DGA Announces Nominees for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Feature Film for 2015

Nominees for Inaugural First-Time Feature Film Director Category Also Announced

Los Angeles – Directors Guild of America President Paris Barclay today announced the five nominees for the DGA Award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Feature Film for 2015. 

“What makes this year different is the unbridled ambition of the five nominated films – in theme, in production, in visual imagination,” said Barclay. “What makes this year the same is that the films were all chosen by the directors’ peers, and it’s clear our members love when people use their vision and skill to push the media to new heights. Congratulations to all of the nominees for their incredible work.”  

The nominees for OUTSTANDING DIRECTORIAL ACHIEVEMENT IN FEATURE FILM FOR 2015 are (in alphabetical order): 

A New DGA Award Category Recognizing Emerging Talent in Feature Film

In addition, Mr. Barclay also announced the five nominees for a new category recognizing the achievement of first-time feature film directors. First announced by Steven Spielberg at last year’s DGA Awards, the Outstanding Directorial Achievement of a First-Time Feature Film Director is a new DGA Award that was created to showcase the feature film talent of the future. 

“There’s a first time for every feature filmmaker, but not every first time offers fresh viewpoints in storytelling that are imperative in this industry,” said Barclay. “The first-time feature directors we’re recognizing with this inaugural award we hope will develop successful and lengthy careers. We are excited and invigorated by all they have to offer.”

The nominees for OUTSTANDING DIRECTORIAL ACHIEVEMENT OF A FIRST-TIME FEATURE FILM DIRECTOR FOR 2015 are (in alphabetical order):

FERNANDO COIMBRA

A Wolf at the Door
(Outsider Pictures)

Mr. Coimbra's Directorial Team:

• Unit Production Manager: Clara Machado
• First Assistant Director: Suzy Milstein
• Second Assistant Director: Raquel Toledo

This is Mr. Coimbra's first DGA Award nomination.

JOEL EDGERTON

The Gift
(STX Entertainment)

Mr. Edgerton's Directorial Team:

• Unit Production Manager: Luc Etienne
• First Assistant Director: Michael J. Moore
• Second Assistant Director: Matt Haggerty
• Second Second Assistant Director: Dillon Neaman

This is Mr. Edgerton's first DGA Award nomination.

ALEX GARLAND

Ex Machina
(A24)

Mr. Garland's Directorial Team:

• Unit Production Manager: Sara Desmond
• First Assistant Director: Nick Heckstall-Smith
• Second Assistant Director: Ray Kenny

This is Mr. Garland's first DGA Award nomination.

MARIELLE HELLER

The Diary of a Teenage Girl
(Sony Pictures Classics)

Ms. Heller’s Directorial Team:

• Unit Production Manager: Molly Salz
• First Assistant Director: Brian Benson
• Second Assistant Director: Jerremy Stewart
• Second Second Assistant Director: Alex Gilbert

This is Ms. Heller's first DGA Award nomination.

LÁSZLÓ NEMES

Son of Saul
(Sony Pictures Classics)

Mr. Nemes’s Directorial Team: 

• Unit Production Manager: Gábor Szántó
• First Assistant Director: István Kolos
• Second Assistant Directors: Zoltán Gyovai, Edina Galgócz

This is Mr. Nemes's first DGA Award nomination.

Eligible directors for this award must have released his or her first feature-length film theatrically in Los Angeles or New York in 2015. Foreign films are eligible and the director does not need to be a DGA member.

Winners will be announced at the 68th Annual DGA Awards on Saturday evening, February 6, 2016 at the Hyatt Regency Century Plaza. The DGA Awards will be hosted by actor Jane Lynch.

DGA nominations for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Television, Commercials, and Documentaries will be announced on Wednesday, January 13, 2016.

BMW is the Exclusive Automotive Sponsor of the 68th Annual DGA Awards. 

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