Directors UK

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

02/06/2026

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/xF7B50Z6zcu

28/05/2026

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/h47o50Z4Oz6

21/05/2026

News for directors, directly to you.

This week, Channel 4 sets a review into Married at First Sight UK, a Dogma UK filmmaking programme is greenlit, and women directors struggle to break the “auteur glass ceiling” at Cannes.

Read more in our weekly Digest:

Channel 4 sets a review into Married at First Sight UK, a Dogma UK filmmaking programme is greenlit, and women directors struggle to break the “auteur glass ceiling” at Cannes.