Paul Thomas Anderson has emerged as the clear frontrunner for the Academy Award for Best Director after winning the top prize at the Directors Guild of America Awards (DGA) for One Battle After Another.
The win marks Anderson’s first DGA Award, following previous nominations for There Will Be Blood in 2007 and Licorice Pizza in 2021. The honor was presented Saturday night during the 78th annual DGA Awards at the Beverly Hilton, with Kumail Nanjiani hosting the ceremony.
Historically, the DGA Award has been one of the strongest indicators of Oscar success. The DGA winner has gone on to claim the Academy Award for Best Director in each of the past five years and in 21 of the last 25 years overall.
The evening also included a moving tribute from Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg, who won for directing an episode of Apple TV’s The Studio. During their acceptance speech, the pair honored Catherine O’Hara, who died January 30, and appeared in the series as a studio executive turned producer.
Goldberg reflected on O’Hara’s influence, calling her a lifelong idol, while Rogen praised her generosity and brilliance, noting how meaningful it was to direct her and create work worthy of her time and presence.
Two honorary awards were also presented. Veteran stage manager David Charles received the Franklin J. Schaffner Achievement Award for extraordinary service to the industry and the guild, while commercials first assistant director Gregory G. McCollum was honored with the Frank Capra Achievement Award for notable career achievements and outstanding service to the DGA.
Below is the complete list of winners from the 78th Annual DGA Awards:
Feature Film
Paul Thomas Anderson — One Battle After Another
Michael Apted Award for First-Time Feature Film
Charlie Polinger — The Plague
Dramatic Series
Amanda Marsalis — The Pitt (HBO Max), “6:00 P.M.”
Comedy Series
Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg — The Studio (Apple TV), “The Oner”
Limited or Anthology Series
Shannon Murphy — Dying for Sex (FX on Hulu), “It’s Not That Serious”
Movies for Television
Stephen Chbosky — Nonnas (Netflix)
Variety
Liz Patrick — SNL50: The Anniversary Special (NBC)
Sports
Matthew Gangl — 2025 World Series – Game 7: Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Toronto Blue Jays (FOX Sports)
Reality, Quiz, or Game
Mike Sweeney — Conan O’Brien Must Go, Austria (HBO Max)
Commercials
Kim Gehrig
• You Can’t Win. So Win. — Nike
• I’m Not Remarkable — Apple
Documentary Film
Mstyslav Chernov — 2000 Meters to Andriivka (PBS)
Documentary Series or News
Rebecca Miller — Mr. Scorsese (Apple TV), “All This Filming Isn’t Healthy”
For more Awards Season coverage, click here.
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