DGA Awards Winners 2026: Updating Live

The 78th annual DGA Awards are underway in Los Angeles, honoring the year’s most outstanding directorial achievements in film and television. The ceremony is hosted by Oscar and Emmy-nominated comedian Kumail Nanjiani.

Quipped Nanjiani (who, unlike previous DGA Awards host Judd Apatow, allowed his monologue to be viewed by reporters in the press room): “Welcome to the DGA Awards. It’s like if a movie was just the credits!” And later: “I’d ask you to keep your speeches short, but I’ve seen your movies, I know it’s not going to happen!”

Throughout the night, the five DGA nominees in the top theatrical race — Paul Thomas Anderson (“One Battle After Another”), Ryan Coogler (“Sinners”), Guillermo del Toro (“Frankenstein”), Josh Safdie (“Marty Supreme”) and Chloe Zhao (“Hamnet”) — will receive their DGA medallions, typically presented by someone involved in the film’s production.

The DGA Award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Theatrical Feature Film has long been one of the most reliable predictors of the Academy Award for best director, which makes the ceremony one of the season’s most closely watched bellwethers for the Oscars race.

This year’s film nominees also mark a historic milestone for representation. It is only the second time in DGA history that a majority of nominees in the organization’s top category hail from underrepresented communities. The first occurred in 2017, when Guillermo del Toro won for “The Shape of Water,” alongside fellow nominees Greta Gerwig (“Lady Bird”), Jordan Peele (“Get Out”), Christopher Nolan (“Dunkirk”) and Martin McDonagh (“Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri”).

Since its inception, the DGA has correctly predicted the Academy Award winner for best director in all but eight instances. The most recent divergence came in 2019, when Sam Mendes won the DGA Award for the war epic “1917” but lost the Oscar to Bong Joon Ho for the South Korean drama “Parasite,” which also captured best picture. Last year, Sean Baker won the DGA’s top honor for “Anora,” which went on to secure four Academy Awards, including best picture, best director, best original screenplay and best film editing.

When it comes to the broader best picture race, DGA history points to the vital importance of a nomination. Only two films — “Driving Miss Daisy” (1989) and “CODA” (2022) — have won the Academy Award for best picture without receiving a DGA nomination. Meanwhile, six films have claimed the top Oscar prize without earning an Academy Award nomination for directing: “Wings” (1927), “Grand Hotel” (1932), “Driving Miss Daisy,” “Argo” (2012), “Green Book” (2018) and “CODA.”

“Frankenstein” helmer Guillermo Del Toro is the only DGA nominee this year who failed to garner an Oscar nomination, with “Sentimental Value” director Joachim Trier earning the Academy slot instead.

Going into the night, Anderson’s action epic has amassed 35 critics and guild prizes for best picture, including a rare sweep of all four major critics prizes — National Board of Review, Los Angeles Film Critics Association, New York Film Critics Circle and the National Society of Film Critics. Only four films in history have achieved that feat: “Schindler’s List” (1993), “L.A. Confidential” (1997), “The Social Network” (2010) and now, Anderson’s latest. Of those titles, only “Schindler’s List” went on to win the Oscar for best picture. However, in the directing race, Anderson has been equally dominant, with 32 wins to date, while Coogler trails with 19.

Television will also be recognized across multiple genres, including drama, comedy, limited and anthology series, nonfiction, sports, reality and commercials.

In addition to competitive awards, the DGA will present two special service honors recognizing exemplary contributions to the guild and the industry. Associate director and stage manager David Charles will receive the Franklin J. Schaffner Achievement Award, honoring extraordinary service to both the profession and the DGA. Commercials first assistant director Gregory G. McCollum will receive the Frank Capra Achievement Award, given in recognition of notable career achievement and outstanding service to the guild.

“We could not be prouder to recognize the incredible work of this year’s nominees for their dedication to the art of filmmaking,” DGA president Christopher Nolan said in January when announcing the nominees. “On behalf of the entire Guild community, I extend my congratulations to these directors on this achievement, and we look forward to celebrating your work at the DGA Awards.”

Winners will be updated throughout the night. The full list of nominees and winners appears below.

Here are this year’s film nominees and winners:

DIRECTORIAL ACHIEVEMENT IN THEATRICAL FEATURE FILM

Paul Thomas Anderson, “One Battle After Another” (Warner Bros. Pictures)

Directorial Team:

Ryan Coogler, “Sinners” (Warner Bros. Pictures)

Directorial Team:

Guillermo Del Toro, “Frankenstein” (Netflix)

Directorial Team:

Josh Safdie, “Marty Supreme” (A24)

Directorial Team:

Chloé Zhao, “Hamnet” (Focus Features)

FIRST-TIME THEATRICAL FEATURE FILM 

Hasan Hadi, “The President’s Cake” (Sony Pictures Classics)

Harry Lighton, “Pillion” (A24)

Charlie Polinger, “The Plague” (Independent Film Company)

Alex Russell, “Lurker” (Mubi)

Eva Victor, “Sorry, Baby” (A24)

DOCUMENTARY FILM

Mstyslav Chernov, “2000 Meters to Andriivka” (PBS)

Geeta Gandbhir, “The Perfect Neighbor” (Netflix)

