Information about, and links to, television studio Director development programs focused on diversity.
(Schedules and application periods are administered by the studios and are subject to change.)
Apple Studios Directors Program
The Apple Studios Directors Program is an initiative focused on expanding opportunities for mid-career Directors across the US. Their goal is to identify innovative visionaries with diverse points of view and give them a front row seat to Apple Studios productions and opportunities to network. Successful participants will be positioned to direct content for Apple TV+.
Disney Entertainment Television Directing Program
The Disney Entertainment Television Directing Program is a one-year program for diverse television Directors. The program provides mentorship from working television Directors; limited professional development; access and exposure to Disney’s creative executives, producers, and program alumni; on-site shadowing experience, and guarantees episodes to first-time television Directors on DET scripted and unscripted television series.
NBCU LAUNCH TV Directors Program
The NBCU LAUNCH TV Directors Program is NBCU’s groundbreaking scripted directing program created with the goal to increase authentic storytelling by providing opportunities for experienced Directors who have distinct points of view that inform their creative vision. The program builds on the company’s success as the first episodic directing initiative in the entertainment industry to guarantee that participants will helm at least one episode in the same season that they shadow. Each participant shadows on up to two episodes of an NBCU scripted series before directing an in-season episode of the same series.
Netflix Series Director Development Program
The Series Director Development Program provides greater access to opportunities for up-and-coming Directors. The Program will offer a master class designed to teach the fundamental skills in episodic directing.
Paramount Directing Initiative
The Paramount Directing Initiative selects directing candidates for episodic network television and match them with Directors of CBS Television Network, CBS Studio and Paramount Television Studios drama and comedy series. The goal is to bridge the gap for those talented Directors attempting to break into network television and create meaningful connections with producers and executives.
Sony Pictures Television Diverse Directors Program
The Sony Pictures Television (SPT) Diverse Directors Program provides access and exposure for highly qualified candidates from underrepresented communities to the art and business of episodic television directing.
WBD Access Directors Program
Formerly known as the Warner Bros. Television Directors Workshop, the 2023 Warner Bros. Discovery Access Directors Program provides Directors a pathway into the episodic television directing space through immersive hands-on training, mentorship and industry workshops.