Directing Program
2025-26 DET Directing Program – Scripted | Vanessa Beletic
Kudos to 2025-26 DET Scripted Program Director, Vanessa Beletic, who has been assigned to shadow-to-direct on Disney Branded Television’s COVEN ACADEMY! Originally from Port-Au-Prince, Haiti, Vanessa has directed music videos, commercials, short films, and branded content, and began her career as a backup dancer. Her commercial work has been featured during the Emmy’s and on…
Read More2025-26 DET Directing Program – Scripted | Alejandra López
Many congratulations to 2025-26 Disney Program Director, Alejandra López, who will be directing on ABC’s long-running soap opera, GENERAL HOSPITAL! Born and raised in Puerto Rico, a commonwealth of the United States, Alejandra’s short film, THE BLUE CAPE, which she wrote and directed, has screened at ten Oscar qualifying film festivals. Alejandra became the first…
Read More2025-26 DET Directing Program – Scripted | Ryan Richmond
We’re pleased to share that 2025-26 Disney Program Director, Ryan Richmond, will be directing an episode of Hulu/Onyx/20th’s REASONABLE DOUBT! Originally a Washington, D.C. native, Ryan is a graduate of New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts, studying under Spike Lee and Matthew Libatique. Ryan was a cinematographer for 12 years before transitioning to…
Read More2025-26 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…
Read MoreDisney 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…
Read MoreGo behind the scenes with Karla Braun as she makes her directorial debut on 9-1-1!
Part one of #911onABC’s two-part thriller was directed by first-time episodic director Karla Braun from the Disney Entertainment Television Directing Program! Get a behind-the-scenes look into Karla’s directorial debut on 9-1-1 and her experience in the program. Stream the episode on Hulu now!
Read More2024-25 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,…
Read More2024-25 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…
Read More2024-25 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…
Read More2024-25 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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