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Disney Entertainment Television (DET) Directing Program

The Disney Entertainment Television (DET) Directing Program is a highly-selective, one-year program for diverse directors. The program guarantees episodes to first-time television directors on DET scripted series, and guarantees segment directing opportunities on DET unscripted series. Directors receive mentorship, on-set shadowing experience, networking opportunities with the company’s creative executives, and limited professional and career development prior to directing their episodes.

Established in 2001, the DET Directing Program has kickstarted the careers of many established and award-winning directors and producing directors on hit shows, including Tessa Blake (“A Million Little Things”), Pete Chatmon (“black-ish”), Ryan Coogler (“Black Panther” franchise), Zetna Fuentes (“Jane the Virgin”), Regina King (“Insecure”), Marvin Lemus (“Gentefied”), Jaffar Mahmood (“Young Sheldon”), Nzingha Stewart (“Little Fires Everywhere”),

Dara DiGerolamo Talks About Directing a Segment on American Idol Through DET's Directing Program!

This past season, Dara DiGerolamo from the Disney Entertainment Television Directing Program joined us on set to direct a segment on American Idol! Take a behind-the-scenes look into her directorial debut on the show and her experience in the program.

PRIMETIME SCRIPTED

In 2021, the DET Directing Program evolved to guarantee episodes to first-time episodic directors on Disney Entertainment Television’s primetime scripted series. Since then, the program has provided episodic opportunities to first-time television directors on series such as ABC’s THE ROOKIE, 9-1-1, STATION 19, THE GOOD DOCTOR, and BLACK-ISH; Freeform’s GOOD TROUBLE and SINGLE DRUNK FEMALE; FX’s SNOWFALL; and Disney Branded Television’s RAVEN’S HOME and THE VILLAINS OF VALLEY VIEW, as well as Disney-produced series THE CHI and THE RESIDENT. 

DAYTIME SCRIPTED

In 2022, the DET Directing Program expanded into the daytime scripted programming space, guaranteeing segment and episodic directing opportunities on ABC’s daytime scripted series, GENERAL HOSPITAL. This was the first formal engagement between daytime scripted and Disney’s talent programs. 

UNSCRIPTED/ALTERNATIVE

In 2023, the DET Directing Program expanded into the unscripted/alternative programming space.  The program provides segment directing opportunities on ABC’s hit unscripted series, such as THE BACHELOR, DANCING WITH THE STARS, AMERICAN IDOL, EXTREME MAKEOVER: HOME EDITION, and more. This was the first formal engagement between unscripted/alternative and Disney’s talent programs. 

2026_Directing Program_GRID

Disney Entertainment Television (DET) today announced the cohorts for the 2026 DET Directing Program, as well as a new two-year format for the scripted program. Designed to champion and nurture emerging creative talent, the programs guarantee participants the opportunity to direct on a Disney series, alongside professional mentorship, on-set shadowing experiences and unparalleled access to Disney's creative executives.

The DET Directing Program has launched a new two-year format for its scripted cohort, offering participating directors more time to fully immerse themselves in the worlds of their assigned series and build relationships on set and in the broader Disney creative community.

In the first year, the director cohort will participate in a professional development curriculum, strengthen their networks and receive shadowing and mentorship on their assigned shows. In the second year, participants will direct their episode and continue engaging in tailored learning and networking to support their next chapters.

"The DET Directing Program has always been about giving rising directors the hands-on experience, relationships and creative opportunities they need to build real momentum in their careers," said Hayma Washington, vice president, Creative Talent Development and Inclusion. "With a two-year scripted format, we can provide even more time and mentorship to help participants hone their craft, build their networks and step confidently into the creative vision of the shows they're helping bring to life."

"For more than 25 years, these programs have been a launchpad for some of the most exciting directing careers in television," said Karey Burke, president, 20th Television. "I'm excited that 20th Television can offer emerging directors even more access to our productions and can't wait to watch the next cohorts grow into the storytellers and leaders that our shows — and this industry — need next."

The 2026-2028 DET Directing Program - Scripted will add 20th Television and ABC's "High Potential," "The Rookie: North," "Scrubs" and "Shifting Gears," as well as 20th Television's "Tracker," to its impressive roster of scripted series. Other participating shows include "9-1-1," "The Rookie" and "Will Trent."

