Kenan Thompson’s co-founded production company has been named in a California lawsuit over an entertainment investment dispute.
Artists for Artists DE LLC, also known as AFA, is the film and television production company co-founded by the actor and comedian. The company has been named in a civil complaint filed in the Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles by Shwin Productions LLC.
The lawsuit, filed against Artists for Artists DE LLC and John Ryan Jr., centres on an investment agreement that Shwin Productions says was entered into in August 2025.
According to the complaint, Shwin Productions later invested more than $583,000 into Artists for Artists. The filing claims the investment came with rights to financial records, company updates, project accounting information, and revenue details connected to entertainment projects developed during the investment period.
The dispute focuses heavily on the business side of film and television production. While audiences usually see the finished project on screen, production companies often rely on private investment, project financing, revenue sharing, and back-end participation before a film or series ever reaches viewers.
Shwin Productions alleges that Artists for Artists failed to provide financial statements, project accounting records, cap table information, member reports, and other company records it claims were required under the agreement.
One project named in the filing is Good Sports. According to the complaint, Shwin Productions alleges that Artists for Artists generated revenue from projects developed during the investment period, including Good Sports, but did not distribute revenue shares that Shwin Productions claims were required under the agreement.
The complaint estimates that at least $240,000 may be owed in connection with Good Sports. Shwin Productions also alleges that the full amount cannot be determined without a complete accounting of company records.
The lawsuit also claims that statements made during disputes over financial disclosures harmed potential business relationships and future entertainment investment opportunities. The complaint references opportunities involving people and ventures connected to Range Media Partners, as well as other film and television industry projects.
Shwin Productions brings claims for breach of contract, accounting, breach of the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing, defamation, and intentional interference with prospective economic advantage.
The company is seeking damages, recovery of allegedly unpaid revenue shares, a court ordered accounting, and other relief.
The case was filed under Case No. 26VECV03619 in the Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles.
The allegations are claims made by Shwin Productions in a civil complaint. The defendants have not yet filed a response in court, and no court has ruled on the merits of the claims.
