DirectorsDigest:30April2026

Digest
Published on: 30 April 2026

News for directors, directly to you.

This week, ScreenSkills launches a new report which identifies unscripted TV directors as one of the hardest mid-level roles to fill, Sheffield DocFest announces its line-up, and the 2026 BAFTA TV Craft Awards winners are unveiled.

HEADLINES

  • ScreenSkills launches a new report on the most pressing skills challenges facing the British screen sector, which identifies directors in unscripted TV as one of the hardest mid-level and delivery-critical roles to fill. (Televisual)
  • Sheffield DocFest unveils its 2026 line-up, which opens with the world premiere of Rich Felgate’s We, The Hated, a documentary about Just Stop Oil. (Deadline)
  • As their initial five-year partnership draws to a close, the BBC and Netflix are set to continue their disability-focused drama tie-up, though no commissions or specific developments have been announced over this period. (Broadcast)
  • TorinoFilmLab selects ten features for its 2026 FeatureLab development programme, comprising of seven debuts and three second feature films. (Screen Daily)
  • Joy Gharoro-Akpojotor joins the Film London Board joins the Film London Board, bringing her indie filmmaking expertise to the table. (Televisual)

DIRECTORS ON DIRECTING

  • Erupcja director Pete Ohs on why filmmaking should be fun and letting online fans edit the trailer of his latest film. (IndieWire)

CELEBRATING CRAFT

  • The 2026 BAFTA Television Craft Awards winners are unveiled – in the directing categories Rob Coldstream (Factual), Philip Barantini (Fiction) and Laurence Cawsey (Multi-Camera) pick up awards, and Olaide Sadiq wins in the Emerging Talent: Factual category. Congratulations to all the winners! (The Hollywood Reporter)