Dramatic Series; Comedy Series; Movies for Television and Mini-Series; Variety/Talk/News/Sports – Regularly Scheduled Programming; Variety/Talk/News/Sports – Specials; Reality Programs; Children’s Programs; Commercials; and Documentary
Los Angeles – Directors Guild of America President Paris Barclay today announced the DGA’s nominees for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Television, Commercials and Documentary for 2016.
“There’s so much to celebrate in such an incredible year for television, commercials and documentaries as we announce the DGA nominees for directorial achievement,” said Barclay. “As content across these categories reaches record levels, the bar is set higher than ever for directors – with each genre requiring unique skillsets and talents. And our nominees this year have far surpassed the challenge with such creative and captivating projects. I congratulate all of them on their exceptional work.”
The winners will be announced at the 69th Annual DGA Awards on Saturday, February 4, 2017 at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills.
Click the links below to view specific categories:
Outstanding Directorial Achievement in
Dramatic Series
The nominees for the Directors Guild of America Award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Dramatic Series for 2016 are (in alphabetical order):
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THE DUFFER BROTHERSStranger Things, “Chapter One: The Vanishing of Will Byers” (Netflix) |
The Duffer Brothers’ Directorial Team:
This is Mr. Matt Duffer’s first DGA Award nomination. This is Mr. Ross Duffer’s first DGA Award nomination. |
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RYAN MURPHYThe People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story, “From the Ashes of Tragedy” (FX) |
Mr. Murphy’s Directorial Team:
This is Mr. Murphy’s fourth DGA Award nomination. He was previously nominated for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Movies for Television and Mini-Series in 2014 for The Normal Heart; for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Comedy Series in 2009 for the Glee pilot; and in 2010 for the Glee episode “The Power of Madonna.” |
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JONATHAN NOLANWestworld, “The Original” (HBO) |
Mr. Nolan’s Directorial Team:
This is Mr. Nolan’s first DGA Award nomination. |
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MIGUEL SAPOCHNIKGame of Thrones, “The Battle of the Bastards” (HBO) |
This is Mr. Sapochnik’s first DGA Award nomination. |
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JOHN SINGLETONThe People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story, “The Race Card” (FX) |
Mr. Singleton’s Directorial Team:
This is Mr. Singleton’s first DGA Award nomination. |
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Outstanding Directorial Achievement in
Comedy Series
The nominees for the Directors Guild of America Award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Comedy Series for 2016 are (in alphabetical order):
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ALEC BERGSilicon Valley, “Daily Active Users” (HBO) |
Mr. Berg’s Directorial Team:
This is Mr. Berg’s first DGA Award nomination. |
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DONALD GLOVERAtlanta, “B.A.N.” (FX) |
Mr. Glover’s Directorial Team:
This is Mr. Glover’s first DGA Award nomination. |
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MIKE JUDGESilicon Valley, “Founder Friendly” (HBO) |
Mr. Judge’s Directorial Team:
This is Mr. Judge’s third DGA Award nomination. He was previously nominated in this same category in 2014 for the Silicon Valley episode “Minimum Viable Product” and in 2015 for the Silicon Valley episode “Binding Arbitration.” |
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BECKY MARTINVeep, “Inauguration” (HBO) |
Ms. Martin’s Directorial Team:
This is Ms. Martin’s first DGA Award nomination. |
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DALE STERNVeep, “Mother” (HBO) |
Mr. Stern’s Directorial Team:
This is Mr. Stern’s first DGA Award nomination. |
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Outstanding Directorial Achievement in
Movies for Television and Mini-Series
The nominees for the Directors Guild of America Award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Movies for Television and Mini-Series for 2016 are (in alphabetical order):
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RAYMOND DE FELITTAMadoff (ABC) |
