DirectorsDigest:18June2026

This week, the BBC plans to cut 550 roles across its Content, Nations and News teams, industry experts discuss why Hollywood productions are moving to the UK, and the 2026 Sheffield DocFest Award winners are unveiled.

HEADLINES

• The BBC will slash commissioning spend across its TV, radio, and news divisions by £80 million over the next two years, with 550 roles to be cut across its Content, Nations and News teams this year (Deadline); Chief Content Officer Kate Phillips sets out plans to reduce TV development spend by around 15% annually: “[W]e don’t underestimate the impact they will have on companies, freelancers and the wider industry.” (Broadcast)
• The BFI will fund dedicated sustainability consultants on all features receiving production finance from its Filmmaking Fund, as part of a new Independent Film Sustainability Handbook. (Screen Daily)
• Guardian Documentaries and arte.tv announce a new fund to support documentary shorts filmmakers, with the winning project to receive £10,000 in production funding, editorial and creative support from both organisations and distribution across their platforms. (Televisual)

DIRECTORS ON DIRECTING

• Adrian Chiarella on directing Leviticus in a watershed moment for horror and putting out a queer horror romance amid a fractured moment for the LGBTQ community. (IndieWire)

INDUSTRY VOICES

• Experts discuss Hollywood’s mass exodus and reasons why film and TV productions are fleeing LA and favouring countries like the UK and Canada. (Variety)

CELEBRATING CRAFT

• The winners for the 2026 Sheffield DocFest Award are unveiled. Congratulations to all the winners! (Sheffield DocFest)