Keynote announcement: opening the day of conversation at the Directors UK festival is keynote speaker Asif Kapadia, the Academy Award-winning director, screenwriter and producer: https://directors.uk.com/member-benefits/whats-on/directors-uk-festival-2026

In the news this week, women directors call for a gender overhaul of the film industry, Hollywood creatives train AI to “dig the grave” of their professions, Pedro Almodóvar discusses his riskiest film. Read more: https://ow.ly/hXIC50ZFxzv

In the news for directors this week; Jaldeep Katwala discusses why the BBC’s job cuts will have a hidden impact on diversity and freelancers, LFF official competition lineup is unveiled, and Dylan Meyer talks texture in her directorial debut. Read more: https://ow.ly/IZXH50ZBqYp

Director Jennifer Sheridan and writer Sarah Quintrell will be joining us for an exclusive masterclass, unpacking their work on The Other Bennet Sister in a conversation moderated by director Laura Scrivano. For Premium and Advanced members. Mon 7 Sept, 6.30pm Online More: https://ow.ly/7IrH50ZznOR

In the news this week, Women in Film & TV UK launches Short Film Fund supporting women and non-binary filmmakers, and Tony director Matt Johnson shares how he avoided the biopic trap with his new film about Anthony Bourdain. Read more: https://ow.ly/WLff50ZyZ9b

Keynote announcement: Baroness Beeban Kidron will be interviewed by Directors UK Chair Karen Kelly on the topic of creative authority, authorship, and why directors matter in a digital age. Tickets are free for Directors UK Premium members. 📅Sat 12 Sep More: https://ow.ly/yySu50ZzmmV

We’re on the lookout for a Royalties Assistant (9 months FTC) to help our Distribution team collect and process data on British film and TV productions. Apply by Friday 21 August More: https://ow.ly/lMPB50Zy1Tk

This week's headlines for directors; the West Midlands is designated as the eighth official regional production hub, Kate Dolan navigates building her career as a women in horror, and Gregg Araki chats queer resistance in film: https://ow.ly/RfQ150ZwyYA

Five weeks to go until Directors UK Festival! Programmed from the perspective of film and TV directors, book now to join the conversation on the day. Join us in person in London or online on Saturday 12 September More: https://ow.ly/jHQS50ZwZui

This week's headlines for directors; new Diamond report reveals the proportion of women directors is stagnating, Screen Scotland explores a new TV festival in Edinburgh, and Imran Perretta delves into his debut feature #Ish. Read more: https://ow.ly/mjrV50Zujsc

Tim van Someren directed the opening and closing ceremonies of the FIFA World Cup 2026. He spoke to us about his very British training ground, and why so many of the world's biggest live broadcasts are directed by British Directors. Read more: https://ow.ly/AKaY50ZtnaE

Taskmaster recently aired its 21st series. Over 11-years, the comedy panel game show has seen great success, with Andy Devonshire directing all 197 episodes. We caught up with Andy on how he crafts and refreshes the show after over a decade: https://ow.ly/1NuC50ZshBT

This week's headlines for directors; Lisa Nandy leads a refreshed DCMS, Christopher Nolan reflects on his Odyssey journey, and the Grierson Awards longlist is unveiled. Read about all this and more in the Directors Digest: https://ow.ly/Mx5s50Zrihy

We're on the lookout for a Member Services Coordinator (FTC - 12 Months), to support with the delivery and organisation of our events and skills activity for our members. Apply by Monday 27 July (5pm). More: https://ow.ly/IbEG50ZrmaB

Directors are the creative heartbeat of every film and TV programme. Today, we’ve launched a refreshed brand and website to support our work in representing Directors’ interests. directors.uk.com

News for directors, directly to you. seals the deal to acquire ITV, DCMS leaves X in protest at misinformation, and a survey reveals young people believe that traditional screen entertainment shapes culture more than digital content: https://ow.ly/htpZ50ZlWcn Sky

Directors Digest — Thursday 9 July 2026 | Directors UK

Sky seals the deal to acquire ITV, DCMS leaves X in protest at misinformation, and a survey reveals young people believe that traditional screen entertainment shapes culture more than digital content.

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The British Council has relaunched the Travel Grant Fund with £623,000 to support filmmakers with work selected for international film festivals, labs and co-production forums. https://ow.ly/Fol350ZlVls

British Council relaunches £623,000 Travel Grant Fund to support international festival, lab attendance

Travel Grant Fund will complement UKGSF's Festival Launch Support Fund.

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News for directors, directly to you. This week, Comcast plans to separate into two companies via a spinoff of NBCUniversal and Sky, and the UK government announces likely intervention in the Paramount-Warner Bros. takeover. Read more in our weekly Digest: https://ow.ly/LCf250ZjwXw

This week, the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Freelancers met for their first evidence session in Parliament, exploring how to better support freelancers. Read more: https://ow.ly/21mM50Zjxk9

🚨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