Christopher Nolan Elected DGA President

Christopher Nolan has been elected as the new president of the Directors Guild of America (DGA), succeeding Lesli Linka Glatter, who served two terms since her election in 2021. Nolan’s election comes at a crucial time as the DGA prepares for upcoming negotiations with major studios. He has expressed gratitude for the trust placed in him by the Guild’s members and acknowledged the leadership of his predecessor.

Over the past four years, the DGA has concentrated its lobbying efforts on enhancing set safety, advocating for a pilot program that mandates safety supervisors on productions benefiting from California’s film and TV tax incentive. Additionally, the union has actively sought to expand the state’s tax credits to encompass a broader spectrum of productions. In terms of negotiations, the DGA is aiming to increase foreign streaming residuals and anticipates initial discussions with the Alliance for Motion Picture and Television Producers early next year. Notably, the DGA managed to secure a new contract without a work stoppage during the last contract cycle in 2023, and its current contract is set to run until June 30, 2026.

Nolan, an Oscar winner for his work on “Oppenheimer,” is recognized for his versatility and commercial success across a variety of genres. His forthcoming project, “The Odyssey,” is slated to release in July from Universal Pictures, following the acclaim of “Oppenheimer.” The election of Nolan took place during the DGA’s biennial national convention, which included 167 delegates representing more than 19,500 guild members. Other election outcomes saw Laura Belsey re-elected as National Vice President, with Paris Barclay continuing as Secretary-Treasurer alongside the election of several vice-presidential roles filled by notable figures in the industry.

SOURCE: VARIETY