Société des auteurs de radio, télévision et cinéma

What Société des auteurs de radio, télévision et cinéma does

SARTEC (Société des auteurs de radio, télévision et cinéma), founded in 1949 and headquartered at 1229 rue Panet in Montréal, is a non-profit professional association (syndicat professionnel) and the statutorily recognized exclusive bargaining agent for French-language screenwriters working in radio, television, cinema and audiovisual media in Canada. It was recognized by Quebec's CRAAAP in October 1989 and federally accredited by the Canadian Artists and Producers Professional Relations Tribunal in January 1996. SARTEC negotiates and administers collective agreements covering all screenwriters engaged by signatory production companies and broadcasters — including AQPM member producers, Radio-Canada, ONF, Télé-Québec, Groupe TVA, and TVOntario — establishing minimum fees, working conditions and credit arbitration mechanisms across the industry.

The organization operates a portfolio of member-facing products and services rather than a unified software platform. Core offerings include the cadnA secure online manuscript deposit application (encryption-based timestamping to establish authorship, with 2- and 5-year packages priced at $10–$20 for members and $20–$40 for non-members); the Caisse de sécurité (Security Fund) providing group RRSP with preferential 1.36% management fees and group insurance funded by 9–11% producer contributions on each SARTEC contract; legal advisory and contract review; the "Clause toujours" legal fact-sheet series; the monthly "En un mot" newsletter; "12 à 13" professional development sessions; and the annual Prix Jacques-Marcotte screenplay award.

Revenue derives from three main streams: annual membership dues (Active $135, Associate $50, Trainee $35, each plus a $10 admission fee); professional union dues of 2.5% from members and 5% from non-members on contract fees; and producer Security Fund contributions of 9–11% per SARTEC contract. SARTEC distributes services through a 14-person staff in Montreal, the cadnA self-service platform, and intermediary channels via its collective-agreement signatories, while engaging in cultural-policy advocacy through CDEC, IAWG, CISAC and the broader Fondation des artistes coalition.

Name

Société des auteurs de radio, télévision et cinéma

Legal name

Société des auteur.e.trice.s de radio, cinéma et télévision

Website

https://sartec.qc.ca

Company type

Private

Founded year

1949

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

SARTEC is a Montréal-based non-profit professional association founded in 1949 and the federally accredited exclusive bargaining agent for French-language screenwriters in radio, television, cinema and audiovisual media in Canada, representing hundreds of writers through collective agreements with Quebec producers and broadcasters.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Montréal

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Professional Union Dues (Members): Active members pay 2.5% of all fees as professional union dues and 2.5% as contribution to the SARTEC Security Fund for insurance coverage.
2. Professional Union Dues (Non-Members): Non-members pay 5% of all fees as professional union dues. These amounts are non-refundable and go into the general funds of the Security Fund.
3. Producer Contributions to Security Fund: For each SARTEC contract signed, producers pay 9% to 11% (depending on the collective agreement) to the SARTEC Security Fund, which funds members' RRSPs and group insurance.
4. Annual Membership Fees: Active members pay $135 annual membership plus $10 admission fee; Associate members pay $50 annual fee plus $10; Trainee members pay $35 annual fee plus $10.
5. cadnA Deposit Fees: Secure manuscript deposit service with fees: 2-year package at $10 for members/$20 for non-members; 5-year package at $20 for members/$40 for non-members.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

SARTEC is a nonprofit professional association and exclusive collective bargaining agent for French-language screenwriters in Quebec and Canada. It negotiates and administers collective agreements with major producers, provides legal and contract assistance to members, manages a Security Fund (group insurance and collective RRSP), and operates the cadnA secure online manuscript deposit service used to establish proof of authorship and content at a given date.

Product overview

SARTEC is a professional association/syndicate for French-language screenwriters in Quebec and Canada. Rather than a unified software platform, it offers a portfolio of professional services organized around its core mission: defending screenwriters' rights and interests. The main offerings include: the cadnA secure manuscript deposit application for protecting creative works; legal assistance and contract review services; collective agreement management with major producers; the Caisse de Sécurité fund providing group insurance and RRSP benefits; "Clause toujours" legal fact sheets; the "En un mot" monthly newsletter; "12 à 13" professional development sessions; training programs; and the annual Prix Jacques-Marcotte screenwriting award. These services work together to support screenwriters throughout their careers, from contract negotiation to retirement benefits.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• cadnA: Secure online manuscript deposit application for protecting copyright and proving authorship
• Caisse de sécurité
• Prix Jacques-Marcotte
• En un mot

Products and services

• cadnA Secure Manuscript Deposit Secure online manuscript deposit application that timestamps and protects works, providing proof of authorship and content at a given date for legal purposes. Files are encrypted on upload and stored on a private server in Quebec, with decryption requiring two security keys (one held by SARTEC and one sent to the depositor).
• Collective Agreement Management Services Negotiation and administration of collective agreements with producers (AQPM, Radio-Canada, ONF, Télé-Québec, TVA, TVOntario) establishing minimum compensation terms and working conditions for French-language screenwriters.
• Caisse de Sécurité (Security Fund) Fund providing members with group insurance (life, disability, health, dental, vision) and a collective RRSP retirement savings plan, funded by producer contributions and member deductions.
• Legal Assistance Services Legal advice, contract review, and labour relations support for members, including free consultations on contractual matters and assistance with collective agreement application.
• Training Programs Annual training programming including workshops on screenwriting techniques, software tools (Final Draft), industry practices, and professional development for screenwriters.
• Clause toujours Legal Fact Sheets A series of legal information sheets designed to make contractual issues more accessible to screenwriters, helping them understand, interpret, and negotiate their professional agreements.
• En un mot Newsletter Monthly newsletter reflecting on screenwriting industry news, special events, training, major audiovisual topics, and upcoming projects, with an editorial signed by the Director General.
• 12 à 13 Reflection Sessions Online exchange and reflection sessions for members covering various topics related to the screenwriting profession and audiovisual industry.
• Independent Craft Production Contracts Standard contracts and documents for screenwriters developing projects independently and artisanally, including template contracts for documentary and fiction films.
• Prix Jacques-Marcotte Annual screenwriting award recognizing the best French-language feature film screenplay, presented in partnership with Caisse Desjardins de la Culture.

