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DGA Announces Nominees for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Television, Commercials and Documentary for 2021

January 26, 2022
Dramatic Series; Comedy Series; Movies for Television and Limited Series; Variety/Talk/News/Sports – Regularly Scheduled Programming; Variety/Talk/News/Sports – Specials; Reality Programs; Children’s Programs; Commercials; and Documentary

Los Angeles – The Directors Guild of America today announced the nominees for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Television, Commercials and Documentary for 2021.

The winners will be announced at the 74th Annual DGA Awards on Saturday, March 12, 2022.

 
Click the links below to view specific categories:
 

Dramatic Series

Comedy Series
 

Movies for Television
& Limited Series

Documentary
 

Reality Programs

Children's Programs
 

Commercials

Variety/Talk/News/Sports –
Regularly Scheduled Programming
 

Variety/Talk/News/Sports – Specials

 

Outstanding Directorial Achievement in
Dramatic Series

The nominees for the Directors Guild of America Award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Dramatic Series for 2021 are (in alphabetical order):
KEVIN BRAY

Succession, "Retired Janitors of Idaho"

(HBO)

 

Mr. Bray's Directorial Team:

  • Unit Production Managers: Gabrielle Mahon, Scott Ferguson
  • First Assistant Director: John Silvestri
  • Second Assistant Director: Nicholas Notte
  • Assistant Unit Production Manager: Robert Striem
  • Second Second Assistant Directors: Jimmy Rosario, Nicole Payson
  • Location Manager: Paul Eskenazi

This is Mr. Bray’s first DGA Award nomination.

MARK MYLOD

Succession, "All the Bells Say"

(HBO)

 

Mr. Mylod's Directorial Team:

  • Unit Production Managers: Gabrielle Mahon, Scott Ferguson
  • First Assistant Director: Christo Morse
  • Second Assistant Directors: Michelle Flevotomas, Nicholas Notte
  • Assistant Unit Production Manager: Robert Striem
  • Location Manager: Paul Eskenazi

This is Mr. Mylod’s second DGA Award nomination. He was previously nominated in this category in 2020 for Succession, “This Is Not for Tears.”

ANDRIJ PAREKH

Succession, "What It Takes"

(HBO)

Mr. Parekh's Directorial Team:

  • Unit Production Managers: Gabrielle Mahon, Scott Ferguson
  • First Assistant Director: Christo Morse
  • Second Assistant Director: Michelle Flevotomas
  • Assistant Unit Production Manager: Robert Striem
  • Second Second Assistant Directors: Jimmy Rosario, Nicole Payson
  • Location Manager: Paul Eskenazi

This is Mr. Parekh’s first DGA Award nomination.

ROBERT PULCINI & SHARI SPRINGER BERMAN

Succession, "Lion in the Meadow"

(HBO)

Mr. Pulcini & Ms. Berman’s Directorial Team:

  • Unit Production Managers: Gabrielle Mahon, Scott Ferguson
  • First Assistant Director: Christo Morse
  • Second Assistant Director: Michelle Flevotomas
  • Assistant Unit Production Manager: Robert Striem
  • Second Second Assistant Director: Jimmy Rosario
  • Additional Second Assistant Director: Nicole Payson
  • Location Manager: Paul Eskenazi

This is Mr. Pulcini’s first DGA Award nomination.

This is Ms. Berman’s first DGA Award nomination.

LORENE SCAFARIA

Succession, "Too Much Birthday"

(HBO)

Ms. Scafaria's Directorial Team:

  • Unit Production Managers: Gabrielle Mahon, Scott Ferguson
  • First Assistant Director: John Silvestri
  • Second Assistant Director: Nicholas Notte
  • Assistant Unit Production Manager: Robert Striem
  • Second Second Assistant Directors: Jimmy Rosario, Nicole Payson
  • Additional Second Assistant Director: Matt O'Shea
  • Location Manager: Paul Eskenazi

This is Ms. Scafaria’s first DGA Award nomination.
 

Outstanding Directorial Achievement in
Comedy Series

The nominees for the Directors Guild of America Award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Comedy Series for 2021 are (in alphabetical order): 
LUCIA ANIELLO

Hacks, "There Is No Line"

(HBO Max)

Ms. Aniello's Directorial Team:

  • Unit Production Managers: Melanie J. Elin, David Hyman
  • First Assistant Director: Jeff Rosenberg
  • Second Assistant Director: Erin Stern Linares
  • Second Second Assistant Director: Heidi Hinzman
  • Additional Second Assistant Director: Alaina Neumann

This is Ms. Aniello’s first DGA Award nomination.

