Directors Guild of America Names Negotiations Committee Heads for 2026

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The Leadership Council for the negotiations between the Directors Guild of America and studios/streamers in 2026 has been chosen, and it features two well-known figures.

Film and TV director Jon Avnet has been chosen to head the union’s negotiation team for both the Basic Agreement and Freelance Live and Tape Television Agreement. Meanwhile, television industry veteran Karen Gaviola will serve as vice chair. This decision was made by the DGA’s national board in a meeting held in February, with both Avnet and Gaviola having served on the negotiations committee for multiple rounds before.

Jon Avnet and Karen Gaviola have been selected to lead the union’s negotiation team for two important agreements – Basic Agreement and Freelance Live and Tape Television Agreement. Avnet will serve as chair, while Gaviola will be vice chair. This appointment was made by the DGA’s national board in February, with both having served on the negotiations committee in the past.)

The DGA’s current deal with major entertainment firms expires on June 30, 2026.

Lesli Linka Glatter, DGA president, expressed delight as Jon Avnet and Karen Gaviola, two seasoned directors known for their work in features and television, return to lead the 2026 committee. In our previous term, they played a crucial role in navigating the guild towards significant economic advancements and creative safeguards. The entire membership will profit from their extensive industry knowledge and expertise once more.

In her remarks, Glatter admitted that it’s surprising how quickly we’re preparing for another round of negotiations, expected to start roughly a year from now. Yet, she emphasized that the DGA is well-known for meticulously examining the health of the industry before negotiating with studios and streaming platforms. “Just as we always do,” she explained, “the DGA dedicates significant time and resources to extensive research to grasp the challenges our members and the industry are facing.

For the last two collective bargaining sessions, Avnet served as the head of the union’s negotiation committee. Over five cycles, they have been a member of this committee. Avnet is not only a member of the DGA National Board but also shares co-chair responsibilities for the union’s artificial intelligence committee and serves as a trustee for its pension and health plans. On the other hand, Gaviola has co-chaired the DGA’s recent round of negotiations and has been on the negotiations committee six times. In addition to this role, she is the chairperson of the union’s safety committee and holds a trusteeship position in both its pension and health plans.

This duo will collaborate intimately with Russell Hollander, the DGA’s national executive director, who has been chosen to lead the union’s negotiations once more. The remaining members of the DGA’s negotiation committee will be selected at a later point in the year.

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2025-03-25 22:24