🚨Deadline Extended! Members working in Unscripted have until Wednesday 24 June to apply for our Unscripted Career Consultancy workshop. Supercharge your professional profile and set yourself up to take the next steps in your career. More Info: https://ow.ly/prr150Zf6wm

News for directors, directly to you. This week, the BBC plans to cut 550 roles across its Content, Nations and News teams, industry experts discuss why Hollywood productions are moving to the UK, and Sheffield DocFest winners unveiled. Read more in our weekly Digest: https://ow.ly/iFiK50ZcNO3

In the latest episode of the #DirectorsUKPodcast, Alicia Macdonald sits down with Mike Leigh to speak about making her feature film debut with #FindingEmily. Listen Now: https://ow.ly/AO8U50Zcjz6

Directors UK CEO Andy Harrower has responded to the news that £80m in commissioning spend is to be cut across the BBC Content, Nations and News teams this year, with some programmes to be closed: https://ow.ly/j38W50ZcNh0

Former Directors UK Chair Beryl Richards has been awarded an MBE for services to Children’s Television! Beryl joined the board in 2011, and was Chair from 2015-17. Her work and advocacy continue to have an impact on many directors’ lives: https://ow.ly/jkvR50Zayu8

News for directors, directly to you. This week, Reclaim The Frame launches talent programme for women and marginalised gender directors, the Sundance Institute Directors Lab announces its 2026 cohort, and Rhodri Talfan Davies is appointed the BBC’s deputy director general: https://ow.ly/IBiR50Z9WCJ

Join us for our next member meeting! Booking is now open for our 2026 AGM and member meeting. Hear about our work, ask questions and connect with fellow members. When: Thursday 25 June, 6.30pm Where: Online or In Person Book Now: https://ow.ly/CjU150Z6ymZ

We were proud to be present at CISAC's General Assembly last week, for the adoption of The Paris Commitment — a set of principles urging for human creators to remain protected, recognised and fairly remunerated in the AI era. More Info: https://ow.ly/AGa150Z9kAY

News for directors, directly to you. This week, how the “silence gap” on British TV productions costs crews, the BFI lobbies ministers to exclude screen industries from US trade deals, and industry looks at how online gen Z directors have stormed Hollywood: https://ow.ly/z05T50Z78Ux

Attending Sheffield DocFest? 🥐Join us for a relaxed networking breakfast bringing together documentary filmmakers and festival attendees. When: Friday 12 June, 9am - 10am Where: Hadfield Hall (inside Cutlers’ Hall) RSVP: https://ow.ly/hIgC50Z6zcw

News for directors, directly to you. This week, the BFI announces £11.85 million in funding to support skills development and training, We Are Parable reveals its 2026 Momentum programme cohort, and the Best Director prize at Cannes is tied Read more in our weekly Digest: https://ow.ly/8gHQ50Z4Oz8

News for directors, directly to you. This week, the Grierson Trust and Norma Percy launch a grant for documentaries, leading directors call on the EU to continue supporting cinema, and more. Read more in our weekly Digest: https://ow.ly/GNe250YYRZh

This Mental Health Awareness Week, the The Film And TV Charity is asking the screen industry to speak up. The 2026 Looking Glass Survey is now live and it’s the UK’s only long‑running study tracking mental health across film, TV, and cinema. 👉 Take the survey: https://ow.ly/UUEc50YXyBx

We’ve just paid out our largest international distribution - £4.46 million in payments to 2,616 Directors UK members for the re-use of their work overseas. Curious about the work that goes into our international distributions? Find out how we turn credits to payments: https://ow.ly/eqh350YVGH1

News for directors, directly to you. This week, the Academy announces rule changes, BAFTA Breakthrough applications open to support emerging talent in film and TV, and microbudget filmmakers discuss how they fund projects. Read more in our weekly Digest: https://ow.ly/U4VW50YVsxC

Bectu has begun a series of demonstrations and leafleting actions as part of its Broken Turnaround campaign, shining a light on the long working hours that routinely cut into crew members’ rest periods. Directors UK members share your thoughts on the campaign: https://ow.ly/Ikht50YV01G

In the news this week… 🗞️ ScreenSkills launches new report which identifies unscripted TV directors as one of the hardest mid-level roles to fill 🗞️2026 BAFTA TV Craft Awards winners are unveiled Read more in this week’s Digest: https://directors.uk.com/news/directors-digest-thursday-30-april-2026/

Congratulations to all the winners at the 2026 BAFTA TV Craft Awards! Special shout out to Directors UK members Philip Barantini and Rob Coldstream for winning Best Director: Fiction and Best Director: Factual.

In the news this week… 🗞️ Northern Ireland Screen launches four-year plan for the next phase of growth across screen industries 🗞️ Film and TV bodies call on the EU for €2.83 billion to support the audiovisual sector Read More: https://ow.ly/McwB50YOuBc

Today we published an open letter signed by the directors of Slow Horses, Peaky Blinders, The Crown, F1: Drive To Survive, Last One Laughing + more, calling on the streamers to conclude negotiations over royalties. deadline.com/2026/04/uk-d...

In his latest blog, Directors UK Head of Industry Relations Paul Evans explores how some directors miss out on holiday pay simply down to employers' administrative policy, and why that needs to change. Read more on our website: ow.ly/513x50XqtvI

Although the majority of working UK directors are members of Directors UK, we still allocate royalty payments to those yet to sign up. 🔎Recognize anyone on our Unregistered Directors List? Please let them know we are trying to get in touch. View List: ow.ly/JRmH50Xr2bH

In the news this week... 🗞️ITV has said it is in preliminary discussions to sell its broadcasting business to Sky 🗞️BAFTA albert has published a new report and practical guide to sustainability for film and TV production. ... read about it in this week's Digest: ow.ly/JhOr50Xr0Co

The Royal Television Society has revealed the nominations for the RTS Craft & Design Awards 2025. 🏆Congrats to all those nominated, including members Brian Welsh, Charlie Hamilton James, Janet Fraser Crook, Julia Ford, Lance Kneeshaw, Luke Sewell, Luned Tonderai, Nikki Parsons, and Sophie Oliver!

BAFTA albert has published a new report and practical guide to sustainability for film and TV production. The report gives a series of twelve recommendations on how production teams can reduce the industry’s carbon emissions and environmental impact.

This Bullying Awareness Week, The Film and TV Charity has released a report on bullying, harassment, and discrimination in the UK screen industries: ow.ly/Qz1b50XpXqs

This weekend, Ryan Coogler joined Directors UK members for a special screening of #Sinners, followed by a discussion with Destin Daniel Cretton where he shared his creative journey as a director and his unique, genre-bending approach to the craft. 📸Christopher Andreou

“Making anything is such hard work and if I can’t pour my heart and soul into something then I tend to say no. You have to dedicate everything to it, and if you don’t believe in it why would the audience?” -Udayan Prasad #FromOurArchives

We're looking forward to the final of #TheCelebrityTraitors tonight! Back in 2024 we sat down with Series Director Ben Archard and Missions Director James Tyndall, to discuss what it takes to direct a show like #TheTraitors. Read Now: ow.ly/k1MI50Xgekk

“The idea of somebody saying to me that women in their 50s can’t make feature films? I mean, honestly… That just pumps me up to move them out of the way really.” -Jules Williamson #FromOurArchives from 2021 when we spoke to director Jules Williamson on her film Off The Rails: ow.ly/cVQT50XnHPw

CISAC has released its latest Global Collections Report, showing encouraging continued growth in collections for audiovisual works. Royalties for creators must be safeguarded and strengthened—they area vital source of support for working directors. An important read: ow.ly/916i50XnFpC

In the latest episode of the #DirectorsUKPodcast, Daisy-May Hudson joins Alex Kalymnios to discuss her debut feature #Lollipop. Hear about her unconventional path into directing, her creative process, and her approach to working with non-professional actors. Listen now: ow.ly/vfS150XmmYw

"Constantly learning and being curious is one of the reasons I feel privileged to direct.” -Julie Anne Robinson #FromOurArchives from when we spoke to the directors behind Bridgerton all the way back in 2021: ow.ly/OkwU50XmZtU

We’ve had some incredible directors join us recently on the Directors UK Podcast, with more on the horizon. Subscribe so you never miss an episode, and if you’ve been enjoying the conversations, please leave us a review: ow.ly/QxCo50XmnfR

Voting has now opened for the 21st annual Televisual Bulldog Awards that celebrate the very best of British creativity. The awards are decided by an industry wide vote, so make your voice heard: ow.ly/Mc6b50Xmo3s

The nominees for the for the 2025 British Independent Film Awards (@bifa-film.bsky.social) have just been announced🎊 Congratulations to Directors UK members Kirk Jones and Lynne Ramsay for their nominations! Click below to see the full list of nominees 👇

We're having some technical issues with the newsletter this morning - but you can still catch up with all the news and events from Directors UK on our website! Head to directors.uk.com/events and directors.uk.com/news to see what's new.

Last night, Nadia Latif joined Directors UK members for a screening of #TheManInMyBasement, followed by a fascinating discussion with George Amponsah on the work that went into directing her feature film debut. Thanks to everyone who joined us for a great evening! 📸Jon Cartwright

Film entries are now open for Sheffield DocFest 2026! Next year, they’re introducing The Football Documentary Award, celebrating exceptional storytelling about the beautiful game ⚽ The earlybird deadline for submissions is Fri 21 Nov

In our latest episode of the #DirectorsUKPodcast, Academy Award-winning director Kathryn Bigelow joins fellow director Peter Straughan for an in-depth conversation about her explosive new film #AHouseOfDynamite 🎧 Listen now wherever you get your podcasts: ow.ly/SQG950Xh0Ye

🎈It’s a big day for Hollyoaks, the iconic soap turns 30! To celebrate, we asked our members to share memories of their time working on the show, what it has meant to them as directors, and why it continues to be such an important part of our industry. Read their thoughts: ow.ly/Gueq50XgRQu

#TheCelebrityTraitors? We're reminiscing on when we sat down with Ben Archard and James Tyndall back in 2024, to discuss what it takes to direct a show like #TheTraitors Read More: ow.ly/X3cH50XgbvQ

Directors UK members enjoyed an inspirational conversation last night with Daisy-May Hudson, speaking to Alex Kalymnios on Lollipop. Thanks to Daisy-May for joining us to share her unique journey into directing, and her approach to the craft.

Award-winning Deaf director Samuel Dore leads a masterclass for members on working with Deaf actors + portraying Deaf culture on screen. Samuel will also be joined by Luke Snellin, director of "Reunion", to discuss how he worked with his Deaf cast. More: directors.uk.com/career-devel...

Lisa Nandy MP, Secretary of State for Culture, confirms she intends to make a statement to Parliament on the future of the copyright framework by the end of the year. This is in response to @rachaelmaskell.bsky.social, who raised the issue of creators’ rights and AI on behalf of an SoA member.

"Three quarters of jobs secured by creative industry workers in the last 18 months came through a friend or contact, according to new figures released as part of Bectu’s Big Survey." bectu.org.uk/news/three-q...

Loved the #frankenstein screening today! Thank you @directors-uk.bsky.social 🫶🏻 Beautiful film! Incredible QnA between Guillermo abd Alfonso! Screen titans! Fabulous event. 🎥 #directors #filmmaking #film #directing #movies

An unforgettable night last night at the @directors-uk.bsky.social screening of Frankenstein. Not only were we lucky enough to see the film early, but it was followed by a Q&A with @realgdt.bsky.social AND Alfonso Cuarón!! And then I even got to say a quick hello to Guillermo afterwards. (1/2)

Kathryn Bigelow joined Directors UK members last night for a special screening of A House Of Dynamite, followed by an inspiring conversation with Peter Straughan on her fearless approach to directing. Thanks to everyone who joined us for an explosive evening! 📸Christopher Andreou

“Directors see things that other people – and AI programmes – don’t. Their vision is something that AI will never replace.” deadline.com/2025/10/dire...