Directors Digest — Thursday 22 June

Developments at BAFTA’s albert initiative rub shoulders with new studies on diversity in casting and how UK cinemas are treating deaf audiences. Read about it all in today’s edition of Directors Digest. 

Television

Directors UK member Rebecca Manley has been made a BAFTA albert ambassador. Here she writes on the albert website about reducing her carbon footprint. (albert)

Tom Watson MP has argued that Fox’s £11.7bn bid for Sky should be referred to the authorities. (Guardian) 

Meanwhile, David Lammy MP has urged OFCOM to regulate BBC diversity. (Broadcast, Paywall)

ITV has narrowed its search for Adam Crozier’s successor as chief executive. (Guardian)

Film

Stephen Follows writes about the UK’s secret 20% tax relief for short films. (Stephen Follows)

UK animation studio Blue Zoo bags £30 million in Chinese investment. (Televisual)

New research suggests that UK cinemas are failing deaf audiences. (ScreenDaily)

A new study shows how diverse casting leads to box office success. (Guardian)

We’ve lost Summer movie season, Film School Rejects report. 

Industry

In a new blog post, the SAA asks if the fear of double pay is making MEPs scared of ‘fair’ remuneration. (SAA)

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.