Directors UK Podcast

Brady Corbet is on the Directors UK Podcast, In Conversation with Sam Mendes on what went into directing The Brutalist. Brady reflects on the importance of a director’s creative vision, and his journey bringing this epic story to screen.

Greg Kwedar shares the work that went into directing his latest film Sing Sing. A stirring true story featuring an ensemble cast of formerly incarcerated actors, Greg talks about how he worked with the cast to translate real experiences into powerful scenes, and how he practised filmmaking “in community” on the set.

Ellen Kuras speaks about what went into directing her latest film Lee, which tells the true story of American photographer Lee Miller on her quest to document the truth of the Nazi regime. Ellen discusses what sparked her interest in Lee Miller’s work, her approach to telling a story through images, and her commitment to telling this story from a woman’s perspective.

Recorded live at our In Conversation members event in December 2024, Jesse Eisenberg is on the Directors UK Podcast speaking to Sandra Hebron about his latest film A Real Pain. Jesse shares his process, how his work as an actor prepared him for directing, and the risks he’s glad to have taken as a filmmaker.

On the Directors UK Podcast, journalist and filmmaker Shiori Itô discusses her debut feature documentary Black Box Diaries, In Conversation with Jeanie Finlay. Shiori shares how the documentary format gave her more freedom to tell her own story, and helped facilitate her own investigation into her sexual assault in an effort to prosecute her high-profile offender.

Recorded live at our In Conversation member event in November 2024, Robert Eggers speaks to Sandra Hebron about what went into directing his latest film Nosferatu. Robert talks about the evolution of his distinctive style, working with collaborators to craft a dark gothic nightmare, and how his love of the 1920’s classic led to this terrifying reimagining. (Image credit: Christopher Andreou)

Recorded live at our In Conversation members event in November 2024, director Edward Berger speaks to Susanna White on his latest film Conclave. (Image credit: Christopher Andreou)

Recorded live at our In Conversation event in November 2024, director Jon M. Chu speaks to Josie Rourke on his latest film Wicked. Jon shares how his upbringing informed his approach to storytelling, directing music on screen, and his experience casting the film.

In this episode of the Directors UK Podcast, Nightbitch director Marielle Heller speaks to fellow director Tinge Krishnan on the film’s surreal visuals, making a successful novel your own as a director, and working with children. Please note there is strong language in this episode. (Image credit: Christopher Andreou)

In this special bonus In Conversation discussion, Coralie Fargeat speaks to fellow director Ti West on her latest film, The Substance. The two speak about the importance of trusting your vision as a director, the huge effort that goes into getting visual effects right, and so much more.

Recorded live at our In Conversation event in November 2024, Lyttanya Shannon spoke to Board member Zoe Hines about her newest documentary Sweet Bobby. Lyttanya shares what it was like adapting a hugely popular podcast to the screen, how she approached interviewing the documentary’s subjects, and more.

Recorded live at our In Conversation event in October 2024, Academy Award-winning director Steve McQueen speaks to Jessica Hobbs about his latest film, Blitz, on the Directors UK Podcast. Steve shares what goes into making a British epic, how he brought the cosmopolitan London of the past to life, and why he enjoys taking risks as a filmmaker. (Image credit: Christopher Andreou)

Listen to the latest episode of the Directors UK podcast! From a special preview screening and In Conversation event in October 2024. Jacques Audiard speaks to Greta Gerwig about the making of his latest film, Emilia Pérez. Jacques shares his experience directing a musical outside of Hollywood, working in a foreign language, and more. (Image credit: Christopher Andreou)

Listen to the latest episode of the Directors UK podcast! From a special preview screening and Q&A event in June 2024. Sean Wang speaks to Tinge Krishnan about the making of his latest film, Dìdi (弟弟). Sean shares about his coming-of-age feature debut, improv with his young cast, and acting with his grandma. Please note there is strong language in this episode.

Listen to the latest episode of the Directors UK podcast! From our special In Conversation event from May 2024. Richard Linklater speaks to Sarah Gavron about the making of his latest film, Hit Man! Tune in to hear the two discuss what it was like shooting on location in New Orleans, Richard's experience working with Netflix, and how he approaches working with actors. (Image credit: Christopher An...

The latest episode of the Directors UK podcast comes from our members’ masterclass with BAFTA-award winning multi-camera director Nikki Parsons. We take a deep dive into Nikki's work directing Strictly Come Dancing and the Eurovision Song Contest, exploring how the full process from rehearsals to live performances comes together. Moderated by award-winning live entertainment and multi-camera direc...

This episode features director Alexander Payne, who joined us to discuss the making of his latest feature film The Holdovers. Alexander spoke to film journalist Wendy Mitchell about his approach to shooting to establish a strong sense of place, how he found the visual tone for the 1970s setting, and getting the balance right between creating a period piece and building a lived-in authentic tone.

This episode features directing duo Jimmy Chin and Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi, who joined us to discuss the making of their latest film and first narrative feature Nyad. Listen now to learn about their transition from documentary to drama, the challenges of shooting in and underwater, and portraying the real Diana Nyad.

Sofia Coppola sat down with fellow director Emerald Fennell to discuss her latest film Priscilla, a biopic of Priscilla Presley. Hear the two award-winning directors discuss the challenges of portraying a household name, translating Priscilla’s 1985 memoir to the big screen, and conveying the worlds of teenage girls.

For our final In Conversation members event of 2023, Andrew Haigh sat down with Sandra Hebron to discuss his latest film All Of Us Strangers, a beautiful and poignant film about love and loss. Andrew spoke about capturing vulnerable performances from his cast, including Andrew Scott and Paul Mescal, and creating a calming environment on set. He also dived into how approaches his craft as a directo...

As part of our In Conversation season, Todd Haynes returned to Directors UK and spoke to fellow director Harry Wootliff about his latest feature film, May December. Todd spoke about how he created the film’s distinct style of comedy, working with actors Natalie Portman, Julianne Moore and Charles Melton, and a director’s responsibility.

This episode of the Directors UK podcast comes from our In Conversation event with Bradley Cooper and Shawn Levy, who went behind-the-scenes of the Leonard Bernstein biopic Maestro. Bradley discussed cinematic tools he used to depict the marriage of Leonard and Felicia Bernstein, the importance of collaboration, and his evolution as a filmmaker from his debut feature A Star is Born to Maestro. Lis...

This episode of the Directors UK podcast was recorded at our members' masterclass with director, producer and editor Thomas Meadmore and documentary story consultant Nic Guttridge. Thomas and Nic were joined by award-winning documentary director Sophie Robinson to discuss the making of gripping true crime ITV feature documentary 'The Real Vanishing Act — Missing Millionairess'. They shared a great...

As part of our In Conversation season, James Hawes sat down with fellow director Jessica Hobbs to discuss his theatrical feature debut One Life, the true story of Sir Nicholas 'Nicky' Winton, a young London broker who rescued 669 children from the Nazis in the months leading up to World War II. James and Jessica had a brilliant deep dive into James’ approach to his craft, discussing shooting on lo...

This episode of the Directors UK podcast was recorded at our masterclass with Emmy-nominated director Peter Hoar, who gave us insight into his critically acclaimed episode of HBO's The Last of Us. Peter was joined by fellow director and his Directors UK Inspire mentee Stephen Gallacher for a deep dive into the making of Episode 3, 'Long, Long Time', discussing the importance of collaboration with...