The 2026-2028 scripted directing cohort and their show assignments include Kristen Buckels Cantrell ("Shifting Gears"), Nicole Dorsey ("The Rookie: North"), Winter Dunn ("The Rookie"), Melissa Fisher ("Will Trent"), Talia Light Rake ("Scrubs"), Eric Lin ("Tracker"), Tessa Slovis ("High Potential") and Stephanie Turner ("9-1-1").

2027 DET Scripted Directing Group

2027 DET Directing Group — DET Scripted Directing Group (Disney/Michael Kirchoff)
Pictured: Melissa Fisher, Kristen Cantrell, Tessa Slovis, Eric Lin, Nicole Dorsey
Not pictured: Stephanie Turner, Talia Light Rake, Winter Dunn

The 2026-2027 cohort of the DET Directing Program - Unscripted, which has placed directors in previous cohorts with series such as "American Idol," "The Bachelor," "Dancing with the Stars" and "Project Runway," will include Diana Horn, Nikki Lazaran, Asa Livingston, Roush Niaghi, Molly Smith and Brittany Thompson.

2027 DET Unscripted Directing Group

2027 DET Directing Group — DET Unscripted Directing Group (Disney/Michael Kirchoff)
Pictured: Diana Horn, Roush Niaghi, Molly Smith, Brittany Thompson, Asa Livingston
Not pictured: Nikki Lazaran

Since its founding in 2001, the DET Directing Program has nurtured the careers of notable alumni, including Jennifer Arnold ("Emily in Paris"), Tessa Blake ("9-1-1" franchise), Pete Chatmon ("High Potential"), Ryan Coogler ("Black Panther" franchise, "Sinners"), Zetna Fuentes ("Pluribus"), Amin Kaderali ("Grey's Anatomy"), Maggie Kiley ("9-1-1"), Regina King ("One Night in Miami..."), Emmanuel Osei-Kuffour Jr. ("Shōgun"), Nzingha Stewart ("Daisy Jones & the Six") and Jude Weng ("Only Murders in the Building").

MEET THE COHORT

2026-28 DET Scripted Directing Program

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Eric Lin

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Eric Lin

Eric Lin is best known for his cinematography work on the critically acclaimed THE EXPLODING GIRL (Oscilloscope), THE SOUND OF SILENCE (IFC Films), HOUSE OF SPOILS (Amazon Studios), I SMILE BACK (Broad Green), and HEARTS BEAT LOUD (Gunpowder & Sky), which premiered at prestigious film festivals such as Sundance, Berlin, and Toronto. It was while majoring in sociology and film studies at UC Berkeley that Lin decided to dive into the world of filmmaking. Early in his filmmaking days, his New York University MFA short documentary, MUSIC PALACE, gained notice and played at influential festivals such as Telluride and New Directors/New Films.

His feature directorial debut, ROSEMEAD, stars Lucy Liu in a performance that Variety called "a revelatory turn" and "career re-defining." ROSEMEAD premiered to critical acclaim at Tribeca and went on to screen at festivals such as Locarno (winning the Audience Award, the Prix du Public), Bentonville (winning the Best Narrative Feature award), Hawaii, SCAD Savannah, Morelia, Sao Paolo, Golden Horse Film Awards, as well as MoMA's The Contender series. It is distributed by Vertical Entertainment.

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Kristen Cantrell

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Kristen Cantrell

Kristen Cantrell is a director, writer, and filmmaker based in NY. Her debut feature film, SWIM FISHY, starring Lola Kirke, Pauline Chalamet, and John Gallagher Jr., is set to hit the festival circuit in 2027. Her short film NO MAN'S LAND premiered at the Oscar-qualifying Palm Springs International ShortsFest in 2022 and was named "Staff Favorite Short" at the Another Hole in the Head Film Festival in San Francisco. Her second short, OTHERSIDE, was awarded "Best of Fest" at the Rogers Film Festival after its premiere on Film Shortage.

