Jay D. Roth, national executive director of the Directors Guild of America (DGA), announced that Frank Bennett Gonzalez will take on an expanded role in overseeing the Guild’s diversity efforts.
“Frank’s commitment to increasing diversity in DGA-covered categories has been a valuable asset to our Guild,” said Roth. “And that benefit will continue to grow as he steps into this expanded role designed to strengthen the diversity programs and resources available to our membership.”
As executive in charge of Diversity Programs and Committees, Gonzalez will manage the DGA’s expanded diversity programs including the DGA Director Development Initiative–a networking and educational program launched in January–which prepares members for opportunities to further their television directing careers; as well as an upcoming director mentorship program. He will also continue to coordinate the DGA’s diversity strategy in concert with the Guild’s Diversity Task Force and committees. Gonzalez reports to Bryan Unger, associate national executive director.
Prior to joining the DGA in 2014, Gonzalez worked for more than 13 years on diversity initiatives for the Disney/ABC Television Group, most recently serving as director of creative talent development, where he spearheaded and expanded keystone creative initiatives and talent development programs such as the Disney/ABC Writing Program and the Disney/ABC-DGA Directing Program. In that position, Gonzalez also worked closely with the entertainment guilds and built strong relationships with community arts organizations. Gonzalez earned an MFA from the UCLA School of Film & Television Producers Program and a B.A. in Film Studies from UC Irvine.
Utah Leaders and Locals Rally To Keep Sundance Film Festival In The State
With the 2025 Sundance Film Festival underway, Utah leaders, locals and longtime attendees are making a final push — one that could include paying millions of dollars — to keep the world-renowned film festival as its directors consider uprooting.
Thousands of festivalgoers affixed bright yellow stickers to their winter coats that read "Keep Sundance in Utah" in a last-ditch effort to convince festival leadership and state officials to keep it in Park City, its home of 41 years.
Gov. Spencer Cox said previously that Utah would not throw as much money at the festival as other states hoping to lure it away. Now his office is urging the Legislature to carve out $3 million for Sundance in the state budget, weeks before the independent film festival is expected to pick a home for the next decade.
It could retain a small presence in picturesque Park City and center itself in nearby Salt Lake City, or move to another finalist — Cincinnati, Ohio, or Boulder, Colorado — beginning in 2027.
"Sundance is Utah, and Utah is Sundance. You can't really separate those two," Cox said. "This is your home, and we desperately hope it will be your home forever."
Last year's festival generated about $132 million for the state of Utah, according to Sundance's 2024 economic impact report.
Festival Director Eugene Hernandez told reporters last week that they had not made a final decision. An announcement is expected this year by early spring.
Colorado is trying to further sweeten its offer. The state is considering legislation giving up to $34 million in tax incentives to film festivals like Sundance through 2036 — on top of the $1.5 million in funds already approved to lure the Utah festival to its neighboring... Read More