EXCLUSIVE: The Banff World Media Festival has set panels on the “mass exodus of Black women executives in Hollywood” and LGBTQ+ representation, featuring the likes of Schitt’s Creek star Emily Hampshire and a Disney Development Director.
01.05.2024 - 10:25 / deadline.com
Deborah Williams, the head of the UK’s Creative Diversity Network (CDN), is stepping down after eight years.
Williams joined the network in 2016 and has since helmed the Diamond initiative, a landmark data reporting project with buy-in from all the UK broadcasters that has analyzed the diverse make-up of thousands of TV shows. This initiative has been used to forge multiple reports on diversity while holding up a mirror to TV gatekeepers, and it has sparked much debate.
Williams, who has won a number of awards and has been a regular at festivals, was also a key player in the likes of the Doubling Disability target, which aims to double the number of disabled people working behind the camera on UK TV shows. The CDN also put on a number of training programs for producers and broadcasters under her leadership.
“The CDN Board wishes to thank Deborah for her service with CDN and her commitment over the past years to furthering diversity and inclusion in our industry. We wish her the very best for the future,” said CDN Board Chair Paul Moore.
Williams’ exit comes a few months after she was forced to deny ‘liking’ allegedly antisemitic LinkedIn posts about Stephen Fry‘s Christmas speech. It came as prominent Jewish TV executives in the UK expressed their horror at a social media post by a former Channel 4 commissioner, who had attacked Fry’s rallying call against antisemitism.
“A great opportunity”
The CDN has begun the process of finding a new CEO, with recruiter Quicksmith handling the search.
“This is a great opportunity to lead a unique and vital organization whose role is to improve diversity and inclusion in UK television both in front of and behind the camera,” added Moore. “Industry wide improvement will only happen
EXCLUSIVE: The Banff World Media Festival has set panels on the “mass exodus of Black women executives in Hollywood” and LGBTQ+ representation, featuring the likes of Schitt’s Creek star Emily Hampshire and a Disney Development Director.
Emiliano De Pablos Spanish cinema is expanding, opening up attractive film avenues to reach the worldwide market, driven by upscale commercial projects, blending of genres and a new generation of emerging female directors. The country’s filmmakers landed three Oscar nominations: Juan A. Bayona with “Society of the Snow” (inter- national feature and makeup and hair styling); and Pablo Berger with “Robot Dreams” (animated feature).
Bosses at the Department for Work and Pension (DWP) have promised to 'leave no stone unturned' in tackling unemployment after it emerged that 85,000 people had left work since the start of the year. This makes Britain the only major economy with fewer people working than before the pandemic, after more than one million people dropped out of the workforce.
Casualty star Derek Thompson has opened up about his exit from the BBC soap after 38 years as Charlie Fairhead - and he's hinted that there's more to his departure than meets the eye.The actor, 76, stopped by Good Morning Britain on Tuesday to chat about his new role in detective drama Blue Lights. When asked by host Susanna Reid why he left Casualty after nearly four decades, Derek hesitantly replied: "That's all rather confused." After being pressed on the matter, he added: "It's confused in that there is a truth and the truth has been rather garnished.
David Gilmour has announced a show at a historic Rome landmark as well as a handful of shows in the US.Before taking on the stage at London’s Royal Albert Hall for his six-night residency, the soloist and former Pink Floyd guitarist will perform at Rome’s historic chariot-racing stadium Circus Maximus (Circo Massimo) during a six-night run taking place from September 27 through October 3It will mark his return to the legendary venue and in Italy since his Rattle That Lock Tour in 2016. Gilmour also announced four shows taking place in North America.
A third film in the popular British historical drama franchise was confirmed by Focus Features on Monday.Julian Fellowes, who created the beloved television series that spawned the films, is writing the new movie. Simon Curtis, the director of the second film, “Downton Abbey: A New Era,” will also helm the third film.Various cast members are returning, including Hugh Bonneville, Elizabeth McGovern, Michelle Dockery, Laura Carmichael, Jim Carter, Phyllis Logan, Robert James-Collier, Joanne Froggatt, Allen Leech and more.
‘The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live’ Joins Sky In Wide-Ranging AMC Pact
The boss of P&O Ferries has been slammed after he admitted that he couldn't live on the £4.87 he pays some of his crew.
A call centre boss who left the taxpayer to pick up a £350,000 staff bill when one of his companies went bust is back in business.
Kym Marsh has shared her gratitude at being thought about by those close to her as she was struck down after sharing a big career update. The actress recently shared how she was feeling under the weather and her friend and makeup artist was among those helping her get better.
Prince Harry is set to return to the UK next week to celebrate a decade of the Invictus Games, ahead of the event's move to Canada next year.
David Gilmour has announced a residency at the Royal Albert Hall in London, marking his first live shows in eight years. Find all the details below.The soloist and former Pink Floyd guitarist will play six concerts at the historic venue this October in support of his fifth album ‘Luck And Strange’, which is released on September 6 via Sony.Tickets go on general sale at 10am BST next Friday (May 10) – you’ll be able to buy yours here.
Matt Baker became a household name after landing a co-presenting jog on The One Show in 2011. And while for many it would be considered a dream job, it seems almost a decade was enough for the TV star as he called it quits in 2020.The news came as a shock to fans of the show, but it seems Matt was considering moving on from the high-profile role for a while as he had an exciting new career path in mind.
As construction work continues around him, Tim Leiweke's optimism is unwavering.
recent gig postponements, and instead “focusing on ensuring a consistent total power supply”.The new venue, which is the UK’s largest indoor arena, is located opposite Manchester’s Etihad Stadium, and features a “unique bowl design” that will bring fans “closer to the artist than at other arenas of equivalent size”, according to a spokesperson.It was set to launch this week, with Bolton comedian Peter Kay scheduled to perform yesterday (April 23) and today (April 24). However, following a test gig featuring Rick Astley over the weekend, it was later decided that the dates would be moved to next Monday (April 29) and Tuesday (30) due to the venue’s power testing falling “a few days” behind schedule.“Following our first test event on Saturday, regretfully we have made the difficult decision to reschedule our two opening performances by Peter Kay,” the venue said in a statement.
Downtown Abbey star Lily James celebrated her birthday in a £10,000 outfit at London's 'most exclusive' private members' club, Apollo's Muse on Friday, 19 April but still looked radiant and fresh-faced the morning after.The exclusive Apollo Muse, also known to welcome Kate Moss from time to time, is known to be the 'most private of private members' clubs' within the Mayfair Bacchanalia restaurant with only 500 people granted membership in the world. Looking relaxed and happy as she left her central London hotel, the newly turned 35 year old appeared effortlessly casual wearing baggy trousers, leather jacket and baseball cap and pulled along a stylish Antler Stamford 2.0 Large in Dusk Blue.The designer luggage piece, worth £270, is a stylish choice for the star as she jetted off on a 600 mile trip to Milan for a fashion exhibition.
EXCLUSIVE: Nina Lederman, Sony Pictures Television’s (SPT) global scripted boss, is exiting amid the slowdown.
The BBC has unveiled a landmark natural history series on insects as its head of unscripted brands the notion that the streamers are taking over “utter bollocks.”
The $6M Adobe Film and TV Fund supporting under-represented communities in film and TV has been extended to the UK.
Faithless have announced their return to the live stage after eight years, and teased that new music is on the way. Check out the newly announced shows below.Announced today (April 19), the band have announced a new run of live shows, set to take place across the UK and Europe later this summer.