Andrew Haigh, Asif Kapadia, John Crowley and Jeanie Finlay are among the 145 filmmakers to sign an open letter calling for streamers to pay residuals or royalties to UK directors, in line with UK broadcasters.
“You know the value we directors bring - now we need you to show it,” stated the letter, published by professional association Directors UK.
“For over 25 years, all the UK’s public service broadcasters plus Sky have contributed, along with their production partners, to a scheme which allows directors of UK television programmes to be paid copyright royalties for repeat showings and sales of the programmes they direct… In contrast, your companies, which have been commissioning television programmes in the UK for over 10 years, have still not signed up to any form of royalty or residual scheme for the benefit of UK directors.
“This is despite the fact that we are legally one of the original owners of the copyright in the programmes we direct for these companies, and despite the best efforts of Directors UK, our copyright management organisation, to engage in negotiations.”
Further UK directors to sign the open letter are Apple TV’s Slow Horses James Hawes, Netflix’s The Crown director Jessica Hobbes and Netflix’s Heartstopper filmmaker Euros Lyn.
The letter does not call out specific streamers, but Netflix, Disney+, Amazon Prime and Apple TV, Paramount and Warner Bros Discovery are considered the main US operators in the UK. Screen has contacted them all for comment.
“We want to send a clear message to you all: royalties are a lifeblood for directors, however successful we may be at some point in our careers,” the letter said. “In the US, and in many countries in Europe and Latin America, practices have evolved to secure ongoing payments for directors - whether through collective bargaining or copyright laws. Please treat us with equal respect, and agree a timetable with Directors UK to conclude negotiations to ensure the future of the directing talent you rely on for your success.”
Directors UK declined Screen’s request for further comment on what its next steps would be if the streamers do not meet its request.
No comments yet