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Variety’s acclaimed Directors on Directors series is set to return on Jan. 5, bringing together some of the most talked about filmmakers behind this year’s major awards contenders. Presented by Klimon, the new season continues Variety’s long standing tradition of pairing influential directors for in depth conversations about craft, creativity and the evolving art of filmmaking.
This year’s Directors on Directors lineup reflects the breadth and ambition of contemporary cinema. Featured pairings include Guillermo del Toro, whose highly anticipated project Frankenstein has generated early awards buzz, in conversation with Bradley Cooper, director of Is This Thing On?. Kristen Stewart, making waves with her directorial effort The Chronology of Water, sits down with Jesse Eisenberg, who directed A Real Pain. Ryan Coogler, known for Sinners, joins Spike Lee, the filmmaker behind Highest 2 Lowest. Another notable pairing brings together Chloé Zhao, director of Hamnet, and Josh Safdie, who helmed Marty Supreme.
Each conversation offers audiences a rare opportunity to hear directors speak candidly with peers who understand the pressures and rewards of bringing a film to life. The series has become known for revealing discussions that go beyond surface level promotion, touching on creative risks, personal influences and the realities of working in today’s film industry.
Variety’s co president and co editor in chief Ramin Setoodeh emphasized the importance of the series as awards season approaches. He noted that following the success of the biggest Actors on Actors season to date, the Directors on Directors conversations are designed to continue surprising and engaging film fans around the world. According to Setoodeh, the video series offers the ideal way to kick off awards season in 2026 by spotlighting the voices shaping the cinematic landscape.
The new episodes will be released from Jan. 5 to Jan. 8 across Variety.com and the publication’s social media platforms, ensuring wide access for global audiences. In addition, the Directors on Directors print issue will hit stands on Dec. 31, giving readers a closer look at the filmmakers and their projects through interviews and photography.
Over the years, Directors on Directors has hosted some of the most respected names in film, including James Cameron, Denis Villeneuve, Greta Gerwig, Luca Guadagnino, Ava DuVernay, Michael Mann, Yorgos Lanthimos and Sean Baker. The series has built a reputation for thoughtful dialogue and meaningful insight, making it a must watch for industry professionals and film enthusiasts alike.
The return of Directors on Directors follows Variety’s most watched Actors on Actors season ever. That series debuted on CNN’s new streaming platform and amassed more than 247 million social video views. The season featured conversations between major stars such as Leonardo DiCaprio and Jennifer Lawrence, Ariana Grande and Adam Sandler, Julia Roberts and Sean Penn, Dwayne Johnson and Brendan Fraser, Alexander and Stellan Skarsgård, Teyana Taylor and Oscar Isaac, Gwyneth Paltrow and Jacob Elordi, among others.
With its carefully curated director pairings and continued focus on meaningful storytelling, Variety’s Directors on Directors once again positions itself as a defining part of the awards season conversation, offering audiences an inside look at the minds behind some of the year’s most anticipated films.