Mr. De Felitta’s Directorial Team:
This is Mr. De Felitta’s first DGA Award nomination. |
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THOMAS KAIL (Directed By)
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Directorial Team:
This is Mr. Kail’s first DGA Award nomination. This is one of two DGA Award nominations this year for Mr. Rudzinski in this category. He is also nominated with Kenny Leon for Hairspray Live! He has not been previously nominated. |
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KENNY LEON (Directed By)
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Directorial Team:
This is Mr. Leon’s third DGA Award nomination. He was previously nominated in this same category in 2008 for A Raisin in the Sun and in 2015 with Matthew Diamond for The Wiz Live! This is one of two DGA Award nominations this year for Mr. Rudzinski in this category. He is also nominated with Thomas Kail for Grease Live! He has not been previously nominated. |
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JAY ROACHAll the Way (HBO) |
Mr. Roach’s Directorial Team:
This is Mr. Roach’s third DGA Award nomination. He previously won the DGA Award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Movies for Television and Mini-Series in 2008 for Recount and in 2012 for Game Change. |
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STEVEN ZAILLIANThe Night Of, “The Beach” (HBO) |
Mr. Zaillian’s Directorial Team:
This is Mr. Zaillian’s first DGA Award nomination. |
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Outstanding Directorial Achievement in
Variety/Talk/News/Sports – Regularly Scheduled Programming
The nominees for the Directors Guild of America Award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Variety/Talk/News/Sports – Regularly Scheduled Programming for 2016 are (in alphabetical order):
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PAUL G. CASEYReal Time with Bill Maher, “Show #1437” (HBO) |
Mr. Casey’s Directorial Team:
This is Mr. Casey’s third DGA Award nomination. He previously was nominated in this category in 2015 and 2014 for Real Time with Bill Maher “Show #1334” and “Show #1226.” |
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NORA GERARDCBS Sunday Morning, “Charles Osgood Farewell Broadcast” (CBS) |
Ms. Gerard’s Directorial Team:
This is Ms. Gerard’s first DGA Award nomination. |
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JIM HOSKINSONThe Late Show with Stephen Colbert, “Episode #0179” (CBS) |
Mr. Hoskinson’s Directorial Team:
This is Mr. Hoskinson’s fourth DGA Award nomination. He previously was nominated in this category in 2015, 2013 and 2007 for The Colbert Report episodes “11040,” “10004” and “3052.” |
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DON ROY KINGSaturday Night Live, “Host: Dave Chappelle” (NBC) |
Mr. King’s Directorial Team:
This is Mr. King’s eleventh DGA Award nomination. He previously won the DGA Award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Variety/Talk/News/Sports – Specials in 2015 for Saturday Night Live 40th Anniversary Special and for Variety/Talk/News/Sports – Regularly Scheduled Programming in 2013 for Saturday Night Live “Host: Justin Timberlake.” He was previously nominated for Saturday Night Live episodes in 2006, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2014, and in 2015 in the Variety/Talk/News/Sports – Regularly Scheduled Programming category for the Saturday Night Live episode, “Host: Tracy Morgan/Musical Guest: Demi Lovato.” |
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PAUL PENNOLINOFull Frontal with Samantha Bee, “Episode #1030” (TBS) |
Mr. Pennolino’s Directorial Team:
This is Mr. Pennolino’s first DGA Award nomination. |
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Outstanding Directorial Achievement in
Variety/Talk/News/Sports – Specials
The nominees for the Directors Guild of America Award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in
Variety/Talk/News/Sports – Specials for 2016 are (in alphabetical order):
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JERRY FOLEYTony Bennett Celebrates 90 - The Best is Yet to Come (NBC) |
Mr. Foley’s Directorial Team:
This is Mr. Foley’s ninth DGA Award nomination. He was previously nominated in the Musical Variety category, all for the Late Show with David Letterman, in 2007, 2005, 2004, 2002, 2001, 2000, 1999 and 1998 for episodes “#2773,” “#2452,” “#2187,” “#1876,” “#1634,” “#1527,” “#1294,” and “#958.” |
