Directors Digest — Friday 5 July 2024

This week, the industry reacts to Labour’s election win, British actors union Equity presents updated demands to PACT, and horror directors react to The Blair Witch Project turning 25.

Read all about it in this week’s digest below. 

News

The industry reacts to Labour's election win. (Deadline) Our CEO Andy Harrower has represented some of the key asks of UK directors in this article, calling on Labour ministers to introduce a series of measures that would “make a real improvement to the working lives of the UK’s freelance film and TV directors.”

British actors union Equity seeks residuals revamp and an end to the misuse of “special stipulations” from American buyers. (Deadline) 

The Berlin Film Festival launches a new competitive section for debut films. (Deadline) 

Mubi chief content officer Jason Ropell shares ambitions to scale up auteur and independent films across theatres and streaming. (Screen Daily) 

Features

How Counterpoints Arts is working directly with refugees to bring greater authenticity to migration stories on screen. (Variety) 

Opinion

The Blair Witch Project turns 25. Robert Eggers, Jane Schoenbrun, and seven more horror directors explore its terrifying legacy. (IndieWire) 

How streamers can unlock platform efficiencies to boost video streaming performance, sustainability, and cost savings. (TV Tech) 

Director Interviews

Payal Kapadia on All We Imagine as Light. (MUBI Notebook) 

Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F director Mark Molloy on helming the series’ much-anticipated fourth film. (IndieWire)