Directors Digest

Copyright laws, VOD and a fourth Culture Secretary in two years. It’s been another busy week in the industry, and you can read about it all below. 

Television

Creative industry groups, including Directors UK, have expressed their disappoinment at the rejection of a significant new EU copyright law. (Screen International)

Jeremy Wright has been named Culture Secretary — the fourth in two years. (The Stage)

Channel 4 Head of Formats Dom Bird is leaving after six years. (Deadline)

Meanwhile, actor Reese Witherspoon is launching her own VOD Channel. (The Hollywood Reporter)

Rupert Murdoch has won government clearance for a takeover of Sky. (Guardian)

And according to The Hollywood Reporter, bidding for Endemol Shine is heating up. 

Film

A report has found that the UK film industry suffers from lack of investor understanding. (Screen International)

Screen asks the question: “Why does the UK not have an independent cinemas association?” 

Claude Lanzmann, director of Shoah, passed away aged 92. (Guardian)

With an increasingly diverse AMPAS, could Black Panther redefine what is considered awards-worthy? (The Hollywood Reporter)

And finally, Steve McQueen’s Widows is set to open this year’s London Film Festival. (Little White Lies)

Are you a member with an opinion on one of these stories? Is there an issue affecting directors that you think isn’t getting enough attention in the media? Why not write for us and make yourself heard — email [email protected] with your article idea.