DirectorsDigest—Thursday19February2026

In the news this week, The Film & TV Charity has released its Money Matters report, revealing that almost three quarters (74%) of workers in UK film and TV have considered leaving due to financial pressure over the past year, the British Film Institute has increased National Lottery funding for documentary filmmaking by 20%, and the BBC’s Tim Davie has set a 10% savings target by 2028/29 for the broadcaster.

Read about it in this week’s Digest.

News

•  The Film & TV Charity has released its Money Matters 2 report, revealing that almost three quarters (74%) of workers in UK film and TV have considered leaving due to financial pressure over the past year. Their CEO Marcus Ryder has said the industry faces “serious risk” without “meaningful, co-ordinated action.” (Deadline) Read the full report here. (The Film & TV Charity)

•  The British Film Institute (BFI) is investing £7.2m of National Lottery funding from 2026-29 for documentary filmmaking, an increase of 20% from the previous three-year period. (Screen)

•  The BBC is eyeing a further savings push over the next three years across network and BBC Studios, with Tim Davie setting a 10% savings target by 2028/29. (Broadcast)

•   Salma Hayek Pinault joined Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo to announce a new tax incentive aimed at boosting the local film industry and drawing big productions to the country. The incentives include a new 30 percent tax incentive for projects shot in Mexico. (The Hollywood Reporter)

•  The British Broadcasting Challenge has backed the idea of opening BBC iPlayer and BBC Sounds to other PSB content as part of the charter renewal process. (Broadcast)

•  Liverpool Film Office’s new Impact Report has revealed “record growth” in film and TV activity in the region since 2019, with more than 1,600 productions being recorded in the region “adding £150m the local economy and creating more than 5,000 jobs.” (Televisual)

•  BBC Cymru Wales has selected five Wales-based indies to share an £80,000 pot to reimagine existing content and returning series for YouTube audiences. (Broadcast)

Features

•  Why the industry wants a revamped London Screenings with new dates and fresh focus. (Screen)

•  “The bank has got more firepower now”: How the British Business Bank is stepping up support for UK independent film. (Broadcast)

Opinion

•  The UK is in danger of falling behind as a production location due to the lack of tax credits available here, according to Clapperboard Studios managing director Mike Benson. (Broadcast)

Obituaries

•   Documentary filmmaker Frederick Wiseman, died Monday age 96. (Deadline)