The Directors Guild of America has officially unveiled the nominees for its most prestigious honors, recognizing Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Theatrical Feature Film and the Michael Apted Award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in a First-Time Theatrical Feature Film for 2025. The announcement, made on January 8, 2026, sets the stage for one of the industry’s most anticipated celebrations of cinematic excellence.
DGA President Christopher Nolan praised this year’s nominees for their artistic vision and commitment to storytelling, noting that the Guild is “incredibly proud to recognize the exceptional work of these filmmakers.” The winners will be revealed at the 78th Annual DGA Awards, taking place Saturday, February 7, 2026, with Dolby serving as the Official Premier Sponsor.
Celebrating Excellence in Theatrical Feature Film Direction
The 2025 nominees for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Theatrical Feature Film reflect a dynamic mix of established auteurs and bold creative voices shaping modern cinema. The nominated directors and projects include:
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Paul Thomas Anderson for One Battle After Another (Warner Bros. Pictures)
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Ryan Coogler for Sinners (Warner Bros. Pictures)
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Guillermo del Toro for Frankenstein (Netflix)
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Josh Safdie for Marty Supreme (A24)
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Chloé Zhao for Hamnet (Focus Features)
These nominations highlight a year marked by ambitious storytelling, genre innovation, and deeply personal filmmaking, underscoring the DGA’s role in honoring directorial leadership across the theatrical landscape.
Spotlight on First-Time Feature Directors
Equally significant is the Michael Apted Award, which celebrates outstanding directorial achievement by first-time theatrical feature filmmakers. This category continues the Guild’s long-standing commitment to elevating emerging voices and supporting the future of cinema. The 2025 nominees are:
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Hasan Hadi for The President’s Cake (Sony Pictures Classics)
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Harry Lighton for Pillion (A24)
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Charlie Polinger for The Plague (Independent Film Company)
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Alex Russell for Lurker (MUBI)
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Eva Victor for Sorry, Baby (A24)
These first-time nominees represent a powerful wave of new talent, bringing fresh perspectives, innovative narratives, and cultural relevance to the global film conversation.
About the Directors Guild of America
Founded in 1936, the Directors Guild of America has long been a cornerstone of the entertainment industry, advocating for the creative and economic rights of directors and their teams. Today, the Guild represents more than 19,500 members working across film, television, commercials, news, sports, and documentary production. Through awards like the DGA Awards, the organization continues to champion excellence, innovation, and the evolving art of directing.
Key Takeaways
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The DGA announced its 2025 nominees on January 8, 2026.
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Christopher Nolan praised the nominees’ artistic dedication and impact.
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Five directors are nominated for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Theatrical Feature Film.
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The Michael Apted Award highlights five first-time feature film directors.
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The awards ceremony will be held February 7, 2026.
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Dolby is the Official Premier Sponsor of the 78th Annual DGA Awards.
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The nominations reflect both established mastery and emerging creative voices shaping the future of cinema.
