During the non-union shoot in San Francisco, crew members struck and were joined by star Sarah Polley, who walked the picket line. Striking crew members report that they were quite touched by her action, which was more than a gesture, but rather a sincere belief in workers' rights. On her part, Polley called her union, the Screen Actors Guild, to tell them of her action, and the union representative told her they'd back her if she crossed the picket line. SAG assumed that she was calling to ask whether she could defy the strike and cross the picket line! A shocked and dismayed Polley stayed out with the strikers, and the strike ended after three days when their grievances were met. Subsequently, Polley has stated that she has been told that she lost several job offers due to this incident as producers don't want a union 'militant' despite the film industry being a craft industry dominated by the guild (union) system and she did what she felt was right.
Guinevere (1999) was a 1999 Sundance Film Festival Jury Prize nominee. It won the Waldo Salt Screenwriting Award for Audrey Wells' screenplay, which she shared with Frank Whaley's script for Joe the King (1999). It was also entered into the 21st Moscow International Film Festival.
With the exception of some exterior shots in the Pacific Heights neighborhood of San Francisco, Guinevere (1999) was mostly shot in Los Angeles.
Feature directorial debut for screenwriter Audrey Wells whose most noted work includes The Truth About Cats & Dogs (1996).
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