Directors Guild of America President Lesli Linka Glatter today announced the five nominees for the DGA Award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Theatrical Feature Film for 2024.
“2024 has been a truly extraordinary year for storytelling – and today’s nominees have created audacious and unique films that expand the possibilities of cinematic excellence,” said Glatter. “I am thrilled to congratulate all our nominated directors for their brilliant work, which is visionary, inspirational and speaks to the depth of the human experience. To be chosen by one’s peers is the true marker of outstanding directorial achievement and what makes these nominations so very special.”
The winners will be announced at the 77th Annual DGA Awards on Saturday, February 8, 2025.
Outstanding Directorial Achievement in
Theatrical Feature Film
The nominees for the Directors Guild of America Award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Theatrical Feature Film for 2024 are (in alphabetical order):
JACQUES AUDIARD
Emilia Pérez
(Netflix)
SEAN BAKER
Anora
(Neon)
Directorial Team:
- Unit Production Manager: Olivia Kavanaugh
- First Assistant Director: Liza Mann
- Second Assistant Director: Sofía Blanco
- Second Second Assistant Director: Steve Coleman
- Location Manager: Ross Brodar
EDWARD BERGER
Conclave
(Focus Features)
BRADY CORBET
The Brutalist
(A24)
JAMES MANGOLD
A Complete Unknown
(Searchlight Pictures)
Directorial Team:
- Unit Production Manager: Michael Bederman
- First Assistant Director: Douglas Torres
- Second Assistant Director: Brad Robinson
- Second Second Assistant Directors: Billy Brennan, Veronica Grant
- Location Manager: Anthony Pisani
Michael Apted Award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in
First-Time Theatrical Feature Film
The nominees for the DGA’s Michael Apted Award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement of a First-Time Theatrical Feature Film Director for 2024 are (in alphabetical order):
PAYAL KAPADIA
All We Imagine as Light
(Sideshow & Janus Films)
MEGAN PARK
My Old Ass
(Amazon MGM Studios)
RAMELL ROSS
Nickel Boys
(Amazon MGM Studios)
Directorial Team:
- Unit Production Manager: Kenneth Yu
- First Assistant Director: James Roque
- Second Assistant Director: Jonathan M. Warren
- Second Second Assistant Director: Thalia Skaleris
- Additional Second Assistant Director: Zachery Sherer
- Location Manager: Batou Chandler
HALFDAN ULLMANN TØNDEL
Armand
(IFC Films)
SEAN WANG
Dìdi
(Focus Features)
The Villeneuve snub stings.
I predicted Chu, but I don't think he's going to get into the Oscar 5. If the DGA Five isn't the Oscar Five, then the new nominees will come from the international pool.
Love seeing TØNDEL on the first-time list. SOOO deserved! And the 5 Best, well, again good choices. I'd have included Tim Fehlbaum, but SEPTEMBER 5 is being treated like the bastard at a family reunion (credit: Dolly Parton, via the brilliant Colin Higgins, in 9 to 5).
You might be underestimating Mangold. A Complete Unknown did really well at both the SAG and the DGA. Perhaps if he gets dislodged, it's not Chu who takes his place, but either Coralie Forgeat or Payal Kapadia? The latter seems a huge possibility. A director from a foreign language film has snuck in since 2019 – Bong Joon-ho, Thomas Vinterberg, Ryusuke Hamaguchi, Justine Triet and yes even Ruben Ostland.
Yeah, nice catch. I completely forgot about Audiard.