DEBBIE HOWARD

Debbie was an actor for twenty five years appearing in many popular television programs including Life on Mars, Coronation Street and Holby City.

Over the past thirteen years she has made many award winning short films including Peekaboo starring Lesley Sharp and Shaun Dooley. She made the critically acclaimed feature documentary, Still Loved, which had a successful theatrical release, was BIFA long listed, won a best documentary award and received a four star review in The Guardian. Debbie also works as a freelance television director. She has directed many episodes of BBC Drama and trained in multi camera directing at ITV. Drawing on her own extensive experience, she works well with actors, ensuring an excellent on screen performance. In documentary, she nurtures a deep sense of trust with her participants, making sure to never exploit a situation and show respect at all times. Her work has been screened at film festivals all over the world winning both critical acclaim and a number of prestigious screen awards.

Debbie’s documentary, Absent From Our Own Wedding was commissioned by Little Dot Studios for the Real Stories Originals Platform. She is currently in production on a new documentary, The Cowboy From Newcastle. She is in development on two feature film, Waiting, which has received early development money from the BFI, and Cold. She is also creating and writing the comedy TV series Hitched with Rachael Birch.

Debbie often works with The Reel Scene acting school in London, and is currently facilitating on The Actors Gym offering online courses for actors. She also regularly lectures in acting and filmmaking at various universities.

Debbie was a mentee on the prestigious Women in Film and Television Mentoring Scheme in 2014. She completed Filmonomics 2017. She is keen to champion other women in the film industry and is an influencer for Reclaim the Frame. She is a member of BAFTA Crew/BFI Network, Cinesisters and Women in Film and TV.