include “Animals,” a Netflix drama directed, co-written by and starring Affleck alongside Steven Yeun, Kerry Washington and Gillian Anderson, and “Free Byrd,” directed by Greg Kwedar and starring Dwayne Johnson.

AEIP adds a third operating line to Artists Equity, alongside its studio film slate and a recently announced scripted television division.