The DGA’s Visit to Aotearoa
Last month, the Directors Guild of America (DGA) President Lesli Linka Glatter and Executive Director Russell Hollander visited Aotearoa to connect with the local screen industry. While only here for six days, their schedule was packed and took them to both Te Whanganui-a-Tara Wellington and Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland.
While here, Lesli and Russ met with DGA members living in Aotearoa, such as James Cameron and Roseanne Liang, and with local DEGANZ director members.
DEGANZ was thrilled to host Lesli for a special DEGANZ Selects event, moderated by local director and DEGANZ member Rob Sarkies. Lesli and Rob discussed her stellar directing career and creative process. Lesli emphasised “the importance of knowing the story you are telling” when approaching different projects. Her career evades being put in a box with credits including everything from gothic mysteries like Twin Peaks, political thrillers like Homeland and Zero Day, to dramas like Mad Men and Gilmour Girls.
Rob and Lesli speaking at DEGANZ Selects
She also shared insights into the Hollywood and international screen industries, underlining the importance of community in tough times. Lesli began her directing career under the tutelage of Steven Spielberg and is now giving back to the screen community, both through the DGA and by personally mentoring other directors.
Fittingly, Lesli and Russ’ visit coincided with the NZ government’s current review of the Copyright Act 1994. Lesli, Russ and DEGANZ Executive Director Tui Ruwhiu met with the Minister for Arts, Culture, and Heritage, Paul Goldsmith, to inform him of the current situation of the US screen industry and the importance of domestic production.
Pictured from left to right: DEGANZ ED Tui Ruwhiu, DGA President Lesli Linka Glatter, MCH Paul Goldsmith, and DGA ED Russell Hollander.
The current Copyright Act only allows screen directors moral rights to their work, while copyright goes solely to the producer. With the Act under review, Tui and multiple local directors, including Zoë McIntosh, Aidee Walker, and Caroline Bell Booth, have spoken up and advocated for change with both the NZ Herald and The Post.
While speaking with The Herald, Tui commented on the matter,
We have been working for over 20 years now to get directors recognised as one of the authors for economic rights under the Copyright Act. It’s an anomaly that directors are recognised as authors, but only in regard to moral rights. That doesn’t make a lot of sense. There’s a conflict, because the director as the author should also have the economic right associated with it as well.
Lesli also spoke with Perlina Lau of RNZ’s Culture 101 to discuss the importance of ensuring the sustainability of screen directors’ careers. She also discussed the recent changes in Hollywood, the impact of AI, and, of course, her illustrious career.
DEGANZ is very pleased to have facilitated the DGA’s visit to Aotearoa and looks forward to opportunities to work together more in the future.
Last updated on 4 September 2025
