Directors Digest — Friday 18 August 2023

Iranian filmmaker Saeed Roustayi has been jailed, the National Television Awards announces its 2023 shortlist, and ITV hires its first Access Coordinator. Read the latest industry headlines below.

News

_{Image via The Guardian}

Iranian director Saeed Roustayi has been jailed following the screening of his film Leila’s Brothers at Cannes Film Festival. (The Guardian)

ITV hires its first Access Coordinator. (Televisual)

BBC Studios’ factual division announces it will launch a specialist factual production unit. (Broadcast)

Awards

The National Television Awards 2023 shortlist is revealed (Radio Times) — congratulations to those whose work is nominated!

Director Interviews

Ira Sachs talks his new film Passsages during a Q&A at Film at Lincoln Centre. 

Susan Seidelman (Smithereens, Desperately Seeking Susan) revisits her career in an interview with IndieWire.

Deadline launches a streaming site for the panels from its annual Contenders Television: The Nominees awards-season event, featuring Q&As with Mark Mylod (Succession), Alex Pritz (The Territory), and more.

Features

_{Image via Little White Lies.}

To coincide with the new BFI season, Little White Lies explores the cinematic legacy of Senegalese filmmaker Ousmane Sembène.

Screen Daily speaks to film and TV workers about the impact of the SAG-AFTRA strikes on the UK industry.