The past twelve months have been a formative period for the ADG. The union has faced a mix of financial and industry challenges, and as you would expect from directors, the board worked collaboratively to meet them head on. We put long term strategies in place while progressing a number of existing plans.
Our most significant achievement has been the introduction of the Rate Card for Scripted Series, determining new fees and conditions for Australian screen directors. Although this work began before I joined the board, it was driven with remarkable persistence by Jonathon Brough. The rate card is the result of extensive consultation with international and Australian directors, along with likeminded organisations. It is the first comprehensive fees and rights document to be adopted in more than twenty five years, and it sets a strong foundation for the future.
I also want to acknowledge the outstanding work of our Executive Director, Sophie Harper. We do not always make the headlines, but Sophie has ensured the ADG is present at every major meeting about streaming quotas, authorship, royalties, and rights. She has represented our position with care and enthusiasm, making sure directors have a seat at the table and helping to drive real outcomes. Sophie has also had to steer the organisation through periods of financial uncertainty, supported enormously by the tremendous work of Board Member Victoria Thaine.
The ADG has also been involved in a landmark legal case regarding a disputed director credit after a producer attempted to claim it. The matter could have serious implications for director rights moving forward. We have offered our full support to the director involved and will report in full soon.
As many members know, the ADG continued to face significant financial hardship during the year. This required a further cost reduction plan to lower overheads and streamline spending. Unfortunately, we had no choice but to make our ancillary staff redundant. Our situation was made more difficult by a lack of timely funding support from ASDACS.
ASDACS has always been intended as an adjacent organisation to the ADG. It receives funds from working directors to operate, while carrying the crucial responsibility of distributing our hard-earned royalties. Many in the ADG felt that ASDACS was not sufficiently meeting its broader constitutional obligations to directors, particularly in terms of funding and championing our rights.
This led me to run a ticket at the ASDACS AGM with the aim of populating the board with working directors. As a result, all but one board member was replaced by ADG members. In particular, ADG board members Jonathon Brough and I were elected as Chair and Treasurer respectively. While the ADG and ASDACS must remain separate organisations, this shift has created a stronger shared mandate that aligns the two organisations more closely in the interests of directors. This alignment reflects the original intention of the founding members.
Looking ahead, we have several goals for the coming year. A key priority is developing fees and conditions for Factual and Documentary directors for the first time. Our colleagues in this sector face significant disadvantages in credits, royalties, and working conditions. We also plan to review our feature film agreements and to produce new television director agreements.
On the cultural front, we aim to reinstate our awards ceremony. Additionally, Rowan Woods is coordinating plans for a much needed industry conference that will examine the director’s role in an ever changing landscape, particularly around AI. We’re also looking at ways to provide director attachments and opportunities for emerging creatives.
As we move into 2026, the ADG board is energised and determined to bring about meaningful improvements to our working conditions. We are committed to reframing the imbalance around authorship and addressing the unequal funding of guild organisations. As always, we welcome your feedback and look forward to serving the directorial and broader creative community with real vigour.
Darren Ashton
ADG President and working director
