Directors Digest — Fri 6 June 2025

In the news this week, the Data Bill continues to bounce between the House of Commons and the House of Lords, Bafta has announced an industry programme of events to promote climate change awareness, and Disney has laid off hundreds of staff members across TV, film and finance globally.

Read about it in this week’s digest.

News

•  The Data (Use and Access) Bill faces the prospect of being shelved, as it continues to ‘ping-pong’ between the House of Commons and the House of Lords on grounds of AI transparency amendments, introduced by Directors UK member Baroness Beeban Kidron. (Guardian) Culture secretary Lisa Nandy has committed to a series of roundtables with the creative industries to help draft further AI legislation once the data bill has passed by parliament. (Screen)

•  The Creative Diversity Network released their latest report into diversity and inclusion across UK television, Diamond: The Seven Point Five Cut Report. (Creative Diversity Network) Directors UK CEO Andy Harrower responds: “Another Diamond report where a few notable positives mask a lack of progress in many areas. The major UK broadcasters acknowledge that there is more work to do, but real change will only happen when they provide clear plans to address the systemic issues that prevent progression and opportunity for so many people from underrepresented groups. This isn’t going to be solved by relying on placements alone.”

•  Bafta has announced the Green Light Season, an industry programme of events in partnership with BAFTA albert aimed at promoting climate change awareness through sustainable production practices and climate storytelling. (Televisual)

•  A scammer has been reported to both the FBI and UK cybercrime agency after posing as well-known TV executives and asking writers to send them up to £2,500 to help get their scripts developed. (Deadline)

•  Disney has laid off several hundred staff across its TV, film and finance divisions around the world. (Deadline)

•  StudioCanal is shuttering Red Production Company, after 30 years. (Broadcast)

•  Tim Davie has said the BBC is open to the scope of the licence fee changing and its funding model becoming more progressive, as he set out what a successful charter renewal looks like. (Broadcast)

Director Interviews

•  As her debut receives a UK premiere as part of the BFI's Black Debutants season, Miami filmmaker Monica Sorelle reflects on the making of Mountains. (Little White Lies)

•  Australian stop-motion animator Adam Elliot on Memoir of a Snail. (Sight and Sound)