BACK TO SET: WORKING DIRECTORS INTENSIVE
BACK TO SET: Working Directors Intensive is a two-day craft and career symposium bringing together working directors and industry leaders for hands-on workshops, masterclasses, panels, and networking designed to help filmmakers sharpen their skills, expand their networks, and advance their careers.
Thank you for making BACK TO SET 2026 such an incredible success! We’re grateful to the 200 attendees, 36 speakers, sponsors, partners, volunteers, and supporters who came together for two inspiring days of learning, connection, and community. You can read more about the event here.
Be sure to follow Alliance of Women Directors on social media and subscribe to our newsletter to stay connected and be the first to hear about upcoming programs, events, and BACK TO SET 2027 announcements.
PREVIOUS BACK TO SET SPEAKERS
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JOSIE ANDREWS
DIRECTOR
Microdramas -
ANDI Armaganian
FILM & TV DIRECTOR
Star Trek: Starfleet Academy, Dead Boy Detectives, Stargirl -
KATIE ASELTON
DIRECTOR, ACTRESS
(Golden Hour, Mack and Rita) -
KAREN BAILEY
Executive Vice President of Original Programming and Head of Production, STARZ
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Kristina Budelis
FILMMAKER, ENTREPRENEUR
AI Film Educator -
Beth de Araújo
DIRECTOR, WRITER
(Josephine, Soft & Quiet) -
ELIZABETH DELL
MICRO DRAMAS EXECUTIVE
HOORAE -
PAUL FEIG
FILM & TV DIRECTOR
Bridesmaids, A Simple Favor, The Office -
Craig Lief
FOUNDER
Bad Larry Productions -
YAXING LIN
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER
DramaBox -
TINA MABRY
FILM & TV DIRECTOR
Mississippi Damned, Pose, The Supremes at Earl’s All-You-Can-Eat -
VICTORIA MAHONEY
DIRECTOR
(The Old Guard 2, The Morning Show, You) -
SARAH MARIKAR
VFX ARTIST
Captain Marvel, West Side Story, IT: Chapter Two -
MEG MORMON, CSA
CASTING DIRECTOR
Waitress, My Name is Dorris, Omaha -
Olivia Newman
FILM & TV DIRECTOR
Remarkably Bright Creatures, The Last Thing He Told Me, Where the Crawdads Sing -
AMES O'CONNOR
PRODUCER, ACTOR, DIRECTOR
Women in Virtual Production -
Alexis Ostrander
FILM & TV DIRECTOR
Interview with the Vampire, Servant, Sweet Tooth -
KELLY PARK
FILM & TV DIRECTOR
The Neighborhood, How I Met Your Father, Frasier -
Jennifer Phang
FILM & TV DIRECTOR
Foundation, The Boys, Advantageous -
RACHEL RAIMIST
FILM & TV DIRECTOR
Elsbeth, Bel-Air, Wu-Tang: An American Saga -
BETHANY ROONEY
FILM & TV DIRECTOR
The Blacklist, The Hunting Party, Law & Order SVU -
CHRISTINE SWANSON
DIRECTOR
(BMF, Albany Road, Bel-Air) -
AISHA TYLER
ACTOR, DIRECTOR, WRITER, ENTREPRENEUR
(Friends, Criminal Minds, I Hope We Can Still Be Friends) -
Odetta Watkins
HEAD OF DRAMA SERIES
Prime Video & Amazon MGM Studios -
Emmeline Yang Hankins
PRODUCER & DEVELOPMENT CONSULTANT
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BOFAN ZHANG
SENIOR EXECUTIVE PRODUCER
ReelShort -
GRETA ZOZULA
Cinematographer
(Josephine, The Testaments)
thank you to our 2026 sponsors
PRESENTING SPONSOR
BRAND SPONSORS
ON SITE SPONSORS
IN KIND SPONSORS
MIXER CO-HOSTS
Educational Partners
COMMUNITY PARTNERS
BACK TO SET IS A 2 DAY DIRECTING MASTERCLASS OPEN TO ALL
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2 day in person directing workshop in LA
Our 2026 Directing Intensive takes place at Woodbury University in Burbank, CA. Join us for two days in person, learning alongside fellow directors.
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EXCLUSIVE PANELS + WORKSHOPS
BACK TO SET features an inspiring lineup of panels, hands-on workshops, and masterclasses led by top industry professionals, all designed to level up your directing career.
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networking opportunities
From morning coffee hours to end-of-day mixers, connect with fellow directors, industry leaders, and special guests in a welcoming and collaborative environment. Build your directing community while you learn!
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AWD's BTS SYMPOSIUM IS OPEN TO ALL!
BACK TO SET is a directing workshop open to all genders and experience levels. All are welcome to learn at this directing bootcamp. AWD members receive an exclusive discounted rate.
DON'T TAKE OUR WORD FOR IT!
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HEAR FROM BTS 2025 ATTENDEES
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DON'T TAKE OUR WORD FOR IT! ✳︎ HEAR FROM BTS 2025 ATTENDEES ✳︎
ABOUT AWD
ALLIANCE OF WOMEN DIRECTORS (AWD) is a nonprofit dedicated to the advancement of women and gender-expansive directors in the entertainment industry. Find out about membership, sponsorship, and year round programming on our website.
