Becoming an ACE member

ACE Membership is by invitation only
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ACE members represent highest standards of character and achievement in the art and craft of film editing as well as a collegial spirit of participation and diversity in the ACE community, including a commitment to our shared goal of elevating the prestige, dignity and working conditions of all film editors.
The ACE Membership Committee and the ACE Board of Directors
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ACE  MEMBERSHIP GUIDELINES 

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1. IMDB

Editors applying for ACE membership are encouraged to review their IMDB information and keep it up-to-date.
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2. 72 MONTHS

The required number of months to apply for membership is now a minimum of 72 months.
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3. CREDIT GUIDELINES

The editor must have been employed a minimum of 72 months as an editor of either feature-length motion pictures or television (one-half hour or more in length) for which they received screen credit in main or main end titles.
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  • Shared credits in the MAIN TITLE and MAIN END TITLE count as full credits.
  • Associate Editor and Additional Editor credits do not count.
  • Non-Scripted and Animation credits may be calculated differently.
  • All credits are subject to peer review.
  • ACE does not accept credits on trailers, commercials, infomercials, news or live TV shows with an “editorial pass”
    to meet length or language requirements only.
  • We do not accept credits on films, TV or webisodes that air in a format shorter than 30 minutes, “the making of” videos,
    or “TV Specials” such as award shows.
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4. THREE YEARS

One must be an ACTIVE ACE Member in good standing for three years before writing a sponsorship letter for a new member candidate. LIFE Members may also write sponsorship letters.
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5. ONE PER YEAR

Members may only sponsor one candidate per calendar year.
Sponsorship letters must be current, dated within one year of the interview date. (If more time has elapsed when the interview is scheduled, Membership Committee shall contact sponsor and ask them to renew and re-validate their endorsement.)
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6. LETTERS CURRENT

Sponsorship letters must be current, dated within one year of the interview date. (If more time has elapsed when the interview is scheduled, Membership Committee shall contact sponsor and ask them to renew and re-validate their endorsement.)
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7. SPONSORSHIP GUIDELINES

Each candidate for membership shall present two letters of sponsorship from ACTIVE or LIFE Members with first-hand knowledge of the applicant. We strongly recommend that, when possible, one letter be from an ACE member with whom the applicant has worked. Both letters must be at least 100 words in length.
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8. RELATIVES

If one of the two sponsors is related to the applicant, a third letter is required.
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Once the application is submitted, a three-step process follows:
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1. The applicants are interviewed in person by the ACE Membership Committee.
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2. Applicants recommended by the Committee are submitted to the ACE Board of Directors.
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3. Names of applicants approved by the ACE Board of Directors are submitted to the membership-at-large for a 30-day period during which members may submit a well founded objection to inviting the applicant to join.

Member objections are reviewed by the Board.
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There is a non-refundable application fee of $50. A one-time initiation fee of $1500 (installments okay). Yearly dues are $400. The ACE Board of Directors also reserves the right to invite film editors of distinction directly to become ACE member.

Start ACE Member Application

After fee payment, you will be immediately redirected to the online application.

Classifications of ACE Membership
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Active ACE Members –  those currently working as editors.

Affiliate Members – those in a professional positions in the industry who do not yet qualify for active membership.

Life Members – retired members who have been voted a Life membership by the Board of Directors.

Honorary Members – non-editors who have distinguished themselves in the industry as determined by the Board of Directors.
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