New direction for British filmmakers
The Directors Guild of Great Britain (DGGB) has deregistered as a trade union and has become a not-for-profit Community Interest Company. This has been done in order to support the work of its sister charity the Directors Guild Trust.
The DGGB will continue its ongoing activities of promoting directors and their work and aiding industry newcomers with an expanded programme of events, training and awards.
The DGGB will work closely with the newly formed Directors UK (formerly the Directors & Producers Rights Society), the independent body formed by the DGGB in 1987 for the financial benefit of Film and TV Directors. Directors UK, which officially launched on June 12, has pledged its support for the Directors Guild Trust.
DGGB Chairman Ivor Benjamin said, “The Guild applauds the creation of Directors UK and supports them wholeheartedly in their efforts to provide a single voice for those British directors working in television and film. Creative and economic rights are the most important bargaining chip that directors possess.”
Speaking about the DGGB’s cross-media nature Benjamin added, “Britain has a long history of directors moving between stage and screen. Directing can be a lonely profession; the Guild recognises the value of a place for all directors, whatever their background. The future of directing lies in recognising and celebrating what unites us – ambition, good training and shared experiences.”
Directors Guild Trust Secretary Simon Campbell-Jones said, “Increasing recognition and appreciation of the art, craft and expertise of directing within industry, government and amongst the general public can only help raise the status of our profession.”
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