Directors Guild Reveals Film, First-Time Feature Director Nominees
- Leslie
- 7 hours ago
- 2 min read
Clients: Ryan Coogler – Writer, Director; Hasan Hadi – Director
The Directors Guild of America has revealed its nominees for the 2026 DGA Awards for theatrical feature film directors and first-time theatrical feature film directors.
For the first award, for outstanding directorial achievement in theatrical feature film, the nominees are Paul Thomas Anderson (One Battle After Another), Ryan Coogler (Sinners), Guillermo Del Toro (Frankenstein), Josh Safdie (Marty Supreme) and Chloé Zhao (Hamnet).
Last year, Anora director Sean Baker won the DGA Awards’ top prize ahead of winning the best director Oscar and three other awards, including best picture, for Anora.
The first-time theatrical feature film director nominees are Hasan Hadi (The President’s Cake), Harry Lighton (Pillion), Charlie Polinger (The Plague), Alex Russell (Lurker) and Eva Victor (Sorry, Baby).
Last year’s winner for outstanding directorial achievement in a first-time theatrical feature film was RaMell Ross for Nickel Boys.
The guild yesterday announced the 2026 DGA Awards‘ nominees in the TV, documentary and commercial categories.
The 78th annual DGA Awards is set for Feb. 7 and will be held at The Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills.
A complete list of this year’s theatrical feature film nominees follows.
THEATRICAL FEATURE FILMThe nominees for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Theatrical Feature Film for 2025 are (in alphabetical order):
RYAN COOGLERSinners(Warner Bros. Pictures)Directorial Team:Unit Production Manager: Will Greenfield, Kenneth YuFirst Assistant Director: Marvin WilliamsSecond Assistant Director: Amir R. KhanAdditional Second Assistant Director: Gregg Carr, Desiree Stevenson
FIRST-TIME THEATRICAL FEATURE FILM
The nominees for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in First-Time Theatrical Feature Film for 2025 are (in alphabetical order).
HASAN HADIThe President’s Cake(Sony Pictures Classics)