Directors Digest — 9 October 2019

Mega deals for old sitcoms, BAFTA tweaks its rules, a look back to before films were big business, and some big news from, er, Directors UK — it’s all in this week’s Digest. 

Industry

The news is out! Directors UK CEO Andrew Chowns is retiring. (Broadcast)

Film

Vulture gifts us an in-depth interview with Parasite director Bong Joon-ho.

UK film producer Alison Owen speaks out about sexism in the film industry. (Screen)

Michael Winterbottom talks to the Guardian about his battles with Sony over his new film, Greed.

Before films were big business, women had a lot more power in Hollywood — what happened? (Shondaland)

Three years in post, on-set flooding and a determined director — Deadline looks at the making of Fanny Lye Deliver’d.

Television

The BBC has outlined its radical plans to revamp iPlayer. (Screen)

BAFTA has changed its Awards criteria so that programmes that make their bow in the US are eligible. (Variety)

Tim Carter has been appointed to run TwoFour in a newly created role, Televisual reports. 

Meanwhile, Amy Flanagan has joined BBC Studios to lead its documentary unit. (TBI Vision)

And finally, TV streamers are forking out huge sums for old sitcoms — The Guardian explores how and why. 

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.