Are you thinking about expanding your directing career beyond film and TV work? Are you interested in how new technology is changing the way that stories are told? Would you like to be linked up with people working and commissioning in other sectors, who are interested in you and your storytelling skills?

And would you like to be connected with other directors who are thinking along the same lines, to share your experiences and gain inspiration and advice from others? If so, then Directing Outside The Box (DOTB) is for you.

DOTB is a new programme of events and support created by the DCF. We have joined up with partners in games, brand marketing, new technology, AI and VR to run a series of sessions over the coming months to connect directors with new contacts, new thinking and new ways of using your directing skills, alongside your film and TV work. We plan to run in-person as well as online events, to help open up cross-sector networking opportunities for screen directors.

ai STRATEGIES FOR DIRECTORS

hosted by alex stolz with guest speaker, BEN MOLE 

  tuesday 16th SEPTEMBER 2025,  19:00 - 20:30 webinar

Generative AI tools are highly accessible and enormously powerful - with the capability to support many aspects of the filmmaking process. But how can directors and artists engage productively - and ethically - with these technologies to support their storytelling? In this practical session and conversation, hosted by Alex Stolz (Future of Film), established director Ben Mole shares how he has transformed his process using these revolutionary tools and the strategies, techniques and use cases for AI in a fast changing media landscape.

Register your interest in attending this webinar by email to Alexandra Harris

Alex Stolz has over two decades experience bridging storytelling, audiences and technology across the screen industries. He is Founder and CEO of Future of Film, the global platform and ground-breaking screen incubator dedicated to driving industry innovation. A new model for developing multi format screen projects, Future of Film Incubator is now working with creators across 3 continents including, most recently, Africa. With deep expertise across the value chain – from development to distribution as well as emerging technologies – Alex has a track record of spearheading visionary initiatives and building cross-sector strategic partnerships. Previously, he has helped lead major industry endeavours such as the UK’s first digital cinema network and, as Head of Distribution at the BFI he led the deployment of funding towards innovation and audiences.  Alongside his work at Future of Film, he currently heads global film strategy and growth at usheru, the media tech enterprise that provides data-driven solutions to studios, producers and screen agencies.

Ben Mole was raised in Pittsburgh, Athens, and London.

He began his career as a lighting and camera technician in Los Angeles and London, working on films like Kickboxer Two, The Marrying Man, and Frankenstein. He transitioned into directing promos and commercials, winning Promax Gold and D&AD awards. Ben has directed over 100 episodes of major U.S. docudramas, including Web of Lies, See No Evil, Ancient Discoveries, and ITV’s Man in the Mirror.

He now focuses on feature films such as Code of Silence, Behind the Line, We Go In at Dawn, and the award-winning Khorfakan II. He also wrote Wolves of War and Paul et Virginie and has contributed to several other screenplays. A pioneer in VR with Winter Hill, he won the Future of Film Incubator in 2023. His next project is the AI-driven sci-fi film Save Point.

He also writes about food for The London Economic.

To register for this webinar, please email our coordinator Alexandra Harris.

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If you’d like to suggest an area that you’d like us to cover as part of DOTB, please email admin@directorscf.org.