Directors Digest — Friday 07 March 2025

In the news this week, new research shows policies from other countries could dramatically improve UK creative freelancers’ financial security, Bectu calls for action to ensure crew have sufficient rest breaks, and how the niche indie-hit Hundreds of Beavers grossed $1 million at the box office.

Read about it in this week’s Digest.

News

•  Innovative tax and benefits policies could dramatically improve financial security for TV freelancers in the UK and reverse a mass exodus of talent from the sector, new research shows. (C21 Media) Andy Harrower, CEO of Directors UK, said: “78% of screen directors feel their income is unstable, according to our own research. Make Freelancing Pay furthers the argument that there is an urgent need to support creative freelancers in earning a stable living. Importantly, it offers real world ideas for how those in power could use tax and benefits policies to make significant impact to the creators struggling to sustain a viable career.” More on the findings here.

•  The Trades Union Congress (TUC) a federation of trade unions across England and Wales that includes Equity and Bectu, has called for an independent regulator to oversee and regulate the integration of AI into society and work and the creation of a creative industry AI taskforce. (Screen)

•  Bectu is calling for action to ensure crew have sufficient rest break after research flagged widespread issue of unhealthy working hours. (Broadcast)

•  Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy has said that the BBC's review of Gaza: How To Survive A Warzone needs to “include a robust financial audit and address concerns raised (by MPs) on translation.” (Independent)

•  Syeda Irtizaali to step up as interim BBC unscripted director. (Broadcast)

•  Tim Davie, BBC Director General, has told a Parliamentary committee he was “open minded” on a continental-style streamer levy as one source of funding for the public broadcaster. (Advanced Television)

•  Edinburgh TV Festival will hold regional town hall meetings, designed to expand the pool of people helping to the shape the event and boost opportunities for the industry to engage. (Broadcast)

Features

• How niche indie-hit Hundreds of Beavers grossed $1 million at the box office. (IndieWire)

Awards

•  The winners of this year’s Oscars were announced this week, congratulations to all the winners and nominees. See the full list of winners here. (The Hollywood Reporter) We recently hosted Best Director-winner Sean Baker on the Directors UK Podcast, where he shared his unique approach to directing as an independent filmmaker. Listen to the conversation now.