Motion Picture & Television Fund (MPTF)
A charitable organization providing health and social services to the motion picture and television community
Overview
The Motion Picture & Television Fund is a charitable organization that has been caring for the entertainment community since 1921. It offers a range of health and social services including a retirement community, outpatient medical services, and financial assistance programs.
MPTF's services extend to anyone who has worked in the motion picture or television industry, regardless of union affiliation. Their campus in Woodland Hills, California, includes a state-of-the-art residential facility and outpatient clinic.
How It Works
Beyond direct care, MPTF runs community outreach programs, support groups, and educational events focused on the unique health challenges faced by entertainment workers. Their social workers specialize in navigating the complexities of industry employment.
Most services are provided at no cost to eligible industry members, funded by donations and the annual MPTF fundraiser events. Financial assistance programs help with medical bills, housing, and other essential needs.
Who Uses It
Whether you are dealing with a health issue, financial hardship, or simply need someone who understands the entertainment lifestyle, MPTF is a compassionate and confidential resource. Their long history of service has helped thousands of industry professionals. The organization also runs the Samuel Goldwyn Foundation Children's Center and community programs that extend support to the families of entertainment workers. MPTF's holistic approach recognizes that health challenges in the entertainment industry often intersect with financial instability, career uncertainty, and the isolation that comes with freelance creative work.
Pricing & Plans
The vast majority of MPTF's services are provided at no cost to eligible entertainment industry professionals, funded by donations, industry partnerships, and annual fundraising events. The Wasserman Campus in Woodland Hills, California, includes a residential care facility where rates are subsidized and adjusted based on the resident's ability to pay, ensuring no qualifying industry member is turned away due to financial circumstances. Outpatient medical and behavioral health services at their health centers are available at no charge or on a sliding scale for eligible industry members. Financial assistance grants for medical bills, housing, and essential needs are provided without repayment obligations. Compared to seeking equivalent services through public social service agencies, MPTF offers faster access, entertainment-industry-specific expertise, and a level of discretion that protects members' professional reputations. The organization's fundraising model, supported by major studios, guilds, and individual industry donors, has sustained operations for over a century and ensures long-term stability of these free services.
Pros & Cons
What's Great
MPTF's century-plus history of serving the entertainment community gives it unmatched institutional knowledge and industry relationships that newer organizations cannot replicate. The Woodland Hills campus is a best-in-class facility that provides residential care, outpatient services, and community programming in a single integrated location. Their social workers specialize exclusively in entertainment industry challenges, which means they understand the nuances of irregular income, health insurance gaps between union eligibility periods, and the emotional toll of public-facing careers. The confidentiality with which MPTF handles cases is exemplary, recognizing that entertainment professionals may be reluctant to seek help if they fear it could affect their professional reputation. Community outreach programs, including support groups and educational events, create a sense of belonging that combats the isolation many freelance entertainment workers experience. The breadth of services, from acute medical care to long-term residential options and financial assistance, means MPTF can support professionals through every stage of need.
What Could Be Better
MPTF's physical services are heavily concentrated in the Los Angeles area, specifically the Woodland Hills campus, which limits accessibility for entertainment professionals based in New York, Atlanta, or other production markets. Eligibility for services requires a verifiable history of employment in the motion picture or television industry, which can exclude newer professionals who have not yet built a substantial work history. The residential care facility, while excellent, has limited capacity and may involve waitlists for admission during high-demand periods. Awareness of MPTF's services among younger entertainment professionals is lower than it should be, meaning many eligible workers do not know to seek help until their situation has become critical. The organization's focus on motion picture and television may leave live theatre professionals feeling that their needs are secondary, even though many cross over between mediums. Some of the community programs and events require travel to the Woodland Hills campus, which can be inconvenient even for Los Angeles residents given the city's notorious traffic and sprawl.
Our Recommendation
We recommend MPTF as an essential resource for any professional working in the motion picture and television industry who needs health services, financial assistance, or retirement care support. It is especially valuable for older industry professionals and retirees who may be facing health challenges, diminishing income, and the loss of industry community that comes with stepping back from active work. Younger professionals should familiarize themselves with MPTF's services early in their careers so they know where to turn if and when they face challenges, rather than discovering the organization only during a crisis. If you work primarily in live theatre, the Entertainment Community Fund and Actors' Equity Health Fund may be more directly relevant to your needs, though MPTF can still serve those who cross over into film and television work. For entertainment professionals based outside of Los Angeles, MPTF's phone-based and virtual services are available, but the full range of in-person programs will require travel to their campus. We encourage every entertainment professional in Southern California to attend at least one MPTF community event to build familiarity with the organization and its staff before they ever need to ask for help.
Pro Tips
Save MPTF's contact number and intake information in your phone now, even if you do not currently need assistance, because knowing where to call during a crisis eliminates a barrier to seeking help when you are most vulnerable. If you are an established industry professional, consider contributing to MPTF through their annual fundraising events, as the organization depends on community support to sustain its free services. Take advantage of MPTF's community events and support groups as a way to build connections with other industry professionals who understand your lifestyle, which can reduce the isolation that often accompanies freelance entertainment work. When recommending MPTF to colleagues in need, emphasize the confidential nature of their services, as fear of professional stigma is one of the biggest barriers to seeking help in the entertainment industry. If you have aging parents or mentors in the entertainment industry, research MPTF's residential care options well in advance of need, as planning ahead leads to better outcomes and shorter wait times. Explore MPTF's behavioral health services proactively rather than waiting for a crisis, as ongoing mental health support can prevent many of the acute problems that drive people to seek emergency assistance.