As reported in Variety, STARZ #TakeTheLead and Alliance of Women Directors (AWD) announced the launch of The Creative Leadership Lab, a four-week program designed to support women and gender-expansive directors at the pivotal stage of their careers – between a first episodic opportunity and becoming a trusted, repeat hire.
Building on the two organizations’ long-standing partnership, the Creative Leadership Lab will equip participating directors with the authority, communication tools, and professional leadership skills necessary to sustain long-term careers in television.
STARZ has long been home for bold, women-driven storytelling onscreen and behind the camera. #TakeTheLead is STARZ’s commitment to amplifying narratives by, about and for women and underrepresented audiences. AWD champions leadership, visibility, and access for women and gender-expansive directors. Together, the organizations share a unified vision: to ensure that women and gender-expansive directors are not only included in the industry but positioned to lead it. The program also reinforces STARZ’s role as an industry leader committed to meaningful, visible investment in women behind the camera.
Through an independent evaluation process, AWD will identify six directors from its membership who are well-positioned for episodic work. Selected participants will:
- Have relevant directing experience, such as a single episode of television, an independent feature, a significant documentary portfolio, or notable short-form, commercial, or digital work.
- Demonstrate strong creative vision and readiness for episodic leadership.
- Show a clear trajectory toward episodic directing and the ability to benefit meaningfully from focused leadership training.
The Lab will provide high-touch mentorship and leadership development to the six selected directors, while also extending its impact more broadly through a public-facing STARZ panel at AWD’s signature directing intensive event, Back To Set, returning for its second year.
Together, STARZ and AWD are building a sustainable pipeline that empowers directors. Applications are slated to go live later this month. More information can be found at the link.