Debbie Howard

Debbie directed SISTER BONIFACE (BBC / Autumn 2025) and all twenty episodes of Broadcast Award-winning THE WORLD ACCORDING TO GRANDPA S2 for Saffron Cherry, which earned a Rockie Nomination. She has directed both EMMERDALE and CORONATION STREET, returning to both across 2024/25, and directed over 18 blocks of DOCTORS for the BBC. Debbie's new BFI Network funded short film SAFE was produced by Wellington Films starring James Nelson Joyce and Laura Bayston. Debbie was an actor for twenty-five years before moving into writing and directing when she founded Big Buddha Films. Her award-winning shorts have screened worldwide, including PEEKABOO starring Lesley Sharp and Shaun Dooley. She made the critically acclaimed and BIFA long listed feature doc STILL LOVED and was then commissioned to make ABSENT FROM OUR OWN WEDDING by Real Stories. She is in production on feature doc LIFTED and in development on two feature films - WAITING, with early development funding from the BFI Network and COLD. She is also developing original comedy series HITCHED and sci fi drama THE RETURN. Debbie was selected for the 2014 WFTV Mentoring Scheme and completed Filmonomics with Birds Eye View. She is keen to champion other women in the film industry, an influencer for Reclaim the Frame and a full BAFTA voting member.