The winners of the Directors Guild of America Outstanding Directorial Achievement Awards for 2020 were announced tonight during the 73rd Annual DGA Awards virtual ceremony. Chloé Zhao won the DGA Award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Theatrical Feature Film for Nomadland.
The moving film about grief and acceptance follows woman in her sixties (Frances McDormand) who, after losing everything in the Great Recession, embarks on a journey through the American West, living as a van-dwelling modern-day nomad.
Presenters for the event included (in alphabetical order): Scott Berger, James Burrows, Jason Cohen, Ava DuVernay, Lesli Linka Glatter, Tiffany Haddish, Bill Hader, Alma Har’el, Matthew Heineman, Spike Jonze, Nicole Kassell, Tina Mabry, Sam Mendes, Don Mischer, Dee Rees, and Phil Alden Robinson.
Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Theatrical Feature Film
The winner of the Directors Guild of America Award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Theatrical Feature Film for 2020 is:
Chloé Zhao | Nomadland | (Searchlight Pictures)
Unit Production Manager: Mary Kerrigan
First Assistant Director: Mary Kerrigan
This is Zhao’s first DGA Award nomination and win.
Outstanding Directorial Achievement in First-Time Feature Film
The winner of the Directors Guild of America Award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement of a First-Time Feature Film Director for 2020 is:
Darius | Marder Sound of Metal | (Amazon Studios)
Unit Production Manager: Amy Greene
This is Marder’s first DGA Award nomination and win.
Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Movies for Television and Limited Series
The winner of the Directors Guild of America Award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Movies for Television and Limited Series for 2020 is:
Scott Frank | The Queen’s Gambit | (Netflix)
First Assistant Director: Aldric La’auli Porter.
This is Frank’s second DGA Award nomination. He was previously nominated in this category in 2017 for Godless.
Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Dramatic Series
The winner of the Directors Guild of America Award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Dramatic Series for 2020 is:
Lesli Linka Glatter | Homeland, “Prisoners of War” | (Showtime)
Unit Production Managers: Michael Klick, Philippa Naughten
First Assistant Director: Sunday Stevens
Second Assistant Director: Wendy Bledsoe
Second Second Assistant Director: Yarden Levo
This is Ms. Glatter’s eighth DGA Award nomination. She previously won in this category in 2015 for Homeland, “From A to B and Back Again, as well as in 2009 for Mad Men, “Guy Walks into an Advertising Agency.”
She was also nominated in 2018, 2016, 2013 and 2012 for Homelandepisodes, “Paean to the People,” “The Tradition of Hospitality,” “The Star,” and “Q & A,” as well as in 1990 for Twin Peaks, “Episode 32006.”
Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Comedy Series
The winner of the Directors Guild of America Award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Comedy Series for 2020 is:
Susanna Fogel |The Flight Attendant, “In Case of Emergency” | (HBO Max)
Unit Production Manager: Bonnie Muñoz
First Assistant Director: Derek Peterson
Second Assistant Director: Jacquie Dore
Second Second Assistant Director: Zach Citarella
Location Manager: Chris Banks
This is Fogel’s first DGA Award nomination and win.
Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Documentary
The winners of the Directors Guild of America Award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Documentary for 2020 are:
Michael Dweck & Gregory Kershaw |The Truffle Hunters | (Sony Pictures Classics)
This is Dweck’s first DGA Award nomination. This is also Kershaw’s first DGA Award nomination.
Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Variety/Talk/News/Sports – Regularly Scheduled Programming
The winner of the Directors Guild of America Award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Variety/Talk/News/Sports – Regularly Scheduled Programming for is:
Don Roy King | Saturday Night Live, “Dave Chappelle; Foo Fighters” | (NBC)Associate
Directors: Michael Mancini, Michael Poole, Laura Ouziel‑MackStage Managers: Gena Rositano, Chris Kelly, Eddie Valk
This is King’s 15th DGA Award nomination. He previously won the DGA Award in this category for SNL episodes: E. Murphy; Lizzo” in 2019, “Adam Driver; Kanye West” in 2018, “Host: Jimmy Fallon” in 2017, “Host: Dave Chappelle” in 2016 and for “Host: Justin Timberlake” in 2013. Mr King also won the DGA Award for Variety/Talk/News/Sports – Specials for SNL 40th Anniversary Special in 2015.
