The Director’s Cut - A DGA Podcast

Director Visar Morina discusses his new film, Shame and Money, with fellow Director Valerie Weiss in a Q&A at the DGA theater in Los Angeles. In the conversation, he discusses how he experiments with scenes and leaves time for discovering natural moments on set, some of his filmic influences that contributed to specific scenes, and his strategic use of staging and tension in the film.

Screened as part of the DGA’s Global Cinema Series. The film tells the story of Shaban, a proud family man struggling to provide as financial pressures mount. Embarrassed about accepting the support of his family, he faces tough choices about pride versus survival.

See photos and a summary of this event below:

https://www.dga.org/events/2026/june2026/gcs-shameandmoney_0426

Director David Lowery discusses his new film, Mother Mary, with fellow Director Antonio Campos in a Q&A at the DGA theater in New York. In the conversation, he discusses how the project was born from a desire to shoot a one-room film, the choreography behind the seance scene, and his influences in costume and production design that set the groundwork for the film.

The film tells the story of iconic pop star Mother Mary as she reunites with her estranged best friend and former costume designer, Sam. In need of a dress for her new tour, Mary asks Sam to help her, causing long-buried wounds, past traumas and specters to return to the spotlight.

See photos and a summary of this event below:

https://www.dga.org/events/2026/may2026/mothermary_qna_0426

Directors Matt Bettinelli-Olpin & Tyler Gillett discuss their new film, Ready or Not 2: Here I Come, with fellow Director Jorma Taccone in a Q&A at the DGA theater in Los Angeles. In the conversation, they discuss casting Actor Kathryn Newton alongside Samara Weaving, how they film a lot of coverage in the kill sequences for story options in the edit, and their intentional methods of directing that allow them to strike a balance between comedy and horror in the final product.

This sequel to the 2019 feature Ready or Not finds Grace, the lone survivor of the first film, discovering that she’s trapped in the next level of the nightmarish game - this time with her sister along for the ride.

See photos and a summary of this event below:

https://www.dga.org/events/2026/may2026/readyornot2_qna_0326

Director Maggie Gyllenhaal discusses her new film, The Bride!, with fellow Director Greta Gerwig in a Q&A at the DGA theater in New York. In the conversation, she discusses the influence of 1930s cinema on the film’s themes, using dance sequences as a medium for her characters to express complicated emotions, and working with her Costume Designer to create striking looks for the cast.

Set in an alternate 1930’s Chicago, the film follows Ida, a murdered woman brought back to life to be the monster Frankenstein’s companion. Ida’s second chance sparks a whirlwind of romance, police interest, and radical social change.

See photos and a summary of this event below:

https://www.dga.org/events/2026/may2026/thebride_qna_0326

Directors Carl Deal, Tia Lessin and the film’s subject, Amy Goodman discuss their new film, Steal This Story, Please!, with fellow Director Ondi Timoner in a Q&A at the DGA theater in Los Angeles. In the conversation, the filmmakers discuss the structure of the film as a way to get to know Amy before her work, how the filmmakers originally met Amy, and the relevance of Democracy Now! in a modern corporate news landscape.

Screened as part of the DGA’s Documentary Series, the film follows Goodman as she becomes a leader in the movement for independent media. Set against some of the most consequential stories of our time, Goodman works to amplify voices excluded from the mainstream and faces off against forces trying to silence her.

See photos and a summary of this event below:

https://www.dga.org/events/2026/april2026/docseries_stealthisstoryplease-0326