Directors Digest — Friday 15 September 2023

This week, Pact publishes its annual census, and the BBC, Channel 4 and NFTS unveil their freelancer support programme. Read the latest industry news below.

News

The Pact Census shows the huge growth experienced in UK production in 2022 before strikes in the US and a commissioning slowdown from UK broadcasters took hold. (Televisual)

The BBC, C4 and NFTS freelance support programme kicks off. (Broadcast)

BAFTA announces they will close their Children’s Awards as part of a rebranding. (Broadcast)

Newly re-elected SAG-AFTRA president Fran Drescher addresses crowds In a recent LA rally. (Screen International)

Former Edinburgh Filmhouse staff create a fundraising campaign to secure the cinema’s future. (Screen International)

Features

Screen International explores the pros and cons of AI for the independent film sector.

Also for Screen, Ben Dalton asks: what impact is Israel’s political turmoil having on the country’s film industry?

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IndieWire presents 9 books all aspiring directors should read.

Opinion

‘We are making progress on accessibility, but there’s still work to do’ — Access Coordinator Julie Fernandez writes for Broadcast. Learn more about working with an Access Coordinator in our upcoming workshop.

‘Digital commissioning could offer freelancers hope in uncertain times’ — Adam Jacobs writes for Broadcast.

‘There are some silver linings for PSBs in the Ofcom Media Nations Report’ — Nick Swimmer writes for Broadcast.

Director Interviews

For Deadline’s ‘Miramax Presents The Film That Lit My Fuse’, Gregg Araki talks about the impact David Lynch’s Twin Peaks had on him as a filmmaker. Watch the interview here.