October 17, 2024
On October 17, 2024, the DGA celebrated the 25th Anniversary of DGA Honors at the Guild’s New York Theater. Held for the first time since 2018, this year’s honorees were Director Francis Ford Coppola, President of CBS/Paramount’s See It Now Studios and Former CBS News President Susan Zirinsky, Broadway Stages Founder Tony Argento along with its CEO & President Gina Argento, film distribution company Criterion and the renown children’s program Sesame Street, each of which have made a lasting impact on American culture through their unwavering dedication to the arts, and to film and television. In a ceremony emceed by Director, Actor, Producer and Writer Natasha Lyonne, DGA Honors celebrated the diversity of New York’s entertainment community.
DGA President Lesli Linka Glatter kicked off the ceremony stating, “Tonight we, as a community of filmmakers, come together not just to recognize the significance of a particular film or television show as we do at the DGA Awards, but to recognize the deeper, lasting contributions individuals and organizations from the arts, business, politics and labor have made to this wonderful and collaborative art form that we have dedicated ourselves to. It is such a perfect reminder that we are so lucky to being doing what we do, to be storytellers. We are joined by a legendary filmmaker, a pioneering news executive, visionary stage builders, film lovers and curators, a trailblazing children’s television show, and yes, even a Muppet! While they all bring something different to the table, they all share a passion for storytelling, and are vital to the success of our industry and our art.”
Glatter evoked the memory of former DGA National Vice President, the late Ed Sherin, the visionary behind DGA Honors. “Ed saw that our role as Directors and Directors team members places us in the center of the creative, business and political forces that must come to bear in the making of great film and television, and he gave life to an event that reflects this special intersection.”
DGA National Vice President Laura Belsey reminded the audience, “It was right across the Hudson River where the American film industry was born over one hundred years ago, followed by the arrival of live television in New York City several decades later. New York has always been, and remains, the heart of live theater, news and the advertising industry. It is perhaps because of the intertwining of so many different but related industries – documentary and news, live and televised theater, commercials, film and television – that New York has, in those memorable words, a palpable authenticity you can’t find elsewhere. It is a place where the industry has always come to re-invent itself – and, perhaps, may one day re-invent itself again.”
Before turning proceedings over to the host for the evening, Belsey thanked her 25th Anniversary DGA Honors Co-Chairs, Mary Rae Thewlis and Kathleen McGill, calling them, “the best partners I could ask for, as we slowly pieced together the puzzle of tonight’s festivities over the past two years.”
Taking the stage, Lyonne kept the audience both thinking and laughing with her timely humor-filled monologue before turning the proceedings over to the first presentation of the evening as CBS News journalist Lesley Stahl spoke about the first honoree, pioneering news executive Susan Zirinsky, whose fearless devotion to investigative journalism kept the world informed during challenging times.
Directors Darius Marder, Mira Nair and Barbara Kopple made the presentation to the exceptional team at the distribution company Criterion, who preserve and share some of the most significant films in history. They were joined by video tributes from Directors Richard Linklater and Guillermo del Toro who spoke about Criterion’s impact on the film community. Accepting DGA Honor were Criterion’s President Peter Becker and CEO Jonathan Turrell.
DGA Second Vice President Ron Howard made the presentation to the children’s program Sesame Street, which has defined excellence in children's television programming for more than 50 years. Accepting on behalf of Sesame Street was Sesame Workshop’s Executive Vice President, Chief Creative Development and Production Officer Kay Wilson Stallings who was joined onstage by the popular Sesame Street character, Ernie the Muppet.
Actor/Director Christopher Meloni and Actor Jeremy Sisto gave the audience background on Broadway Stages Founder Tony Argento and its CEO & President Gina Argento, whose unwavering support has fueled New York’s vibrant production community. Speaking on behalf of Gina Argento, Tony Argento thanked the Guild for recognizing their contributions to the community.
In the final presentation of the evening, Director Gia Coppola had the privilege of paying tribute to her grandfather, iconic Director Francis Ford Coppola, who has made an indelible mark on cinema and inspired generations of Directors. Against the backdrop of a standing ovation, Coppola thanked his Guild for honoring his legacy.
Following the ceremony, the DGA Honors attendees enjoyed the VIP after-party at New York’s exclusive Nobu 57 restaurant.
— photos by Marcie Revens and Ryan Jensen