Sara Khaki and Mohammadreza Eyni, “Cutting Through Rocks” (Assembly Releasing)

Elizabeth Lo, “Mistress Dispeller” (Oscilloscope Laboratories)

Laura Poitras and Mark Obenhaus, “Cover-Up” (Netflix)

Here are this year’s TV nominees and winners:

DRAMATIC SERIES

Liza Johnson, The Diplomat, “Amagansett” (Netflix)

Directorial Team:

Amanda Marsalis, The Pitt, “6:00 P.M.” (HBO Max)

Directorial Team:

Janus Metz, Andor, “Who Are You?” (Disney+)

Directorial Team:

Ben Stiller, Severance, “Cold Harbor” (Apple TV+)

Directorial Team:

John Wells, The Pitt, “7:00 A.M.” (HBO Max)

Directorial Team:

COMEDY SERIES

Lucia Aniello, Hacks, “A Slippery Slope” (HBO Max)

Directorial Team:

Janicza Bravo, The Bear, “Worms” (FX on Hulu)

Directorial Team:

Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg,  The Studio, “The Oner” (Apple TV+)

Directorial Team:

Christopher Storer, The Bear, “Bears” (FX on Hulu)

Directorial Team:

Mike White, The White Lotus, “Denials” (HBO Max)

Directorial Team:

LIMITED & ANTHOLOGY SERIES

WINNER: Shannon Murphy, Dying for Sex, “It’s Not That Serious” (FX on Hulu)

Directorial Team:

Jason Bateman, Black Rabbit, “The Black Rabbits” (Netflix)

Antonio Campos, The Beast in Me, “Sick Puppy” (Netflix)

Lesli Linka Glatter, Zero Day, “Episode 6” (Netflix)

Ally Pankiw, Black Mirror, “Common People” (Netflix)

MOVIES FOR TELEVISION

Jesse Armstrong, “Mountainhead” (HBO Max)

Directorial Team:

Stephen Chbosky, “Nonnas” (Netflix)

Directorial Team:

Scott Derrickson, “The Gorge” (Apple TV+)

Directorial Team:

Michael Morris, “Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy” (Peacock)

Kyle Newacheck, “Happy Gilmore 2” (Netflix)

Directorial Team:

VARIETY

WINNER: Liz Patrick, “SNL50: The Anniversary Special” (NBC)

Directorial Team:

Yvonne De Mare, The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, “Julia Roberts; Sam Smith” (CBS)

Andy Fisher, Jimmy Kimmel Live!, “Stephen Colbert; Kumail Nanjiani; Reneé Rapp” (ABC)

Beth McCarthy-Miller, “SNL50: The Homecoming Concert” (Peacock)

Paul Pennolino, Last Week Tonight with John Oliver, “Public Media” (HBO Max)

SPORTS

Matthew Gangl, 2025 World Series – Game 7 – Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Toronto Blue Jays (Fox Sports)

Directorial Team:

Steve Milton, 2025 Masters Tournament – Augusta National Golf Club (CBS Sports)

Directorial Team:

Rich Russo, Super Bowl LIX – Philadelphia Eagles vs. Kansas City Chiefs (Fox Sports)

Directorial Team:

REALITY / QUIZ AND GAME

WINNER: Mike Sweeney, Conan O’Brien Must Go, “Austria” (HBO Max)

Directorial Team:

Lucinda M. Margolis, Jeopardy!, “Ep. 9341” (Syndicated)

Adam Sandler, The Price is Right, “10,000^th Episode” (CBS)

DOCUMENTARY SERIES / NEWS

Marshall Curry, SNL50: Beyond Saturday Night, “Written By: A Week Inside the SNL Writers Room” (Peacock)

Susan Lacy and Jessica Levin, Billy Joel: And So It Goes, “Part Two” (HBO Max)

Rebecca Miller, Mr. Scorsese, “All This Filming Isn’t Healthy” (Apple TV+)

Alexandra Stapleton, Sean Combs: The Reckoning, “Official Girl” (Netflix)

Matt Wolf, Pee-Wee as Himself, “Part 1” (HBO Max)

COMMERCIALS

Kim Gehrig (Somesuch)

You Can’t Win. So Win. – Nike | Wieden+Kennedy

Directorial Team:

I’m Not Remarkable – Apple | Client Direct

Miles Jay (Smuggler)

 Dish – ChatGPT | Isle of Any

Directorial Team:

 Pull Up – ChatGPT | Isle of Any

Directorial Team:

 Trip – ChatGPT | Isle of Any

Directorial Team:

 Home for the Holidays – Meta | Droga5

Directorial Team:

Secret Santa – Meta | Droga5

Directorial Team:

Spike Jonze (MJZ)

 Someday – Apple Airpods 4 | TBWA\Media Arts Lab

Directorial Team:

Andreas Nilsson (Biscuit Filmworks)

 Conquer the First School Poo – Andrex | FCB London

 Garrett – Apple iPhone 16 Pro | Client Direct

Big Flex – Apple iPhone 16 Pro | Client Direct

Trunk Trucker – Virgin Media | VCCP London

Steve Rogers (Biscuit Filmworks)

 Bring a Book to Life – Amazon | Droga5 London

 A Tale as Old as Websites – Squarespace| Client Direct

 Everything is Fine — Coinb