News for directors, directly to you.
This week, the Academy announces rule changes to the international feature Oscar, BAFTA Breakthrough applications open to support emerging talent in film and TV, and microbudget filmmakers discuss how they fund projects.
HEADLINES
- Films not in the English language that win top awards at select international festivals will qualify for the international feature film Oscar. A film will be credited as the nominee rather than the country or region, with the award to be presented to the director on behalf of the creative team. (Screen Daily)
- BAFTA opens applications for BAFTA Breakthrough 2026, their flagship talent programme which spotlights and supports outstanding emerging talent in film, games, and television. (Televisual)
- Industry figures sign an open letter calling for government support to help prevent on-set injury: “The safety and welfare of our workforce is fundamental to safeguarding the world class product that the British stage and screen sectors offer.” (Deadline)
- The Grierson Trust announces the trainees for the Grierson DocLab: New Entrants scheme – trainees will develop their skills, and gain knowledge and industry contacts to become ‘job ready’ for a range of entry-level roles and a career in factual television. (Televisual)
- Sofia Coppola launches a Short Film Award for emerging directors – the recipient will receive $20,000 to produce a short film, along with artistic mentorship, marketing support, and distribution through Decentralized Pictures’s upcoming streaming platform. (IndieWire)
DIRECTOR’S TAKE
- Microbudget filmmakers on how they fund projects: “Smaller is better. Let that be what influences all your choices, and it will allow a lightness to the process, which will mean it will be more enjoyable, funding projects.” (IndieWire)
DIRECTORS ON DIRECTING
- Colin Hanks on John Candy: I Like Me: “[E]veryone universally will say ... “Oh, someone should make a documentary about him.” And I always go, “OK, but what is the film? What is the story that you’re actually really trying to tell?” ... I don’t want to just do a visual Wikipedia entry.” (IndieWire)
CELEBRATING CRAFT
- “An auteur who has made the sheer force of creativity, invention, and audacity his trademark”: Darren Aronofsky will receive the honorary Pardo d’Onore award during this year’s Locarno Film Festival. (Deadline)