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TIM MANCINELLIThe Late Late Show with James Corden, “The Late Late Show Carpool Karaoke Primetime Special” (CBS) |
Mr. Mancinelli’s Directorial Team:
This is Mr. Mancinelli’s first DGA Award nomination. |
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LINDA MENDOZASmithsonian Salutes Ray Charles: In Performance at the White House (PBS) |
Ms. Mendoza’s Directorial Team:
This is Ms. Mendoza’s second DGA Award nomination. She was previously nominated in the Musical Variety category in 2010 for Paul McCartney: The Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song in Performance at The White House. |
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PAUL MYERSFull Frontal with Samantha Bee, “A Very Special Full Frontal Special” (TBS) |
This is Mr. Myers’s first DGA Award nomination. |
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GLENN WEISSThe 70th Annual Tony Awards (CBS) |
Mr. Weiss’s Directorial Team:
This is Mr. Weiss’s thirteenth DGA Award nomination. He previously won the DGA Award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Variety/Talk/News/Sports – Specials in 2007, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2015 for the 61st, 64th, 65th, 66th, 67th and 68th Annual Tony Awards. He was also nominated in 2001, 2002, 2005, 2006 and 2008 for the 55th, 56th, 59th, 60th, and 62nd Annual Tony Awards. He was also nominated in 2015 for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Movies for Television and Mini-Series, together with Rob Ashford, for Peter Pan Live! |
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Outstanding Directorial Achievement in
Reality Programs
The nominees for the Directors Guild of America Award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Reality Programs for 2016 are (in alphabetical order):
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KEN FUCHSShark Tank, “801” (ABC) |
Mr. Fuchs’s Directorial Team:
This is Mr. Fuchs’s second DGA Award nomination. He was previously nominated in this category in 2015 for Shark Tank, “702.” |
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JOHN GONZALEZLive PD, “Episode 5” (A&E) |
Mr. Gonzalez’s Directorial Team:
This is Mr. Gonzalez’s first DGA Award nomination. |
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BRIAN SMITHSTRONG, “Welcome to STRONG” (NBC) |
Mr. Smith’s Directorial Team:
This is Mr. Smith’s fourth DGA Award nomination. He previously won in this category in 2012 for Master Chef, “Episode #305.” He was also nominated in 2010 for Master Chef, “Episode #103,” and in 2011 for Master Chef, “Episode #201.” |
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J. RUPERT THOMPSONAmerican Grit, “The Finale ‑ Over the Falls” (FOX) |
Mr. Thompson’s Directorial Team:
This is Mr. Thompson’s seventh DGA Award nomination. He previously won in this category in 2005 for Fear Factor, “Heist Fear Factor, Season 6 Premiere.” He was also nominated in 2006 for Fear Factor, “Military Fear Factor, Season Finale,” in 2008 for Estate of Panic, “102, That Sinking Feeling,” in 2011 for Fear Factor 2.0, “Scorpion Tales,” in 2012 for Stars Earn Stripes, “Amphibious Assault,” and in 2013 for The Hero, “Teamwork.” |
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BERTRAM VAN MUNSTERThe Amazing Race, “We’re Only Doing Freaky Stuff Today” (CBS) |
Mr. van Munster’s Directorial Team:
This is Mr. van Munster’s eleventh DGA Award nomination. He won in this category in 2007 for The Amazing Race, “Episode #1110” and was also nominated an additional eight times in this category for the The Amazing Race: in 2005 for “Episode #805,” in 2006 for “Episode #102,” in 2008 for “Episode #1303,” in 2009 for “Don’t Let A Cheese Hit Me,” in 2010 for “I Think We’re Fighting the Germans, Right?,” in 2011 for “You Don’t Get Paid Unless You Win?”, in 2013 for “Beards in the Wind,” and in 2015 for “Bring The Fun, Baby!” He was also nominated with Directors Jack Cannon and Elise Doganieri in 2014 for The Quest, “One True Hero.” |
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Outstanding Directorial Achievement in
Children's Programs
The nominees for the Directors Guild of America Award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Children’s Programs for 2016 are (in alphabetical order):
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LIZ ALLENThe Kicks, “Pilot” (Amazon) |
Ms. Allen’s Directorial Team:
This is Ms. Allen’s first DGA Award nomination. |
