AWD’s Career Advancement Programs (CAP) focus on Professional Development, Community, and Advocacy for Women-Identifying and Gender Non-Binary Directors.
Our current programs include:
- Master Classes: Attendees receive hands-on, applicable information from Showrunners, Editors, Top Directors, DPs, and more. Topics include but are not limited to: Prepping, shooting and editing episodes of television, Pitching projects to financiers, and Applying to diversity programs.
- Professional Partnerships: AWD collaborates with Studios, Networks, and allied organization to produce panels, mixers, and workshops for our members.
- Works in Progress Program: AWD directors screen new works currently in post or headed for the festival circuit for peer review. Before the screenings, an invited guest presents a workshop on either the craft or business of filmmaking.
- Black Directors Advancement Initiative: BDAI facilitates relationships between industry professionals and Black AWD directors for the purpose of career development.
- Directing the Actor Lab: Topics covered include in-depth scene breakdowns, rehearsal exercises and techniques, and playable direction and adjustments for actors.
- Social Sundays: Held virtually on the third Sunday of each month, these events are focused on building community. AWD members share advice and support, and get to know other members and their work.
- AWD Book Club: Hosted by AWD South, Book Club is open to all AWD members and meets every other month for a Q&A with the selected book’s author.
- Rising Director Fellowship: The selected directors are introduced to industry professionals through Q&A sessions geared toward working in episodic television.
- Peer-to-Peer Shadowing: Participants are connected with more established AWD directors to shadow on films, commercials, music videos, or web series.
