Directors Digest — Thursday 27 April

Netflix pours £4.3 billion into UK production, as the BBC announces that it’s ahead of schedule with its UK-wide commissioning strategy. Meanwhile, director Jafar Panahi reportedly leaves Iran for the first time in 14 years. Read the latest Directors Digest below.

Acclaimed director Jafar Panahi has left Iran for the first time in 14 years following the reported lifting of his travel ban. (Variety)

Broadcast looks at what the US writers’ strike is likely to mean for the UK industry. 

Documentary director Sophie Fiennes spoke about the ‘Extremely precarious’ state of documentary filmmaking in the UK. (Guardian)

The BBC has reported that it's ahead of schedule with its Across the UK commissioning strategy, which aims to exceed 60% of spending outside of London. (BBC)

‘As South Asian women, we don’t get to rage’ Little White Lies profiles Polite Society director Nida Manzoor.

The BAFTA TV Craft Awards were announced this week – congratulations to all of this year’s winners and nominees. Read our report here.

Netflix has spent over £4.8bn on producing content in the UK since 2020. (Televisual)

The BBC has been criticized for a lack of transparency around its £112m creative diversity commitment fund. (Broadcast)

And finally, Time Out gets the wanderlust going with a look at the world’s remote cinemas.