Prior to directing, Cantrell worked as a producer to comedians such as Nick Kroll & John Mulaney, Hasan Minhaj, and Mike Birbiglia. She then pivoted into scripted content, working as the on-set Creative Producer on HBOMax's SEARCH PARTY for seven years. Kristen is a fellow of the Sony Pictures Television Diverse Directors Program for the class of 2022, a semi-finalist for the 2023 Warner Bros. Diverse Director's Program, a finalist for the AFI DWW+ Program 2023, and has shadowed David Gordon Green on RIGHTEOUS GEMSTONES for HBO as well as Erin O'Malley for Disney+'s GOOSEBUMPS.

Kristen is also an accomplished performer. Her comedy duo "Most" was recently featured in the Comedy Central special ILANA GLAZER PRESENTS: COMEDY ON EARTH, as well as Comedy Central Presents: Tight Five.

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Melissa Fisher

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Melissa Fisher

Melissa Fisher is an award-winning director, writer, and multi-hyphenate in the industry. Her directorial work marries poetic imagery and technical craft to create emotionally evocative drama. She is an alumna of the 2026 AFI DWW+ and a member of the International Cinematographer's Guild with over 15 years of experience on the sets of Academy and Emmy Award-winning films and television series.

Fisher graduated from Chapman University's Dodge College of Film and Media Arts with a BFA in Film Production. She worked her way up from a camera PA on Michael Bay's PAIN & GAIN to camera assist on films like Damien Chazelle's LA LA LAND and FIRST MAN, eventually running the camera department on hit television shows like GLOW (Netflix) and THE DROPOUT (Hulu).

Fisher is drawn to projects that tackle social justice themes and highlight marginalized communities. Her most recent short film INSIDE THESE WALLS was chosen as a finalist for the Pandora Short Film Grant, and stars Isabella Briggs (THE SUMMER I TURNED PRETTY) and Bobby Soto (THE TAX COLLECTOR). The film centers on a young family navigating the U.S. prison system and premiered at the Oscar-qualifying deadCenter Film Festival.

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Nicole Dorsey

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Nicole Dorsey

Nicole Dorsey is an award-winning writer and director working across film, television, and commercial platforms. Her debut feature BLACK CONFLUX premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival and was named one of Canada's Top Ten Films of 2019, earning her nominations from both the Canadian Screen Awards and the Directors Guild of Canada.

In television, Nicole directed the CBC Gem series SOMETHING UNDONE, which won Best Episodic Pilot at SXSW and Best Series at Series Mania in France. Her earlier short ARLO ALONE, commissioned by Bell Media, screened in competition at the Atlanta Film Festival, was selected as a Vimeo Staff Pick, and took home A&E's Best Film Award. Most recently, Nicole executive produced and directed BALESTRA, a psychological thriller limited series with New Regency starring Cush Jumbo, Manny Jacinto, and James Badge Dale, currently streaming on Tubi and Amazon Prime Video.

As a writer, Nicole has developed original work with companies such as Bad Robot and Netflix, and is currently adapting several acclaimed novels for the screen. Prior to her transition into longform storytelling, Dorsey directed commercial campaigns for brands including Nike, Mattel, and Bank of America, and was recognized by AdAge and Free The Bid for her creative leadership.

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Stephanie Turner

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Stephanie Turner

Stephanie Turner is a writer/director/actor whose debut feature film JUSTINE was acquired by Ava DuVernay's ARRAY and premiered on Netflix. In television, Stephanie has directed episodes of QUEEN SUGAR on OWN and the DC Comics show NAOMI on the CW. In the audio space, she has directed audio dramas for Audible/Broadway Video/James Patterson Entertainment, starring Hilary Swank and Christina Ricci.

Stephanie started working in the entertainment industry as an actress in her late teens, with her first big job opposite Jane Fonda in the hit comedy MONSTER IN LAW. She was the lead in the short film SURROGATE, which she produced with Damien Chazelle, and has appeared in television and film projects including Bones, DIRT, CSI: NY, Scorpion, and First Man.

Stephanie currently produces and hosts a podcast about the NFL with her father, Norv, titled The Family Business with Norv and Stephanie Turner. She is a Ryan Murphy Productions HALF mentee with both TV and film projects in development as a writer, and is a mother of two residing in Los Angeles.

