Directors UK Podcast

Akinola Davies Jr sits down with Chiwetel Ejiofor to discuss the making of his powerful feature directorial debut My Father's Shadow. Akinola shares insights from the development process, taking inspiration from the archive, and his process collaborating with cast and crew.

Elizabeth Lo joins Jeanie Finlay to discuss her latest documentary, Mistress Dispeller. In China, a discreet new industry has emerged to help couples preserve their marriages in the face of infidelity. So-called “mistress dispellers” are hired to protect marital bonds — and dismantle affairs — by any means necessary. With remarkable intimacy, Mistress Dispeller follows an unfolding family drama from every corner of a complex love triangle. Elizabeth reflects on how she negotiated extraordinary access to the participants’ private lives, built and maintained trust throughout the filming process, and more.

Ryan Coogler speaks with Destin Daniel Cretton on his latest film Sinners. Ryan shares his creative journey as a director, what it was like shooting in 70mm, and his unique, genre-bending approach to the craft.

Nadia Latif joins fellow director George Amponsah for an in-depth conversation about her film directorial debut, The Man In My Basement. Nadia shares what her extensive experience directing for theatre prepared her for director for film, how she the opportunity to adapt Walter Mosley's book came to her, and the creative decisions that went into making this film.

Daisy-May Hudson joins fellow director Alex Kalymnios for an in-depth conversation about the making of her fiction feature debut, Lollipop. Daisy-May shares her unconventional route into filmmaking, the moment she realised that directing was for her, why film is such a powerful medium to tell stories that matter. The conversation delves into the creative and practical challenges of crafting Lollipop, and how Daisy’s unique perspective shaped both her storytelling and her process of working with non-professional actors.

Recorded live at our exclusive Directors UK member event, Academy Award-winning director Guillermo del Toro sits down with friend and fellow Oscar-winning director Alfonso Cuarón for a fascinating deep dive into his creative process, and the making of his haunting new film, Frankenstein.

In a riveting discussion, Academy Award-winning director Kathryn Bigelow, known for her intense explorations of conflict, chats with director Peter Straughan. They dive into the genesis of her new film, A House of Dynamite, inspired by a hypothetical ICBM launch. Kathryn shares insights on her rapid drafting process during the pandemic and Netflix's swift support for the project. She emphasizes her collaborative writing approach and the importance of authenticity through military advisors, while also highlighting how her past work paved the way for real-life access.

Olaide Sadiq’s directorial debut Grenfell: Uncovered examines the disturbing chain of events that led to the Grenfell Tower fire in 2017, giving survivors, bereaved families and firefighters a platform to share their story. In the latest episode of the Directors UK Podcast, recorded live at our exclusive member event last month, Olaide sits down with fellow documentary director Toby Trackman, to discuss how she became involved with the project, her approach to working with collaborators and the responsibility she felt towards them as director, and what it was like working with Netflix on this project.

Recorded live at a Directors UK members event, in partnership with Illuminatrix and FOMO House, director Shannon Murphy and DoP Annika Summerson explore their recent collaboration on BBC drama Dope Girls, in a live discussion moderated by DoP Susanne Salavati. Shannon and Annika share how their creative partnership evolved during filming. Image Credit: BBC/Bad Wolf/Grant Royce

Get a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the casting process behind Channel 4 series, Queenie, in the latest episode of the Directors UK Podcast. Recorded live at our career development masterclass last Autumn, Director (episodes 1-4) Joelle Mae David, Casting Director Aisha Bywaters, and lead actor Dionne Brown, explore the show’s approach to casting. Director James Kent hosts their conversation. Listen to the discussion wherever you get your podcasts.