Los Angeles – The Directors Guild of America (DGA) today announced the launch of the 2026 Director Development Initiative (DDI) Television Mentorship Program. Designed to expand opportunity and strengthen pathways into episodic television directing, the DDI Television Mentorship Program pairs aspiring directors with established episodic television directors for a comprehensive, nine-month professional development mentorship experience. Through hands-on guidance, practical exposure, and direct engagement with working professionals, participants gain the skills and insight necessary to advance their careers in an increasingly competitive industry.
The program includes two distinct pathways:
- Craft Development Mentorship Program: focused on directors building foundational episodic television directing skills
- Professional Development Mentorship Program: designed for directors advancing toward professional episodic opportunities
The selection process for the 2026 program was highly competitive, spanning from August 2025 through January 2026. More than 140 DGA members applied, while over 180 experienced episodic directors volunteered their time and expertise to support the rigorous vetting process.
2026 Television Mentorship Program Participants
Craft Development Mentorship Program
- Tayo Amos, mentored by Shannon Flynn
- Ballard C. Boyd, mentored by Kelly Park
- Alrick Brown, mentored by Thomas Carter
- Whitney Clinkscales, mentored by David R. Semel
- Rick Darge, mentored by James Widdoes
- Nicole Dorsey, mentored by Andrew R. Wolk
- Ashley Eakin, mentored by Jude Weng
- Ime N. Etuk, mentored by Lee Rose
- Kent Faulcon, mentored by Michael Patrick Jann
- Isaac Feder, mentored by Heath A. Cullens
- C. Fitz, mentored by Kenneth L. Fink
- Tiffany Frances, mentored by Steven K. Tsuchida
- Luke Gilford, mentored by Tessa Blake
- Sarah Hamblin, mentored by Randall B. Einhorn
- Amber Dawn Harley, mentored by Diana C. Valentine
- Edmond Hawkins III, mentored by Bethany Rooney
- Paul Lacovara, mentored by Philip J. Sgriccia
- Gabriela Revilla Lugo, mentored by Kimberly Anne McCullough
- Jillian Rae Martin, mentored by Adam Weissman
- Jordan Martinez-Richard, mentored by David S. Jackson
- Fredgy Noël, mentored by Steve Zuckerman
- Ann Marie Pace, mentored by Jody Margolin Hahn
- Ryan Patrick, mentored by Rob Morrow
- Omar N. Samad, mentored by Silas Howard
- Pat Santana, mentored by Aprill Lynn Winney
- Sarah K. Smith, mentored by Kristin Windell
- Letia Solomon, mentored by Jaffar Mahmood
- Kelsey Taylor, mentored by P.J. Pesce
- Ty Trullinger, mentored by Andi Armaganian
- Candice Vernon, mentored by Anu K. Valia
- Paula J. Walker, mentored by Michael A. Allowitz
- Katrina Whalen, mentored by Milena Govich
- Rayka D. Zehtabchi, mentored by Michael R. Katleman
Professional Development Mentorship Program
- Nicole Treston Abranian, mentored by Iain B. MacDonald
- Olenka Denysenko, mentored by Gilbert Shilton
- Morenike Joela Evans, mentored by Steve Gomer
- Marie Jamora, mentored by Tucker Gates
- Oscar Rene Lozoya II, mentored by Sharat Raju
- Jes Macallan, mentored by Jon Francis Cassar
- Gregg Simon, mentored by Jason Ensler
- Jackie van Beek, mentored by Valerie Heather Weiss
- Emil Weinstein, mentored by Sheldon W. Larry
- Carey Williams, mentored by Sandy Smolan
About the Director Development Initiative:
The Director Development Initiative is designed to provide current information on the Director’s craft in order to further the Guild’s mission to increase the diversity of the industry.
The DGA has been pressing studios, networks, and producers to be more inclusive in hiring for four decades. The Guild’s efforts include: collective bargaining gains requiring television studios to operate TV director diversity programs; ongoing meetings with studios, networks and individual series regarding their hiring records; and publicized reports detailing employer hiring patterns. In addition, the Guild itself has initiated a variety of TV director mentorship and educational programs to support the career development of its members.