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Talia Light Rake

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Talia Light Rake

Talia Light Rake is a Los Angeles–born, Brooklyn-based writer, director, and producer. A 2023 Film Independent Fellow and NYU Development Lab Fellow, her short film THE CAPTIVES premiered at Mill Valley Film Festival and screened at festivals nationwide, including the American Cinematheque's PROOF Film Festival. She has produced content for Sundance, Tribeca, and New York Fashion Week.

In 2022, she founded Heavy Shovel Productions, a production company and filmmaker community reaching more than 100k creatives online, where she shares practical insights, resources, and behind-the-scenes perspectives on independent filmmaking. She also created The Big Dig, a curated filmmaker matchmaking event designed to bring artists together through intentional, data-informed pairings that foster collaboration and hiring opportunities.

Talia is currently developing the indie TV series TOO ROMANTIC, executive-produced by Bachelor couple Ashley Iaconetti and Jared Haibon.

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Tessa Slovis

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Tessa Slovis

Tessa Slovis is an Argentinian/Jewish filmmaker based in LA and New York. She began her career as an actor at age 9, appearing Off-Broadway, regionally, and on screen in TV and film. It was during her MFA Acting training at USC that she found her voice as a director, pivoting to a vibrant career behind the camera.

Her directorial debut, PIZZA PARTY, a magic realist retelling of the night before the Larry Nassar trials began, garnered her international and Oscar-qualifying festival attention. Her latest film AISLES, written by Emma Axelrod, has screened at the Philadelphia Film Festival, Montclair Film Festival, Rehoboth Beach Film Festival, Portland Film Festival, and Garden State Film Festival this past year. Tessa is attached to direct the teen comedy feature FALSE PROFITS, penned by Betches content creator Madeline Mahoney.

This year, Tessa was selected as one of 6 women directors for the inaugural class of the STARZ x Alliance of Women Directors Creative Leadership directing fellowship. She also works as an acting and directing professor at USC, The Stella Adler Art of Acting Studio, and LACAE.

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Winter Dunn

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Winter Dunn

Winter Dunn is an NAACP Image Award-winning director, producer, and actress with a passion for depicting grounded universal stories through the lens of BIPOC voices. Her short film DEAR MAMA... world premiered at SXSW, was awarded a Special Jury Mention in Drama at Aspen Shortsfest, and was featured in The New Yorker. Her debut short film JUNEBUG premiered at the American Black Film Festival, made its television debut on FOXSoul, and currently streams on Tubi and Issa Rae Presents/HOORAE.

Winter's latest film, PLAY HARD, had its World Premiere at the 2024 Tribeca Film Festival and streams on Hulu and Vimeo Staff Pick. She has directed multiple digital content formats, including web series and editorial videos, with celebrity video features for Vanity Fair, Vogue, Architectural Digest, GQ, Allure, and other media brands, featuring Viola Davis, Sarah Paulson, Lena Waithe, Kim Kardashian, Billie Eilish, and others.

Winter has been a directing fellow in several prestigious programs, including NBCU Launch, Film Independent's Project Involve, Ryan Murphy's HALF Initiative, Amazon Studios Film Fellowship, and SONY Pictures Diverse Directors Workshop. A graduate of the Chicago Academy for the Arts, Dunn holds a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre from Fordham University Lincoln Center.

2026-27 DET Unscripted Directing Program

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Asa Livingston

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Asa Livingston

Asa Livingston is an Unscripted/Alternative Associate Director with credits on DANCING WITH THE STARS: THE NEXT PRO (Season 1), iHEARTRADIO JINGLE BALL (2024–2026), ROLLER JAM (Season 1), CORE Foundation Benefit, Machine Gun Kelly concert, and LIFE IS A CARNIVAL: A MUSICAL CELEBRATION OF ROBBIE ROBERTSON concert.

At AMERICAN IDOL and DANCING WITH THE STARS, she is the Tape AD/Production Supervisor who also regularly serves as the Associate Director for one full act in every live show. She also has directing experience from her time working on the NBCUniversal LA Screenings.