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ALETHEA JONESGortimer Gibbon’s Life on Normal Street, “Gortimer and the Jacks of All Trades” (Amazon) |
Ms. Jones’s Directorial Team:
This is Ms. Jones’s first DGA Award nomination. |
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MICHAEL LEMBECKA Nutcracker Christmas (Hallmark Channel) |
This is Mr. Lembeck’s second DGA Award nomination. He was previously nominated in this category in 2011 for Sharpay’s Fabulous Adventure. |
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TINA MABRYAn American Girl Story ‑ Melody 1963: Love Has to Win (Amazon) |
Ms. Mabry’s Directorial Team:
This is Ms. Mabry’s first DGA Award nomination. |
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JOHN SCHULTZAdventures in Babysitting (Disney Channel) |
This is Mr. Schultz’s first DGA Award nomination. |
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Outstanding Directorial Achievement in
Commercials
The nominees for the Directors Guild of America Award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Commercials for 2016 are (in alphabetical order):
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LANCE ACORD(Park Pictures) |
Frankie’s Holiday, Apple – MAL
Movie Night, Kohl’s – Anomaly
This is Mr. Acord’s fourth DGA Award nomination in this category. He was previously nominated in 2012, 2011 and 2003. |
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DANTE ARIOLA(MJZ) |
Hold Your Breath, SunTrust – Strawberry Frog
Riding is the New Driving, Lyft – Made Movement
Tell Me When To Go, Beats
This is Mr. Ariola’s seventh DGA Award nomination in this category. He won the DGA Award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Commercials for Snowball (Traveler’s Insurance), Human (Johnny Walker), and First Taste (Coca-Cola) in 2006. He was also nominated in this category in 2011, 2007, 2004, 2002 and 2000. |
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FREDRIK BOND(MJZ) |
Dive, Apple
Everyday Hero, Philips – Ogilvy & Mather World of Play, LG – Energy BBDO
This is Mr. Bond’s seventh DGA Award nomination. He was previously nominated in this category in 2013, 2012, 2011, 2008, 2007 and 2004. |
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DEREK CIANFRANCE(RadicalMedia) |
Chase, Nike Golf – Wieden + Kennedy Portland
Doubts, Powerade – Wieden + Kennedy Portland
Expectations, Powerade – Wieden + Kennedy Portland
Manifesto, Squarespace – Anomaly
This is Mr. Cianfrance’s first DGA Award nomination. |
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AG ROJAS(Park Pictures) |
The Best Planet, S7 Airlines – Wieden + Kennedy Amsterdam The Snail, Samsung – Leo Burnett USA
This is Mr. Rojas’s first DGA Award nomination. |
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Outstanding Directorial Achievement in
Documentary
The nominees for the Directors Guild of America Award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Documentary for 2016 are (in alphabetical order):
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OTTO BELLThe Eagle Huntress Sony Pictures Classics |
This is Mr. Bell’s first DGA Award nomination. |
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EZRA EDELMANO.J.: Made in America ESPN Films |
This is Mr. Edelman’s first DGA Award nomination. |
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JOSH KRIEGMAN & ELYSE STEINBERGWeiner Sundance Selects/Showtime Documentary Films |
This is Mr. Kriegman’s first DGA Award nomination. This is Ms. Steinberg’s first DGA Award nomination. |
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RAOUL PECKI Am Not Your Negro Magnolia Pictures |
This is Mr. Peck’s first DGA Award nomination. |
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ROGER ROSS WILLIAMSLife, Animated The Orchard |
This is Mr. Williams’s first DGA Award nomination. |
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The winners in all categories will be announced at the 69th Annual DGA Awards on Saturday, February 4, 2017 at the Beverly Hilton Hotel.
BMW is the Exclusive Automotive Sponsor of the 69th Annual DGA Awards.
Click here for the full 2016-17 Schedule of Dates for the 69th Annual DGA Awards.
↩ Click here to return to the top of the page.
The winners in all categories will be announced at the 69th Annual DGA Awards on Saturday, February 4, 2017 at the Beverly Hilton Hotel.
BMW is the Exclusive Automotive Sponsor of the 69th Annual DGA Awards.
Click here to download a press credential application.