The DGA Awards nominees for the 78th annual ceremony have officially been unveiled, and the competition looks fierce across both film and television categories. The Directors Guild of America revealed its shortlist of outstanding directorial achievements, setting the stage for what promises to be one of the most closely watched nights in Hollywood leading up to the Academy Awards. With returning favorites, breakthrough newcomers, and a remarkable slate of prestige projects all in the running, the 2026 DGA Awards nominations highlight the breadth of storytelling happening on screens both big and small.
DGA President Christopher Nolan offered his congratulations to all those recognized, emphasizing the Guild’s pride in celebrating these achievements at the upcoming ceremony scheduled for February 7, 2026. From established television powerhouses to fresh feature film debuts, the nominees represent the very best of directorial craft this year.
A Breakdown of Every Category for the 78th DGA Awards Nominees
The Directors Guild of America recognized excellence across seven distinct categories, spanning dramatic television, comedy, limited series, variety programming, reality and game shows, theatrical features, and first-time theatrical feature films. Here’s a complete look at the directors who earned spots on this prestigious list.
Dramatic Series
The dramatic series category showcases some of the most gripping television of the year, with directors behind acclaimed shows like “Andor,” “The Diplomat,” “The Pitt,” and “Severance” earning recognition.
- Janus Metz , for “Andor,” episode “Who Are You?”
- Liza Johnson , for “The Diplomat,” episode “Amagansett”
- Amanda Marsalis , for “The Pitt,” episode “6:00 P.M.”
- John Wells , for “The Pitt,” episode “7:00 A.M.”
- Ben Stiller , for “Severance,” episode “Cold Harbor”
Notably, “The Pitt” secured two nominations in this category alone, reflecting the show’s directorial strength and Wells’ continued influence on prestige drama.
Comedy Series
The comedy series lineup features directors who brought sharp wit and creative vision to some of the buzziest comedies on television right now.
- Janicza Bravo , for “The Bear,” episode “Worms”
- Christopher Storer , for “The Bear,” episode “Bears”
- Lucia Aniello , for “Hacks,” episode “A Slippery Slope”
- Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg , for “The Studio,” episode “The Oner”
- Mike White , for “The White Lotus,” episode “Denials”
“The Bear” doubles up again with both Bravo and Storer nominated, cementing its status as a directorial showcase. The collaboration between Rogen and Goldberg on “The Studio” also stands out as a unique pairing in the lineup.
Limited & Anthology Series
This category celebrates directors who brought limited-run and anthology programming to vivid life, including the buzzworthy “Dying for Sex” and the latest season of “Black Mirror.”
- Shannon Murphy , for “Dying for Sex,” episode “It’s Not That Serious”
- Jason Bateman , for “Black Rabbit,” episode “The Black Rabbits”
- Antonio Campos , for “The Beast in Me,” episode “Sick Puppy”
- Lesli Linka Glatter , for “Zero Day,” episode “Episode 6”
- Ally Pankiw , for “Black Mirror,” episode “Common People”
Variety
The variety category highlights directors working in late-night television and special event programming, including coverage of major anniversary celebrations.
- Andy Fisher , for “Jimmy Kimmel Live!”
- Yvonne De Mare , for “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert”
- Beth McCarthy-Miller , for “SNL50: The Homecoming Concert”
- Liza Patrick , for “SNL50: The Anniversary Special”
- Paul Pennolino , for “Last Week Tonight with John Oliver,” episode “Public Media”
The Saturday Night Live 50th anniversary specials dominate this category, with both the concert and the main anniversary event earning recognition.
Reality/Quiz and Game Shows
A smaller but no less competitive category, this group honors directors working on some of the most-watched quiz and game programming on television.
- Lucina M. Margolis , for “Jeopardy!”
- Adam Sandler , for “The Price is Right,” “10,000th Episode”
- Mike Sweeney , for “Conan O’Brien Must Go,” episode “Austria”
Theatrical Feature Film
The top directors 2026 category in theatrical features is stacked with auteurs whose films generated significant awards-season momentum.
- Paul Thomas Anderson , for “One Battle After Another”
- Ryan Coogler , for “Sinners”
- Guillermo Del Toro , for “Frankenstein”
- Josh Safdie , for “Marty Supreme”
- Chloé Zhao , for “Hamnet”
Each of these film and TV nominations represents a filmmaker with a distinct visual signature, making this one of the most anticipated races heading into Oscar season. The presence of genre work like del Toro’s “Frankenstein” alongside more intimate character studies demonstrates the eclectic tastes of DGA voters.
First-Time Theatrical Feature Film
The first-time feature film category celebrates emerging directorial talent, and the 2026 DGA Awards nominees here represent a remarkable cross-section of new voices.
- Hasan Hadi , for “The President’s Cake”
- Harry Lighton , for “Pillion”
- Charlie Polinger , for “The Plague”
- Alex Russell , for “Lurker”
- Eva Victor , for “Sorry, Baby”
Eva Victor’s recognition for “Sorry, Baby” has been particularly celebrated throughout the indie film circuit, while Alex Russell’s “Lurker” earned strong buzz from festival screenings earlier in the year.
Storylines to Watch in This Year’s Race
Several themes emerge from this year’s list of best director nominations. The continued dominance of “The Bear” across multiple categories underscores how the show has become a magnet for top-tier directorial talent. Similarly, the strong showing for “The Pitt” demonstrates the impact of well-crafted medical drama, with both Marsalis and Wells earning their nods.
The theatrical feature film race reads like a who’s who of contemporary American cinema. Paul Thomas Anderson’s latest work, Ryan Coogler’s follow-up to his blockbuster resume, del Toro’s signature gothic sensibilities, Josh Safdie’s distinctive voice, and Chloé Zhao’s literary adaptation each offer something unique. Historically, the DGA Awards ceremony has served as a strong predictor for the Academy Awards’ Best Director prize, adding even more weight to this year’s competition.
Meanwhile, the first-time feature film category spotlights filmmakers whose debut features broke through during an especially crowded year for independent cinema. The range of genres and tones represented here , from psychological thrillers to heartfelt comedies , speaks to the diversity of voices entering the directing landscape.
What to Expect on Awards Night
The 78th Annual DGA Awards will take place on Saturday, February 7, 2026. As one of the most anticipated events on the awards calendar, the evening brings together Guild members, nominees, and industry luminaries to celebrate directorial achievement across formats. The televised portions typically highlight winners in the marquee theatrical and dramatic categories, while also honoring lifetime achievement and service recognitions throughout the program.
For those tracking the Oscar race, the DGA Awards often narrow the field considerably. In recent years, the winner of the DGA’s theatrical feature film award has frequently gone on to win the Academy Award for Best Director, making this year’s group of top directors 2026 particularly newsworthy.
Final Thoughts
The 78th DGA Awards nominees represent a vibrant cross-section of contemporary directing talent, from television veterans helming prestige dramas to first-time filmmakers making remarkable debuts on the big screen. With categories spanning everything from late-night variety shows to feature-length genre pieces, the Directors Guild of America continues to honor the full scope of directorial artistry shaping today’s entertainment landscape. As the ceremony approaches, all eyes will be on these exceptional nominees to see who takes home the night’s top honors.