MJ DELANEY

Ted Lasso, "No Weddings and a Funeral"

(Apple TV+)

This is Ms. Delaney’s second DGA Award nomination. She was previously nominated in this category in 2020 for Ted Lasso, “The Hope that Kills You.”

ERICA DUNTON

Ted Lasso, "Rainbow"

(Apple TV+)

This is Ms. Dunton’s first DGA Award nomination.

SAM JONES

Ted Lasso, "Beard After Hours"

(Apple TV+)

This is Mr. Jones’s first DGA Award nomination.

MIKE WHITE

The White Lotus, "Mysterious Monkeys"

(HBO)

Mr. White's Directorial Team:

  • Unit Production Manager: Mark Kamine
  • First Assistant Director: Justin Ritson
  • Second Assistant Director: Joe Landry
  • Second Second Assistant Director: Dais Kasagawa

This is Mr. White’s first DGA Award nomination.
 

Outstanding Directorial Achievement in
Movies for Television and Limited Series

The nominees for the Directors Guild of America Award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Movies for Television and Limited Series for 2021 are (in alphabetical order):
BARRY JENKINS

The Underground Railroad

(Amazon)

Mr. Jenkins's Directorial Team:

  • Unit Production Manager: Richleigh Heagh
  • First Assistant Director: Liz Tan
  • Second Assistant Director: Elaine Wood
  • Second Second Assistant Director: Wayne Witherspoon
  • Additional Second Assistant Directors: Jesse Carmona, AJ Bruno

This is Mr. Jenkins’s second DGA Award nomination. He was previously nominated in the Theatrical Feature Film category in 2016 for Moonlight.

BARRY LEVINSON

Dopesick, "First Bottle"

(Hulu)

Mr. Levinson's Directorial Team:

  • Unit Production Manager: Marc Hammer
  • First Assistant Director: Karen Kane
  • Second Assistant Director: Chelsea Ryan Petrucci
  • Second Second Assistant Director: Alex Bonner

This is Mr. Levinson’s eighth DGA Award nomination. He was previously nominated in this same category in 2018 for Paterno, in 2017 for The Wizard of Lies and in 2010 for You Don’t Know Jack. He won the DGA Award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Feature Film in 1988 for Rain Man and was previously nominated in that category in 1990 for Avalon and in 1991 for Bugsy. He was also nominated in the Dramatic Series category in 1993 for the Homicide: Life on the Street episode “Gone for Goode.”

HIRO MURAI

Station Eleven, "Wheel of Fire"

(HBO Max)

Mr. Murai's Directorial Team:

  • Unit Production Managers: Dana Scott, David Nicksay
  • First Assistant Director: Jennifer Wilkinson
  • Second Assistant Director: Larissa Malarek
  • Second Second Assistant Director: Olivia Dame  
  • Location Manager: Stefan Nikolov

This is Mr. Murai’s second DGA Award nomination. He was previously nominated in the Comedy Series category in 2018 for his Atlanta episode “Teddy Perkins.”

DANNY STRONG

Dopesick, "The People vs. Purdue Pharma"

(Hulu)

Mr. Strong's Directorial Team:

  • Unit Production Manager: Marc Hammer
  • First Assistant Director: Donald Murphy
  • Second Assistant Director: Peter Dress
  • Second Second Assistant Director: Alex Bonner

This is Mr. Strong’s first DGA Award nomination.

CRAIG ZOBEL

Mare of Easttown

(HBO)

Mr. Zobel's Directorial Team:

  • Unit Production Managers: Karen Wacker, Ron Schmidt
  • First Assistant Director: Kayse Goodell
  • Second Assistant Director: Jackson Rowe
  • Assistant Unit Production Manager: Jason Graham  
  • Second Second Assistant Director: Blair Howley
  • Additional Second Assistant Directors: Findlay Zotter, Laura Hoyt

This is Mr. Zobel’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 2021 are (in alphabetical order):
PAUL G. CASEY

Real Time with Bill Maher,
"Episode 1935: Fareed Zakaria,
Chris Christie, Eric Adams"

(HBO)

Mr. Casey's Directorial Team:

  • Associate Director: Stacy Talbot
  • Stage Managers: Brian Anderson, Patrick Whitney

This is Mr. Casey’s eighth DGA Award nomination. He was previously nominated in this category in 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015 and 2014 for Real Time with Bill Maher, “Episode 1835,” “Episode 1730,” “Show #1633,” “Show #1527,” Show #1437,” “Show #1334” and “Show #1226.”

