The Directors Guild of America has officially unveiled the nominees for the 78th DGA Awards, setting the stage for one of the most anticipated nights in the entertainment industry. Spanning television, film, and a range of specialty categories, this year’s list reflects a competitive landscape packed with prestige dramas, groundbreaking comedies, and a remarkable slate of feature films from some of the most celebrated directors working today.
With winners set to be revealed on Saturday, February 7, 2026, the 78th DGA Awards continue the Guild’s longstanding tradition of honoring excellence in directing across multiple platforms. From streaming juggernauts to broadcast mainstays, the nominee pool captures the breadth and depth of contemporary filmmaking.
A Word from the Guild
DGA President Christopher Nolan offered his congratulations to this year’s nominees, emphasizing the Guild’s pride in spotlighting the craft of directing. In his statement, Nolan noted that the awards serve as both a celebration of artistic achievement and a reminder of the collaborative spirit that defines the directing profession. His remarks underscored the significance of the 78th DGA Awards as a moment of recognition for directors whose vision shapes the stories audiences see on screens both big and small.
Television Nominees for the 78th DGA Awards
The television categories are particularly competitive this year, with several high-profile series earning multiple nominations. The race spans prestige drama, sharp comedy, anthology storytelling, late-night variety, and the often-overlooked world of unscripted entertainment.
Outstanding Directing in Dramatic Series
The dramatic series category showcases a compelling mix of established storytellers and rising talents:
- Janus Metz , Andor, “Who Are You?”
- Liza Johnson , The Diplomat, “Amagansett”
- Amanda Marsalis , The Pitt, “6:00 P.M.”
- John Wells , The Pitt, “7:00 A.M.”
- Ben Stiller , Severance, “Cold Harbor”
Worth noting, The Pitt secures two nominations in the same category, a rare feat that highlights the medical drama’s directorial strength.
Outstanding Directing in Comedy Series
Comedy contenders in the 78th DGA Awards represent some of the buzziest shows on television:
- Janicza Bravo , The Bear, “Worms”
- Christopher Storer , The Bear, “Bears”
- Lucia Aniello , Hacks, “A Slippery Slope”
- Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg , The Studio, “The Oner”
- Mike White , The White Lotus, “Denials”
The Bear earns two comedy nominations, demonstrating its continued dominance in the genre.
Outstanding Directing in Limited & Anthology Series
The limited series race features directors behind some of the most talked-about streaming events of the year:
- Shannon Murphy , Dying for Sex, “It’s Not That Serious”
- Jason Bateman , Black Rabbit, “The Black Rabbits”
- Antonio Campos , The Beast in Me, “Sick Puppy”
- Lesli Linka Glatter , Zero Day, “Episode 6”
- Ally Pankiw , Black Mirror, “Common People”
Outstanding Directing in Variety
The variety category honors directors working across late-night and live-event television:
- Andy Fisher , Jimmy Kimmel Live!, featuring Stephen Colbert, Kumail Nanjiani, and Reneé Rapp
- Yvonne De Mare , The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, featuring Julia Roberts and Sam Smith
- Beth McCarthy-Miller , SNL50: The Homecoming Concert
- Liza Patrick , SNL50: The Anniversary Special
- Paul Pennolino , Last Week Tonight with John Oliver, “Public Media”
Notably, the SNL50 specials secured two nominations, reflecting the cultural impact of the milestone celebration.
Outstanding Directing in Reality/Quiz and Game Shows
A category that often flies under the radar, the reality and game-show directorial nominations are:
- Lucina M. Margolis , Jeopardy!, “Ep. 9341”
- Adam Sandler , The Price is Right, “10,000th Episode”
- Mike Sweeney , Conan O’Brien Must Go, “Austria”
Feature Film Nominees for the 78th DGA Awards
The film categories represent what is shaping up to be one of the most wide-open awards seasons in recent memory, with no clear frontrunner emerging from the nominations.
Outstanding Directing in Theatrical Feature Film
The top film category at the 78th DGA Awards features an impressive roster of auteurs:
- Paul Thomas Anderson , One Battle After Another
- Ryan Coogler , Sinners
- Guillermo del Toro , Frankenstein
- Josh Safdie , Marty Supreme
- Chloé Zhao , Hamnet
This lineup brings together directors with vastly different sensibilities, from del Toro’s gothic fantasy vision to Zhao’s contemplative character study, and from Anderson’s singular storytelling voice to Safdie’s energetic sports drama. The diversity of genres and styles makes predicting a winner particularly difficult.
Outstanding Directing in First-Time Theatrical Feature Film
The first-time feature category celebrates emerging directorial voices making their mark on cinema:
- Hasan Hadi , The President’s Cake
- Harry Lighton , Pillion
- Charlie Polinger , The Plague
- Alex Russell , Lurker
- Eva Victor , Sorry, Baby
This category often signals the arrival of directors who will go on to shape the medium for decades to come, making it one of the most exciting prizes at the 78th DGA Awards.
When and Where to Watch the 78th DGA Awards
Mark your calendars for Saturday, February 7, 2026, when the winners will be announced at the 78th Annual DGA Awards ceremony. For fans and industry watchers eager to see the complete list of nominees across every category, the official roster is available at DGA.org.
The ceremony itself is one of the most respected nights in Hollywood’s awards calendar, drawing directors from across the industry to celebrate the year’s most impactful work. Historically, the DGA Awards for Outstanding Directing in Theatrical Feature Film have served as one of the strongest predictors of Academy Award success in the Best Director category, adding even more weight to this year’s announcement.
What These Nominations Signal
Beyond the individual honors, the 78th DGA Awards nominee list tells a story about where the industry stands. Streaming platforms continue to dominate the television categories, with shows like Severance, Andor, and The Bear earning recognition for their distinctive visual languages. Meanwhile, the theatrical category reflects an industry that is still investing in bold, auteur-driven filmmaking even as the theatrical landscape evolves.
The presence of directors like Guillermo del Toro and Chloé Zhao alongside newer voices like Josh Safdie illustrates the Guild’s commitment to honoring both legacy and innovation. In the limited series space, the recognition of Netflix and prestige-platform offerings demonstrates that the format remains fertile ground for ambitious directorial work.
Final Thoughts
The 78th DGA Awards nominees represent a remarkable cross-section of contemporary directing talent. From the tense hospital corridors of The Pitt to the gothic landscapes of Frankenstein, from the biting satire of The Studio to the intimate character study of Hamnet, this year’s honorees remind us why directors are the architects of the stories that define our culture.
As the countdown to February 7, 2026, begins, anticipation will only build. Whether you’re a cinephile tracking the Oscar race, a devoted television viewer with strong opinions about your favorite episodes, or simply someone who appreciates the craft behind the camera, the 78th DGA Awards offer plenty to celebrate and even more to discuss in the months ahead.