2025-26 DET Directing Program – Unscripted | Kirsten “Kiki” Malone

We’re pleased to share that 2025-26 DET Unscripted Program Director, Kirsten “Kiki” Malone, has been assigned to direct a segment on Season 22 of ABC’s BACHELORETTE! A seasoned unscripted professional, Kiki’s passion for storytelling began in her Midwestern hometown and ultimately led her to NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts, where she graduated at the…

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Disney Entertainment Television Unveils 2026 Directing & Writing Program Participants

Top row, from left: Ryan Richmond, Noelle Liljedahl, Kiki Malone, Maya Florin Middle row, from left: Sagiv Karpel, Kat Vladimirova, Monica Lucas, Cassidy Lee, Aaron Outlen, Claire Gostin, Neiman Outlen Bottom row, from left: Jenna Park, Mariam Girgis, Jamala Gaither Not pictured: Vanessa Beletic, Sammi Cannold, Gayle Galvez, Alejandra Lopez Photo Credit: Disney/Michael Kirchoff Today…

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2024-25 Scripted Director, Kelly Yu

Shoutout to 2024-25 Scripted Director, Kelly Yu, who will be directing an episode of Showtime/20th’s THE CHI! A Swedish-born, New Orleans-raised, Chinese-American writer and director, Kelly’s work explores complex familial relationships and personal identity through an “East-meets-West” lens. Her first short film, PLUM TOWN, won the Grand Jury Award at the Boston Independent Film Festival,…

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2024-25 Scripted Director, Sarah Smith

Applause for 2024-25 Scripted Director, Sarah Smith, who will be directing segments and an episode of ABC’s GENERAL HOSPITAL! An award-winning director, writer, and editor, Sarah’s latest short film, CARDIFF, was nominated for a 2023 BAFTA Camera, and her previous short, BLACK HAT, was an official selection of the 2019 Tribeca Film Festival, and won…

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2024-25 Scripted Director, Shawn Pipkin-West

Big cheers to 2024-25 Scripted Director, Shawn “Pip” Pipkin-West, who will be directing segments and an episode of ABC’s GENERAL HOSPITAL! Pip was born and raised in Houston, TX and got her start as a production assistant on commercials, music videos, and films before joining the Directors Guild-Producer Training Program. She has worked as a…

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2024-25 Scripted Director, Karla Braun

Shoutout to 2024-25 Scripted Director, Karla Braun, who is directing an episode of ABC/20th Television’s 9-1-1! An award-winning director and filmmaker from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Karla has directed, written, and produced content across television, brand campaigns, promos, music videos, and commercials for major clients, including Apple, Marvel Studios, Netflix, Activision, Sony Pictures, Universal, and…

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2024-25 Scripted Director, Ashley Williams

Join us in congratulating 2024-25 Scripted Director, Ashley Williams, who has directed an episode of ABC/20th’s The Rookie! Ashley is excited to make the leap to episodic television directing after many years of acting in television series, pilots, and movies. Her directing credits include the feature-length CIRCLE OF DECEPTION for Lifetime/A&E, NASHVILLE COUNTRY CHRISTMAS for…

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2024-25 Unscripted Director, Tiana Gandelman

Join us in congratulating our 2024-25 Unscripted Director, Tiana Gandelman, on directing an episode of Freeforms’s Project Runway! Tiana Gandelman is a respected Creative Director and innovative TV Producer in Los Angeles, CA. Tiana has worked in the alternative/unscripted television space since 2010, after a decade of touring with Christina Aguilera and Britney Spears, including…

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2024-25 Unscripted Director, Dara DiGerolamo

Fantastic news! Our 2024-25 Unscripted Director, Dara DiGerolamo, is taking the director’s chair for an episode of ABC’s American Idol! For the past 20 years, Dara DiGerolamo has worked in the entertainment industry creating programming for network and cable television and live streaming events. She was introduced to television production as the Script Coordinator on…

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