Directors Guild of America Awards

Directors Guild of America Awards (DGA) History

The Directors Guild of America Awards (DGA) is a prestigious annual event that celebrates exceptional achievements within the film industry. Its core purpose is to recognize the directorial excellence and outstanding creativity that contribute significantly to the success of motion pictures, television, commercials and documentary films. Serving as an essential platform for talent recognition and career progression, the DGA has helped to spotlight some of the most iconic figures in the entertainment sector.

Established in 1936, the Directors Guild of America Awards has a long history of celebrating stellar directing. As one of the most respected and esteemed honors in the film industry, it is often considered a precursor to other high-profile awards, such as the Academy Awards and the Golden Globes. The DGA takes pride in its thorough vetting process, ensuring that the accolades truly represent the pinnacle of directorial craftsmanship.

In addition to the main award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement, the ceremony also acknowledges achievements in various sub-categories, such as television series, commercials, and documentaries. The DGA awards also provide recognition for new talent with its unique award for first-time film directors. The Award Ceremony is typically hosted in late January or early February, serving as a key event in the build-up to the climax of the awards season.

Top 10 Facts for Directors Guild of America Awards (DGA) in 2026

• Ryan Coogler’s nomination for Sinners carries significant historical weight, as he is only the fifth Black director ever recognized in the Guild’s top category and the first to receive a nod since 2018.
• Chloé Zhao has become the first woman of color to be nominated for the main theatrical award twice, following her previous historic win for Nomadland.
• For only the second time in the 78-year history of the awards, a majority of the nominees for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Theatrical Feature Film are from underrepresented communities, including directors Chloé Zhao, Ryan Coogler, and Guillermo del Toro.
• No Black filmmaker has ever won the DGA’s top directing prize, positioning Coogler as a potential "first" if Sinners takes the trophy on February 7.
• The DGA Awards are widely considered the most accurate predictor of the Academy Awards, as the Guild winner has gone on to win the Oscar for Best Director in all but eight instances since the award's inception in 1948.
• Warner Bros. is the dominant studio this year, securing two of the five nominations in the premier category for Paul Thomas Anderson’s One Battle After Another and Ryan Coogler’s Sinners.
• The Michael Apted Award for First-Time Theatrical Feature Film highlights a diverse international field, with nominees including Iraq’s Hasan Hadi for The President’s Cake and the UK’s Harry Lighton for Pillion.
• In the television categories, the medical drama The Pitt and the restaurant-centered comedy The Bear are leading the field with multiple directorial nominations each.
• Christopher Nolan, the current president of the Directors Guild of America, will oversee the ceremony where special service awards will be presented to David Charles and Gregory G. McCollum for their career-long contributions to the Guild.
• The 2026 ceremony marks a full transition to the new Directors Guild FYC app, which has officially replaced physical DVD and Blu-ray screeners for voting members.

In the News and Trending for Directors Guild of America Awards

Top things to do for this observance

• View the winners of the 73rd DGA Awards.
• Meet all the nominees from the 73rd DGA Awards.
• Stay informed about upcoming guild news.

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