STATEMENT FROM DGC NATIONAL ON THE PASSING OF DIRECTORS GUILD OF AMERICA FORMER PRESIDENT MICHAEL APTED

Apted was an award-winning director and pioneer for director rights

Toronto - It is with great sadness that the DGC has learned of the passing of past DGA president Michael Apted. Apted was a beloved member of the film community with an extensive list of documentaries and feature films starting from the 1960s including Golden Globe winning Coal Miner’s Daughter, Agatha, Gorillas in the Mist, The World is Not Enough and the third installment of The Chronicles of Narnia franchise.

Apted served as DGA president from 2003-2009, serving the longest tenure for a DGA president since the 1960s and was the recipient of the DGA Honourary Life Member award in 2018.

“In addition to his remarkable career as a filmmaker, Michael Apted was an exceptional leader within the labour movement and a tireless advocate for director rights,” said DGC National Executive Director Dave Forget. “The loss of such a remarkable individual that devoted all of his energy to the betterment of our film & television industry will be felt by many.”

“Michael was such an influential filmmaker and fighter for our industry. Among his many great films and documentaries, his Up series documentary that followed the real lives of 14 children every seven years was ground-breaking and an inspiration for many. This is a sad loss for the DGA and for the film community across the world,” added DGC National President Warren P. Sonoda.