BBC Continuing Drama Directors’ Scheme – River City: Apply Now

BBC Drama, supported by BBC Studios and Directors UK, is pleased to announce the third part of their continuing drama directors’ scheme.  

It was announced in September of last year that nine drama directors would be mentored over the following year on one of the BBC’s continuing dramas (Doctors, Holby City, Casualty & River City). 

The BBC are now inviting applications for River City. 

As part of their training, successful candidates will receive a full credit on one episode of the drama. If the director has shown that they can meet the standards required, the show aims to hire them within nine months for a full directorial commission. It is our ambition that this will be the first step of an ongoing partnership with each of these directors; and, as their careers develop, so will their relationship with the BBC and the wider television drama community.

We are looking for directors who are passionate about the show they are applying for. Consequently, candidates should be able to show a solid knowledge of their chosen show if they are invited to interview.

There will be two trainee director spots available on River City and applications are open to anyone who meets the terms and conditions outlined below.

The selection panel will include: Anne Edyvean (Head of BBC Writersroom), Simon Nelson (Development Producer, BBC Writersroom), a team of experienced TV directors and BBC Execs.

Opening date for submissions: 20th March 2018 from 10am

Closing date for submissions: 9th April 2018, 10am

Longlist interviews: 30th April-­11th May 2018

Shortlist interviews: Late May 2018

Final selection notified by: 15th June 2018

Please submit your CV; a pitch of up to one page explaining why you would like to be considered for the BBC River City Directors’ Scheme; and up to 2 hyperlinks to your showreel and/or other supporting materials. You must submit via the BBC Writersroom online submission system – the submission links will be available to access on this page from March 20th.  Please note that your CV and pitch must be submitted in PDF format. 

Apply here.  

Read the full Terms and Conditions of entry for the BBC River City Directors’ Scheme

Please note, E-subs is primarily a portal for script submissions. For the sake of submitting to the Directors’ Scheme, you simply need to enter the title of the scheme in the “Title” box and ignore the “Log line” box altogether. All other fields apply.