JIM HOSKINSON

The Late Show with
Stephen Colbert, "Episode 1105"

(CBS)

Mr. Hoskinson's Directorial Team:

  • Associate Directors: Yvonne De Mare, Karen Yaeger
  • Stage Managers: Mark McKenna, Jeff Leib

This is Mr. Hoskinson’s tenth DGA Award nomination. He was previously nominated in this category for The Late Show with Stephen Colbert episodes in 2020 for “#1025 Live Show Following Capitol Insurrection,” 2019 for “A. Ocasio-Cortez; Incubus,” in 2018 for “Episode #480,” in 2017 for “Joe Biden/Elton John,” in 2016 for “Episode #0179” and in 2015, 2013 and 2007 for The Colbert Report episodes, “11040,” “10004” and “3052.” He was also nominated in 2020 in the Variety/Talk/News/Sports – Specials category for The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, “Stephen Colbert’s Election Night 2020: Democracy’s Last Stand: Building Back America Great Again Better 2020.”

DON ROY KING

Saturday Night Live,
" Keegan-Michael Key; Olivia Rodrigo"

(NBC)

Mr. King's Directorial Team:

  • Associate Directors: Michael Mancini, Michael Poole, Laura Ouziel-Mack
  • Stage Managers: Gena Rositano, Chris Kelly, Eddie Valk

This is Mr. King’s 16th DGA Award nomination. He previously won the DGA Award in this category for SNL episodes: Dave Chappelle; Foo Fighters” in 2020, 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 for SNL 40th Anniversary Special in 2015. He was previously nominated for SNL 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.”

DAVID PAUL MEYER

The Daily Show with
Trevor Noah, "Episode 26112"

(Comedy Central)

Mr. Meyer's Directorial Team:

  • Associate Director: Kira Klang Hopf
  • Stage Manager: Bennymar Almonte

This is Mr. Meyer’s second DGA Award nomination. He was previously nominated in this category in 2020 for The Daily Show with Trevor Noah, “President Obama: Inspiring Future Leaders & ‘A Promised Land.’”

PAUL PENNOLINO &
CHRISTOPHER WERNER

Last Week Tonight with John Oliver,
"Episode 830 ‑ Season Finale"

(HBO)

Mr. Pennolino & Mr. Werner’s Directorial Team:

  • Associate Director: Elliot Mendelson
  • Stage Managers: Mark McKenna, Craig Spinney

This is Mr. Pennolino’s sixth DGA Award nomination. He was previously nominated in this category in 2019, 2018 and 2017 for Last Week Tonight with John Oliver episodes, “SLAPP Suits” (with Christopher Werner), “Italian Elections” and “French Elections” and in 2016 for Full Frontal with Samantha Bee “Episode #1030.” He was also nominated in 2017 in the Variety/Talk/News/Sports – Specials category for Full Frontal with Samantha Bee Presents Not the White House Correspondents’ Dinner.

This is Mr. Werner’s third DGA Award nomination for Last Week Tonight with John Oliver. He was previously nominated in this category in 2020 for “Trump & Election Results” and in 2019 with Paul Pennolino for “SLAPP Suits.”

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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 2021 are (in alphabetical order):
IAN BERGER

The Daily Show with Trevor Noah Presents,
"Jordan Klepper Fingers the Pulse - Into the Magaverse"

(Comedy Central)

 

This is Mr. Berger’s first DGA Award nomination.

BO BURNHAM

Bo Burnham: Inside

(Netflix)

 

This is Mr. Burnham’s second DGA Award nomination. He won the DGA Award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in First-Time Feature Film in 2018 for Eighth Grade.

PAUL DUGDALE

Adele: One Night Only

(CBS)

Mr. Dugdale's Directorial Team:

  • Associate Director: Hayley Collett
  • Stage Managers: Gary Natoli, Erica Christensen, Zachary Figures, Jackie Stathis

This is Mr. Dugdale’s first DGA Award nomination.

STAN LATHAN

Dave Chappelle: The Closer

(Netflix)

Mr. Lathan's Directorial Team:

  • Associate Director: Sara Niimi
  • Stage Manager: Valdez Flagg

This is Mr. Lathan’s third DGA Award nomination. He was previously nominated in this category in 2017 for Dave Chappelle: Equanimity and in 2019 for Dave Chappelle: Sticks & Stones.