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Brittany Thompson

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Brittany Thompson

Brittany Thompson is a Las Vegas-born Associate Director with over a decade of experience in live television, competition-reality formats, and large-scale broadcast events. She began her career as a production assistant on the iHEARTRADIO MUSIC FESTIVAL and worked her way through the script department on major award shows including the ACTORS AWARDS and the STELLAR GOSPEL MUSIC AWARDS.

She went on to work on the PRIMETIME EMMY AWARDS, the MACY'S THANKSGIVING DAY PARADE, the CRUNCHYROLL ANIME AWARDS, and GLOBAL CITIZEN LIVE, where she served as associate producer on the 24-hour broadcast. Her music performance breakdowns have been featured on THE WONDERFUL WORLD OF DISNEY: HOLIDAY SPECTACULAR and COCO LIVE AT THE HOLLYWOOD BOWL.

Beyond broadcast, Brittany has directed music videos and branded content generating over 5.5 million views, and her travel blog, Cultures Uncovered, documents visits to more than 30 countries. As the founder of LA Women Connect — a community of over a thousand women built around shared experiences — she is equally committed to building spaces off-screen as she is to executing vision on it.

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Diana Horn

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Diana M. Horn

Diana M. Horn is a DGA Director, Associate Director, and Stage Manager with more than two decades of experience in network television, streaming, and live event production. She has built a career across both scripted and unscripted formats, contributing to talk shows, game shows, reality series, comedy, daytime drama, and high-profile specials for major broadcasters and platforms including NBC, ABC, CBS, FOX, Netflix, and Peacock.

Diana has been a key creative force behind some of daytime television's most successful programs, including THE KELLY CLARKSON SHOW and the ELLEN DEGENERES SHOW, helping shape the tone and execution of fast-paced, multi-camera productions. She began her career in scripted daytime drama, quickly establishing herself as a reliable, dynamic presence in high-pressure environments — a skill set that bridges technical precision with creative storytelling.

A four-time Daytime Emmy Award winner with eleven nominations, Diana is also a Directors Guild of America Award winner and an active DGA member.

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Molly Smith

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Molly Smith

Molly Smith is an Unscripted/Alternative director, writer, and producer living in Los Angeles, originally from Minnesota. Currently the field director for THE JENNIFER HUDSON SHOW, Molly is also an experienced director, writer, and producer for brands, having worked with companies like Pepsi, Amazon, Dos Equis, Disney, Discover, J.Crew, Sam's Club, and Bumble, among others, helping match their messaging goals to various mediums, audiences, and genres.

She's written, directed, and produced editorial and branded series for THE ELLEN SHOW, FUNNY OR DIE, Comedy Central, MTV, LOGO, and more. Her work has amassed more than 100M+ views on digital platforms.

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Nikki Lazaran

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Nikki Lazaran

Nikki Lazaran is a Los Angeles-based Co-Executive Producer with over a decade of experience in Unscripted Television. She has spent her career producing THE BACHELOR franchise and its many spinoffs, functioning as the connective tissue between creative vision and execution — running field productions, managing international crews of up to 400, orchestrating multi-camera shoots, and serving as the lead creative in the control room across hundreds of episodes.

Beyond the franchise, Nikki is an active format developer, with original projects and development work for Netflix, All3Media, and Hulu. Nikki holds a Bachelor's degree in Communications Studies from UCLA, where she graduated Cum Laude with Honors.

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Roush Niaghi

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Roush Niaghi

Roush Niaghi is an Iranian American, Los Angeles–based filmmaker with a background in Unscripted and Documentary-style production. In 2012, she co-founded PopGun POV, a boutique specialty camera rental company. Roush was hired as a visual consultant and vendor to design the look of CARPOOL KARAOKE, which became the show's iconic style.

She has also collaborated with directors and production teams on projects including TOP GEAR AMERICA, JAY LENO'S GARAGE, and Jonas Åkerlund's documentaries. She has directed host-led segments for TOP GEAR MAGAZINE and FULLY CHARGED, working directly with on-screen talent in fast-paced environments, and has also shadowed directors on series including LOVERS AND LIARS and LOVE OVERBOARD.

In 2018, she co-directed and produced the documentary feature ALI EATS AMERICA, which has been accepted to 31 film festivals and earned eight Best Documentary awards across Audience and Jury categories.