The Director’s Cut - A DGA Podcast

Directors Liz Garbus and Elizabeth Wolff discuss their new film, Give Me The Ball!, with fellow Director Ondi Timoner in a Q&A at the DGA theater in Los Angeles. In the conversation, they discuss collaborating with Billie Jean King to open up about some of the more intimate and uncomfortable moments of her life, reflecting on Billie Jean’s impact through her 1970s archival materials compared to her modern day interview, and working as a co-directing pair for the first time.

Screened as part of the DGA’s Documentary Series, the film takes a look at world champion tennis trailblazer Billie Jean King and her game-changing impact on culture and sports. Rare archive footage and candid interviews reveal how one woman put changing the world ahead of saving herself.

See photos and a summary of this event below:

https://www.dga.org/events/2026/june2026/docseries_givemetheball-0526

Director Mariska Hargitay and Producer Trish Adlesic discuss their new film, My Mom Jayne, with fellow Director Lisa Cortés in a Q&A at the DGA theater in New York. In the conversation, they discuss how Mariska knew she was ready to take on the film, working with 18,000 photos and 2,500 videos worth of archival materials, and how Mariska came to learn more of the mother who was gone too soon.

The film navigates Hollywood icon Jayne Mansfield’s public and private legacy through interviews, and a collection of never-before-seen photos and home movies as Hargitay sought to know, understand and embrace her mother for the first time.

See photos and a summary of this event below:

https://www.dga.org/events/2026/june2026/docseries_mymomjayne-0426

Directors Phil Lord and Christopher Miller discuss their new film, Project Hail Mary, with fellow Director Guillermo del Toro in a Q&A at the DGA theater in Los Angeles. In the conversation, they discuss finding depth in their characters by trying to see the good intentions is everyone including antagonists, the casting and puppeteering processes that helped realize the alien character of Rocky, and bringing their philosophy of trying to make encouraging films to this feature.

The film tells the story of scientist Ryland Grace, who wakes up on a spaceship as part of a desperate mission to stop the Earth’s sun from dying. On his own and millions of miles from home, he has a chance meeting with an alien on the same mission, forming a friendship that may prove to be the key to success.

See photos and a summary of this event below:

https://www.dga.org/events/2026/june2026/projecthailmary_qna_0426

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