He was previously nominated forSNLepisodes in 2006, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2014, and in 2015 in the Variety/Talk/News/Sports – Regularly Scheduled Programming category for theSaturday Night Liveepisode, “Host: Tracy Morgan/Musical Guest: Demi Lovato.”
Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Variety/Talk/News/Sports – Specials
The winner of the Directors Guild of America Award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Variety/Talk/News/Sports – Specials for 2020 is:
Thomas Schlamme |A West Wing Special to Benefit When We All Vote | (HBO Max)
Unit Production Manager: Debra James
First Assistant Director: Shawn Pipkin‑West
Second Assistant Director: Courtney Franklin
Second Second Assistant Directors: Ni’cole Pettis, Cathy Bond
This is Schlamme’s ninth DGA nomination. He is a three-time DGA Award-winner: in the Dramatic Series – Night category in 2000 for hisThe West Wingepisode “Noel;” and in the Comedy Series category in 1998 for his Sports Night episode “Small Town” and in 1999 for the pilot episode of that series.
He was also previously nominated in the Dramatic Series category in 2006 for the pilot episode ofStudio 60 on the Sunset Strip, in 2002 for hisThe West Wingepisode “Two Cathedrals;” in 1999 for the pilot episode of that series; and in the Musical/Variety category in 1996 for his Tracey Takes On…episode, “Tracy Takes On 1976,” and in 1996 for “Tracy Takes On Romance.”
Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Reality Programs
The winner of the Directors Guild of America Award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Reality Programs for 2020 is:
Joseph Guidry |Full Bloom, “Petal to the Metal” | (HBO Max)
Associate Director: Sean Galvin
Lead Stage Manager: Jimmy Chriss
Stage Managers: Rachel Shimko, Kristianna Laroda, Richard Melendez
This is Guidry’s first DGA Award nomination and win.
Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Commercials
The winner of the Directors Guild of America Award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Commercials for 2020 is:
Melina Matsoukas | (Prettybird) | You Love Me, Beats by Dr. Dre‑ Translation
Second Assistant Director: Don Johnson
This is Matsoukas’ third DGA Award nomination. She was previously nominated in the Comedy Series category in 2017 for her Master of None episode, “Thanksgiving;” and in the Outstanding Directorial Achievement in First-Time Feature Film category in 2019 for Queen & Slim.
Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Children’s Programs
The winner of the Directors Guild of America Award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Children’s Programs for 2020 is:
Amy Schatz | We Are the Dream: The Kids of the Oakland MLK Oratorical Fest | (HBO)
This is Schatz’s twelfth DGA Award nomination. She has won six DGA Awards in this category for: Song of Parkland in 2019, An Apology to Elephants in 2013, A Child’s Garden of Poetry in 2011, Classical Baby (I’m Grown Up Now), “The Poetry Show” in 2008, ‘Twas the Night in 2001 and Goodnight Moon & Other Sleepy Time Tales in 1999.
She was also nominated an additional five times in this category for Saving My Tomorrow, “Part 3” in 2015, Saving My Tomorrow, “Part 1 and 2” in 2014, Don’t Divorce Me! Kids’ Rules for Parents on Divorce in 2012, Hard Times for an American Girl: The Great Depression in 2009 and Through a Child’s Eyes: September 11, 2001 in 2002.
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Lifetime Achievement & Service Award Recipients
PARIS BARCLAY | Life Membership Award
This award is given in recognition of Leadership in the Industry, Contribution to the Guild and the Profession of Directing, and Outstanding Career Achievement.
BETTY THOMAS | Robert B. Alrich Service Award
This award is given in recognition of Extraordinary Service to the Directors Guild of America and to its Membership.
BRIAN E. FRANKISH | Frank Capra Achievement Award
This award is given to an Assistant Director or Unit Production Manager in recognition of career achievement in the industry and service to the Directors Guild of America.
JOYCE THOMAS | Franklin J. Schaffner Achievement Award
This award is given to an Associate Director or Stage Manager in recognition of career achievement in the industry and service to the Directors Guild of America.
Zhao’s win gives us a good idea as to who will take the Oscar for Best Director when the event airs on ABC, April 25.