GLENN WEISS

The 43rd Annual Kennedy Center Honors

(CBS)

Mr. Weiss's Directorial Team:

  • Associate Directors: Ken Diego, Susan Kopensky, Ricky Kirshner, Lisa R. Anderson, Lori Margules
  • Stage Managers: John Esposito, Doug Fogel, Jeffry Gitter, Arthur Lewis, Tammy Raab, Karen Tasch Weiss

This is Mr. Weiss’s 16th DGA Award nomination. He won the DGA Award in 2007, 2010 -2014, 2016 for the 61st, 64th, 65th, 66th, 67th, 68th and 70th Annual Tony Awards, and in 2017 for The 89th Annual Academy Awards. He was also nominated in the Musical Variety category in 2001, 2002, 2005, 2006 and 2008 for the 55th, 56th, 59th, 60th and 62nd Annual Tony Awards and in 2019 for The 91st Annual Academy Awards. Additionally, Mr. Weiss was 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 2021 are (in alphabetical order):
JOSEPH GUIDRY

Full Bloom, "Final Floral Face Off"

(HBO Max)

Mr. Guidry's Directorial Team:

  • Associate Director: Sean P. Galvin
  • Stage Managers: Myeisha Abram, Kristianna LaRoda, Rachel Shimko

This is Mr. Guidry’s second DGA Award nomination. He won the DGA Award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Reality Programs in 2020 for Full Bloom, “Petal to the Metal.”

PATRICK McMANUS

American Ninja Warrior,
"1304: Qualifiers 4"

(NBC)

Mr. McManus's Directorial Team:

  • Associate Director: David Massey
  • Stage Managers: Jeff Simms, T.J. Ganser, Wolfgang Delgado

This is Mr. McManus’s third DGA Award nomination. He was previously nominated in this same category in 2018 for American Ninja Warrior, “Miami City Qualifiers” and in 2019 for American Ninja Warrior, “1116 Las Vegas National Finals Night 4.”

RAMY ROMANY

Making the Cut, "Brand Statement"

(Amazon)

Mr. Romany's Directorial Team:

  • Associate Director: Ryan Bunnell
  • Stage Managers: Will Baker, Brady Hess

This is Mr. Romany’s first DGA Award nomination.

BEN SIMMS

Running Wild with Bear Grylls,
"Gina Carano In The Dolomites"

(National Geographic Channel)

Mr. Simms's Directorial Team:

  • Associate Director: Jeff Simms

This is Mr. Simms’s first DGA Award nomination.

ADAM VETRI

Getaway Driver, "Electric Shock"

(Discovery Channel)

Mr. Vetri's Directorial Team:

  • Associate  Director: John Esposito
  • Stage  Manager: Eric Pai

This is Mr. Vetri’s third DGA Award nomination. He won the DGA Award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Reality Programs in 2015 for Steve Austin’s Broken Skull Challenge, “Gods of War” and was previously nominated in this same category in 2014 for Steve Austin’s Broken Skull Challenge, “Welcome to the Gun Show” and in 2017 for Dare to Live, “Chainsmokers.”

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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 2021 are (in alphabetical order):
JAMES BOBIN

The Mysterious Benedict Society,
"A Bunch of Smart Orphans"

(Disney+)

Mr. Bobin's Directorial Team:

  • Unit Production Manager: Grace Gilroy

This is Mr. Bobin’s first DGA Award nomination.

MICHAEL LEMBECK

The J Team

(Paramount+)

 

This is Mr. Lembeck’s third DGA Award nomination. He was previously in this category in 2011 for Sharpay’s Fabulous Adventure and in 2016 for A Nutcracker Christmas.

PHILL LEWIS

Head of the Class,
"Three More Years"

(HBO Max)

Mr. Lewis's Directorial Team:

  • Unit Production Manager: Susan M. Crank
  • First Assistant Director: Rebecca Baughman
  • Second Assistant Director: Oliver Garrett
  • Associate Director: Tim Clark

This is Mr. Lewis’s first DGA Award nomination.

SMRITI MUNDHRA

Through Our Eyes, "Shelter"

(HBO Max)

This is Ms. Mundhra’s first DGA Award nomination.

JEFF WADLOW

Are You Afraid of the Dark?,
"The Tale of the Darkhouse"

(Nickelodeon)

This is Mr. Wadlow’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 2021 are (in alphabetical order):
STEVE AYSON

(MJZ)

Anthem, Mattress Firm – Droga5

  • Unit Production Manager: Adriana Cebada-Mora
  • First Assistant Director: George Nessis
  • Second Assistant Directors: Jesse Carmona, Brent Martin

Award Speech, Miller Lite – DDB Chicago

Networking, Miller Lite – DDB Chicago

This is Mr. Ayson’s fourth DGA Award nomination. He was previously nominated in this same category in 2020 his Nike ad, The Great Chase; in 2018 for his Dollar Shave Club ad; Get Ready; and his Speight’s ad, The Dance; and in 2012 for his Carlton Draught ad, Beer Chase and his Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas ad, Let Me Go.

KATHRYN BIGELOW

(SMUGGLER)

Hollywood In Your Pocket, iPhone 13 – Media Arts Lab

  • First Assistant Directors: Allison Kunzman, Arle Bordas
  • