Directors UK

18/06/2026

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 the 2026 Sheffield DocFest Award winners are unveiled.

Read more in our weekly Digest: https://ow.ly/hCc650ZcNO4

18/06/2026

In the latest episode of the , Alicia Macdonald sits down with Mike Leigh to speak about making her feature film debut with Finding Emily.

Alicia shares her creative process, and how she gave a fresh spin on the romantic comedy in this love-letter to one of the coolest cities in the UK.

Listen Now: https://ow.ly/rPC850Zcjz4

17/06/2026

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/QRKp50ZcNi2

13/06/2026

Former Directors UK Chair Beryl Richards has been awarded an MBE in the King’s Birthday Honours List for services to Children’s Television.

Beryl joined the board of Directors UK in 2011, and was Chair from 2015-17. During that time, she led our gender equality work, publishing two crucial research reports on women directors’ representation. This led to the creation of initiatives aimed at providing greater access and opportunity to women directors, and these reports are still referenced today. For her gender equality campaigning work in the UK and globally, Beryl won the 2016 Women in Film & TV ITV Achievement of the Year award.

Beryl’s work and advocacy continue to have an impact on many directors’ lives and Directors UK wholeheartedly extends our congratulations to Beryl on receiving this honour!

Read More: https://ow.ly/grKb50Zayu5

11/06/2026

News for directors, directly to you.

This week, Reclaim The Frame launches a talent development 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.

Read more in our weekly Digest: https://ow.ly/IwT950Z9WCB

10/06/2026

Join us for our next member meeting!

Booking is now open for our 2026 AGM and member meeting, where CEO Andy Harrower and Chair Karen Kelly will reflect on our achievements over the last year, and discuss the work we’re currently doing on your behalf.

There will also be the chance to ask questions and connect with fellow members.

When: Thursday 25 June, 6.30pm
Where: Online or In Person

Book Now: https://ow.ly/ZVQb50Z6yn0

10/06/2026

Great initiative here from Reclaim The Frame for women and marginalised gender film directors and producers returning to work after a career break.

More info 👇

Introducing Back in the Frame 📣

Applications are now open for our new six-month talent development programme supporting women and marginalised gender film directors and producers returning to work after a career break.

Delivered with support from Sony Pictures Television International Production, Back in the Frame responds to a significant challenge facing the UK screen industries: the loss of experienced mid-career talent due to caring responsibilities, health-related breaks, burnout and limited return-to-work pathways.

Participants will receive:

✨ Three in-person Labs in London
🤝 A bespoke one-to-one mentoring session
💬 Group coaching and peer support
🌐 Industry networking opportunities
🎥 Sessions with contributors from across development, commissioning, production, sales, distribution, legal and HR

The programme is free to apply for and participate in.

We're looking for experienced UK-based directors and producers working across fiction and documentary film who are ready to reconnect with the industry.

🔗 reclaimtheframe.org/back-in-the-frame
📅 Applications close: 6 July 2026 (10am)

09/06/2026

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 governments, technology companies and cultural industries to ensure human creators remain protected, recognised and fairly remunerated in the AI era.

To mark the launch of the principles, international creators reflected on the role creativity plays in human life, identity and culture. Directors UK member Jim Loach's shared, "I think of the great people like Harry Belafonte, who said that ‘artists are the gatekeepers of truth where civilizations anchor. We are the compass for humanity’s conscience.”

Creators, rights organisations and supporters around the world are now invited to add their names to the Paris Commitment through a public signing campaign.

More Info: https://ow.ly/g1QT50Z9kAW

04/06/2026

News for directors, directly to you.

This week, research spotlights how the “silence gap” on British TV productions costs crew, the BFI lobbies ministers to exclude screen industries from US trade deals, and industry looks at how online gen Z directors have stormed Hollywood.

Read more in our weekly Digest: https://ow.ly/qVCl50Z78TM

02/06/2026

Directors UK members!

Join us for a Q&A and networking event with Sony Music Publishing.

Connect with fellow songwriters and producers over a networking breakfast. Build new relationships, exchange ideas, and grow your creative network.

Whether you're looking to land more opportunities, better understand the industry, or get clear answers to the questions you've always wanted to ask, this is your chance to hear directly from the experts and gain valuable insight.

When: Tuesday 9 June, 10.30am – 12pm
Where: Central London
Book Now: https://ow.ly/q8Cz50Z6xS6