DirectorsDigest—Thursday26February2026

In the news this week, The Film and TV charity has unveiled a landmark set of Principles for safeguarding mental health in the sector, streaming platforms are set to come under “enhanced regulation” from Ofcom, and the BBC has launched an internal investigation into the airing of a racial slur at the BAFTA Film Awards on Sunday evening. 

Read about it in this week’s Digest.

News

• The Film and TV charity has unveiled a landmark set of Principles for safeguarding mental health in what’s been called a “watershed moment” for the UK creative sector’s duty of care to its production community. (The Guardian) Directors UK Head of Insight and Strategic Partnerships Natasha Moore, says:

 “Too many people in our industry are experiencing poor mental health and it’s just unacceptable. There is no excuse not to foster a safe environment at work, especially now that we have such clear, industry agreed Principles. Responsibility must be shared across the industry to disrupt this accepted norm, and directors, as leaders, have an important role to play in changing our industry's culture.”

• Streaming platforms in the U.K. are set to come under “enhanced regulation” from media regulator Ofcom. The rules will give Ofcom the power to accept viewer complaints and investigate streaming platforms. (Variety)

• The BBC has launched an internal investigation into the airing of a racial slur at the BAFTA Film Awards on Sunday. (Broadcast)

• Pact chief exec John McVay has called public funding for film and TV is something of a “postcode lottery” depending on where producers are based in UK,  based on new Pact research which reveals the regions most active in investing in production, as well as the cold spots for public funding. (Broadcast)

• Netflix has donated £1 million to the National Film and Television School to fund the launch of a new creativity hub at its Beaconsfield campus. (Televisual)

•  UK actors union, Equity, is encouraging its members to boycott the BBC‘s charter renewal survey due to concerns over its use of artificial intelligence and an “airbrushing” of the workforce. (Deadline)

•  Berlinale director Tricia Tuttle may be poised to leave the Berlinale, according to a report in German tabloid newspaper Bild this week. (Screen) In response to the news an open letter in defence of the Berlinale director has received over 600 signatories in just a couple of hours. (Screen)

•  According to a new “Teens & Screens” survey from the Center for Scholars & Storytellers at UCLA, teens are over superheroes and want to see more “connected masculinity” onscreen. (Deadline)

• West Yorkshire’s Production Park campus, two proposed new state-of-the-art studios, has received planning approval for the next phase of its expansion, increasing the footprint to nearly 30 acres. (Televisual)

Features

•   What does an AI-driven future mean for arts workers? (Arts Professional)

Opinion

•  Idris Elba on how building “practical pathways” for African filmmakers will help diversify the industry. (Screen)

Director Interviews

•  Chloé Zhao and Sam Mendes confront the ‘emotional cost’ of directing: ‘you soak up other people’s energy, their concerns, their anxiety, their paranoia.’ (Variety)

Awards

•   Winners at the 2026 EE BAFTA Film Awards were announced this week. See the full list of winners here. (BAFTA)