The DGA aims to increase and support diversity in the entertainment community through membership committees, networking opportunities and job training and mentoring programs. The Guild also regularly tracks and calls attention to the employment of women and minority directors on primetime drama and comedy television series. Information about the Guild’s diversity efforts, programs and reports can be found on this page and in other sections of the DGA website. Links to these items are posted below.
Diversity Committees
Several Guild committees are dedicated to building communities within the Guild of those who are members of ethnic or gender groups that are underrepresented in the entertainment industry. Each of these committees works to increase diversity in the industry through meetings, seminars, networking, training and events hosted at the DGA headquarters in Los Angeles and New York. For information about each Committee, click the links below.
The African American Steering Committee (AASC) was born of a desire to address the specific needs of the African-American members of the Directors Guild. One of the primary goals of the Committee is to establish a productive line of communication between African-American members and the creative community. The Committee meets monthly to plan events throughout the year celebrating the achievements of African-Americans, as well as forums with industry executives to proactively address what can be done to hire more African-Americans.
The Asian American Committee (AAC) was created as a networking group to provide a forum for interests and issues that concern Asian-American Guild members. Through outreach efforts in the entertainment industry that emphasize career development and skills enhancement, the committee provides a variety of networking opportunities as well as screenings, seminars and discussions with industry professionals.
The Eastern Diversity Steering Committee (EDSC) represents the concerns of Guild members of African, Asian, Native American, Arab-Middle Eastern or Latino descent residing in the East. Committed to improving the employment opportunities, working conditions and the skills of ethnically diverse Guild members, the EDSC sponsors workshops, seminars, round-table discussions and networking events to showcase the talents of its members, recognize their contributions, and increase their visibility in the industry.
The Latino Committee (LC) was created as a networking group to advance career and job opportunities for Latino DGA members by improving craft skills, networking, and enhance their job opportunities in both the English and Spanish-speaking media. The Committee meets monthly and schedules several special events throughout the year.
The Women's Steering Committee (WSC) promotes diversity through sponsoring networking events, screenings and seminars. The Committee fosters relationships between the members to provide support, mentoring and networking opportunities. All women members of the Guild are invited to attend WSC meetings and events and to share in the benefits that come from cooperative activity.
Fellowship Programs
Disney/ABC-DGA Directing Program
Launched in 2001, the Disney/ABC-DGA Directing Program is one of the longest running programs of its kind in the entertainment industry. Those selected to participate will enter a talent pool. Executive producers and producing episodic directors of ABC shows will select individuals to shadow on an episode or episodes, which would encompass pre-production, shooting and/or post production (3 or more weeks). A stipend of $950.00 per week when actively shadowing, will be paid. The duration of the individual’s participation is at the discretion of ABC executives, executive producers and/or episodic directors.
HBO/DGA Television Directing Fellowship Program
Launched in 2009, the HBO/DGA Television Directing Fellowship Program awards up to three fellowships to qualified applicants. Appropriate applicants might include television, theatrical feature, documentary, music video and commercial directors (applicants are not required to be or become DGA members). Each fellow may have the opportunity to observe, consult and be mentored by select directors of an HBO series intended to provide exposure to the series. A directing assignment on an HBO series may be available after successful completion of the program, but is not provided, implied or guaranteed. Fellows will be employees of HBO on a non-exclusive basis and will be paid approximately $50,000 for up to one year, anticipated, but not guaranteed (depending upon the number of weeks worked and hours per week), to work on a television series to be determined by HBO pursuant to an employment contract.
The 2013 fellowship recipients for the HBO/DGA Television Directing Fellowship Program are Christina Cho and Ryan Coogler.
Awards
Student Film Awards
The Directors Guild of America Student Film Awards for African-American, Asian-American, Latino, and Women Filmmakers are designed to honor, encourage, and bring attention to outstanding minority and women film students. Over 40 film schools from around the country participate in the program. The DGA Student Film Award brings a prize of $2,500 from the DGA to the winner in each group and a product grant of 2,000 feet of 16mm film provided by Kodak's Worldwide Student Film Program. Applications are distributed to schools in the spring, with the Awards ceremony scheduled each fall. For additional information and an entry form, please contact film school department heads or write to: DGA Student Film Awards, 7920Sunset Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90046. You may also call (310) 289-2034 or e-mail Matt Gamarra, Manager, Special Events at mattg@dga.org. Click the link above to view past winners of the DGA Student Film Awards.
DGA Diversity Award
The DGA Diversity Award honors outstanding commitment to and leadership in the hiring of women and ethnic minorities in DGA categories. It has been bestowed only four times in DGA history:
- 2005 - Stephen McPherson, ABC Primetime Entertainment President
- 2000 - Home Box Office
- 1999 - Steven Bochco
- 1997 - Bruce Paltrow, John Wells & Christopher Chulack (ER)