Quantifiable outcome

• Members receive 7-11% employer RRSP contributions on top of fees
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Association québécoise de la production médiatique (AQPM)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSARTEC negotiates and maintains collective agreements with AQPM covering television, cinema, and new media productions. AQPM is the primary association for Quebec media producers, and its member companies must use SARTEC contracts for screenwriter services.
• Radio-CanadacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollective agreement covering French-language screenwriters working for CBC's French-language public broadcaster.
• Office national du film du Canada (ONF)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFramework agreement (accord-cadre) covering screenwriters working on ONF productions, most recently renewed 2025-2029.
• Coalition pour la diversité des expressions culturelles (CDEC)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSARTEC is a member of CDEC, a coalition advocating for cultural diversity and the preservation of cultural exceptions in international trade agreements. Active in CETA and USMCA revision discussions.
• Affiliation internationale des syndicats d'auteurs (IAWG)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational affiliation of screenwriters' guilds from Australia, New Zealand, USA, Canada, Great Britain, Ireland, Israel, France, and Mexico. SARTEC hosted the 2007 annual meeting and participated in support for striking US writers during WGA strike.
• Confédération internationale des Sociétés d'auteurs et compositeurs (CISAC)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational confederation of authors' societies. SARTEC affiliated in 1971, working with global network on copyright protection and author rights.
• Conférence canadienne des arts (CCA)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCanadian Conference of the Arts - national arts advocacy organization of which SARTEC is a member.
• Cours écrire ton courtmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSARTEC is a partner in the Cours écrire ton court competition for emerging screenwriters, which offers nearly $150,000 in financing, equipment and services for the winning short film project. Competition launched annually with information sessions.
• Fonds des artistes / Fondation des artistescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSARTEC's fund is now affiliated with the broader Fonds des artistes under the Fondation des artistes, bringing together 7 arts associations (SARTEC, RAAV, GMMQ, APASQ, ARRQ, UDA) to provide unified support services and donations for Quebec artists.
• L'inismajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSARTEC collaborates regularly with L'inis (National Film Board training center) for screenwriting training and education programs. SARTEC members serve as instructors at L'inis.
• Télé-QuébeccoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollective agreement covering screenwriters working for Quebec public broadcaster.
• Groupe TVAcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollective agreement covering screenwriters working for TVA network productions.
• TVOntariominorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollective agreement covering screenwriters working for Ontario's French-language broadcaster.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Writers Guild of Canada: Canadian national guild representing English-language screenwriters in film, television, radio, and digital media. Direct peer to SARTEC, operating under similar statutory accreditation framework as exclusive bargaining agent with Canadian broadcasters and producers.
• Union des artistes (UDA): Quebec professional association representing French-language performing artists (actors, comedians, singers). Direct peer in the Quebec cultural ecosystem, also affiliated with the Fonds des artistes and serving overlapping membership through SARTEC's collective bargaining framework.
• Writers Guild of America (WGA): Largest screenwriter union in the US, representing writers in film, television, radio, and new media. Direct peer with comparable collective bargaining mandate and minimum fee structures; SARTEC participated in supporting WGA during the 2007 strike.
• Alliance of Canadian Cinema, Television and Radio Artists (ACTRA): Canadian national union of professional performers and English-language media workers. Direct peer operating under similar federal accreditation framework, with comparable collective bargaining agreements with Canadian broadcasters.
• Association des réalisateurs et réalisatrices du Québec (ARRQ): Quebec professional association representing French-language directors. Direct peer in the Quebec audiovisual ecosystem and fellow member of the Fonds des artistes under Fondation des artistes; SARTEC and ARRQ collaborate on industry advocacy.
• Société des auteurs et compositeurs dramatiques (SACD): French authors' society managing rights for playwrights, screenwriters, and audiovisual authors. Direct peer across Francophone markets; both organizations are members of CISAC and serve analogous functions for French-language creators in their respective jurisdictions.
• British Writers' Guild: UK trade union representing professional writers across screen, stage, audio, and publishing. Direct peer at the international guild level; both SARTEC and BWG are members of the IAWG international writers' guilds coalition.

Emerging players

• La Guilde française des scénaristes: French association of screenwriters advocating for authors' rights in audiovisual and digital media. Emerging peer with overlapping mandate for French-language screenwriter advocacy; complementary to SARTEC's Canadian scope in the broader Francophone cultural ecosystem.

Regional players

• Guilde des musiciens et musiciennes du Québec (GMMQ): Quebec professional association representing musicians in audiovisual productions. Regional peer in the Quebec cultural ecosystem; fellow Fonds des artistes member and partner in industry advocacy on copyright and cultural policy.
• Regroupement des artistes en arts visuels du Québec (RAAV): Quebec professional association representing visual artists. Regional peer in the broader Quebec arts ecosystem; partner organization under the Fonds des artistes with shared advocacy on cultural policy and artists' rights.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/SARTEC.auteurs
• Instagraminstagram.com/sartec_auteur.e.trice.s
• Xx.com/SARTEC_auteur

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Société des auteurs de radio, télévision et cinéma