The Directors Guild of America has appointed negotiations committee leaders for its upcoming 2026 talks with studios and streamers — and they are two familiar names.
Film and television director Jon Avnet will serve as chair of the union’s negotiations committee for its Basic Agreement and Freelance Live and Tape Television Agreement while veteran television helmer Karen Gaviola will serve as vice chair. The DGA’s national board voted to appoint the pair, which have each served on the negotiations committee for several previous rounds, at a meeting in February.
The DGA’s current deal with major entertainment firms expires on June 30, 2026.
“We are thrilled to have two of our most experienced feature and television Directors, Jon Avnet and Karen Gaviola, back to head the 2026 committee,” DGA president Lesli Linka Glatter said in a statement. “Jon and Karen were instrumental to helping steer the Guild in our most recent round, which resulted in major economic gains and creative protections. Our entire membership will once again have the benefit of their experience and deep understanding of the industry.”
In her statement, Glatter acknowledged that “it’s hard to believe that we are already gearing up for the next round of negotiations,” which will likely begin in about a year. However, she pointed out that the DGA is known for conducting exhaustive research on the state of the industry before entering bargaining with studios and streamers. “As we do in every round, the DGA spends an enormous amount of time and resources conducting thorough research to understand the issues facing our members and our industry,” she said.
Avnet chaired the negotiations committee for the union’s previous two bargaining cycles and has had a seat on the committee for five cycles. A DGA National Board member, Avnet is also co-chair of the union’s AI-focused committee and is a trustee on its pension and health plans. Gaviola co-chaired the DGA’s 2023 round of negotiations and has served on the negotiations committee six times. She chairs the union’s safety committee and is also a trustee on the union’s pension and health plans.
The pair will work closely with DGA national executive director Russell Hollander, who will again serve as the union’s chief negotiator. The rest of the DGA’s negotiations committee will be appointed later this year.
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