April 10, 2021
Los Angeles – 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.
Presenters 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.
73rd Annual DGA Award Winners
& Special Award Recipients
Click the links below to view specific categories:
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:
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Chloé Zhao
Nomadland
(Searchlight Pictures)
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- Unit Production Manager: Mary Kerrigan
- First Assistant Director: Mary Kerrigan
This is Ms. Zhao’s first DGA Award nomination.
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Click here to view Ms. Zhao's acceptance speech.
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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:
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Darius Marder
Sound of Metal
(Amazon Studios)
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- Unit Production Manager: Amy Greene
This is Mr. Marder’s first DGA Award nomination.
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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:
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Scott Frank
The Queen’s Gambit
(Netflix)
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- First Assistant Director: Aldric La’auli Porter
This is Mr. Frank’s second DGA Award nomination. He was previously nominated in this category in 2017 for Godless.
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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:
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Lesli Linka Glatter
Homeland, “Prisoners of War”
(Showtime)
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- 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 forHomeland, “From A to B and Back Again, as well as in 2009 forMad Men, “Guy Walks into an Advertising Agency.” She was also nominated in 2018, 2016, 2013 and 2012 forHomelandepisodes, “Paean to the People,” “The Tradition of Hospitality,” “The Star,” and “Q & A,” as well as in 1990 forTwin Peaks, “Episode 32006.”
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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:
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Susanna Fogel
The Flight Attendant, “In Case of Emergency”
(HBO Max)
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- 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 Ms. Fogel’s first DGA Award nomination.
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Outstanding Directorial Achievement in
Documentary
The winners of the Directors Guild of America Award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Documentary for 2020 are:
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Michael Dweck & Gregory Kershaw
The Truffle Hunters
(Sony Pictures Classics)
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This is Mr. Dweck’s first DGA Award nomination.
This is Mr. Kershaw’s first DGA Award nomination.
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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:
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Don Roy King
Saturday Night Live, “Dave Chappelle; Foo Fighters”
(NBC)
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- Associate Directors: Michael Mancini, Michael Poole, Laura Ouziel‑Mack
- Stage Managers: Gena Rositano, Chris Kelly, Eddie Valk
This is Mr. 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 forSNL 40th Anniversary Specialin 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.”
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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:
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Thomas Schlamme
A West Wing Special to Benefit When We All Vote
(HBO Max)
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- 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 Mr. 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 hisSports Nightepisode “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 hisTracey Takes On...episode, “Tracy Takes On 1976,” and in 1996 for “Tracy Takes On Romance.”
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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:
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Joseph Guidry
Full Bloom, “Petal to the Metal”
(HBO Max)
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- Associate Director: Sean Galvin
- Lead Stage Manager: Jimmy Chriss
- Stage Managers: Rachel Shimko, Kristianna Laroda, Richard Melendez
This is Mr. Guidry’s first DGA Award nomination.
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Outstanding Directorial Achievement in
Commercials
The winner of the Directors Guild of America Award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Commercials for 2020 is:
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Melina Matsoukas
(Prettybird)
You Love Me, Beats by Dr. Dre‑ Translation
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- First Assistant Director: Paul Norman
- Second Assistant Director: Don Johnson
This is Ms. Matsoukas’s third DGA Award nomination. She was previously nominated in the Comedy Series category in 2017 for herMaster of Noneepisode, “Thanksgiving;” and in the Outstanding Directorial Achievement in First-Time Feature Film category in 2019 forQueen & Slim.
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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:
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Amy Schatz
We Are the Dream:
The Kids of the Oakland MLK Oratorical Fest
(HBO)
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This is Ms. 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
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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.
Click here to view Mr. Barclay's acceptance speech.
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BETTY THOMAS
Robert B. Aldrich Service Award
This award is given in recognition of Extraordinary Service to the Directors Guild of America and to its Membership.
Click here to view Ms. Thomas' acceptance speech.
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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.
Click here to view Mr. Frankish's acceptance speech.
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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.
Click here to view Ms. Thomas' acceptance speech.
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