Director Mentor Program
About
The National Directors Division (NDD) Mentor Program was started in 2024. It aims to support and prepare DGC Director members as they seek to advance their directing careers by providing valuable tools and information to strengthen their craft. The NDD Executive Committee will select up to ten participants from the pool of DGC Director applicants. They will then pair the mentees with DGC Director mentors who can best advise them in the specific areas of craft and career.
This program is open to all DGC Director members in good standing, who have ongoing career goals and projects they wish to move forward.
There will be two required sessions per month: one 1:1 meeting with your mentor and one group meeting with all the mentees and mentors. The program cycle lasts nine months in total (January-August). There is no fee to participate or to apply.
Please refer to the FAQ before reaching out with questions, as it may already contain the information you need.
Apply
This NDD Mentorship Program is for all DGC Directors
To apply to the program you will need the following materials:
- A link to a short reel or clip of your selected work via Vimeo OR Youtube, no longer than 10 minutes. (Please link directly to the clip you want to show and not to your website etc. Reels sent in Google Drive, WeTransfer, email, and otherwise may not be accepted).
- Your bio and/or resume (in a single pdf file) including a link to your Directors.ca page.
- A letter of interest that includes: why you are interested in this program, what you hope to get out of it, who you are as a person and as a director, what area/s of directing you are interested in (TV, features, docs, commercials, etc.), what sort of mentor you hope for, and anything else about yourself you think is relevant to your work as a director.
- Links or descriptions of projects you are currently pitching if any. (Please double check your links and make sure they are accessible and viewable)
- A list of 5 DGC Directors you think would be great mentors for you.
- A completed online application.
Only 10 Directors will be selected as mentees. Program cycle begins in January and ends August.
2025 SUBMISSIONS CLOSED!
Please refer to the FAQ before reaching out with questions, as it may already contain the information you need.
Email questions to: Julian Lung jlung@dgc.ca, Creative Projects Coordinator, National Directors Division
FAQ
Will this lead to Observing (Shadowing) on T.V. series?
This is not the Director Observer Initiative or a job program and asking your mentor to provide you with work or an Observer position is strictly prohibited.
Do I need to be a Director member of the DGC to be apply to this program?
Yes, you must be a Director member in Good Standing with the DGC in order to apply. If you are not a Director member in Good Standing your application will not be accepted. If you would like to explore joining the DGC as a Director member click here.
If I am a member of the DGC, but not a Director member, can I apply to this program?
You must be Director member in Good Standing with the DGC in order to apply.
Do I need a Directors.ca profile to apply to this program?
Yes. If you do not have a Directors.ca profile you can apply via the Guide section here. You must be a DGC Director member in Good Standing in order to have a Directors.ca profile.
Are there program fees?
No.
Can I send attachments directly via email?
Please do not send attachments via email. Please send all documents via a Google Drive link or a Dropbox link that is NOT LOCKED. If your folders are locked and/or unviewable, your application will not be considered. Please double check all documents before submitting.
When is the best time to apply?
It will be most valuable if you are currently active in your career and in pursuit of specific goals to advance in your career.
Can a Director from any genre apply?
Yes. We welcome Directors from all genre’s that the Guild represents to apply: Scripted features and short, episodic TV, and Documentary.
What is the time commitment?
The expectation is that over the course of 9 months (January-August) you will organize one 1-1 meeting with you mentor and attend one group meeting with all mentors and mentees.
Where do meetings take place?
Group meetings will take place over Zoom. 1-1 meetings can also take place remotely or in person depending you and your mentor’s availability.
How do I know if the Mentors I am selecting are part of the DGC?
Use either Directors.ca and/or DGC.ca to research your picks.
Do I need to include projects that I’m working on when applying to this program?
The main goal is to offer advice on current projects you are developing or general career goals. The Director Mentor Initiative should not be confused with the Director Observer Initiative or a job program and asking your mentor to provide you with work or an Observer position is strictly prohibited.
Are there any guidelines for interacting with the Mentors?
We will organize a zoom call with everyone at the beginning of the program to set the tone. The time you spend with your mentor is yours to make the best use of. It would be helpful to come to the meetings prepared with a list of questions and topics you wish to discuss. It is important that these meetings are professional and that you come prepared so as not to waste time. Mentors are voluntarily providing you with their time and expertise. Also it is important to remember that this is not a Director Observer initiative or job program and asking your mentor to provide you with work or an Observer position is strictly prohibited.
Can I apply again if I participated before?
Yes – provided that you are seeking advice on new work or challenges in your career.
What can you do in the meanwhile?
If you have access to people who could serve as a mentor, do not wait for our program (or any program!) Ask them if they’d be willing to mentor you or answer a few career questions.
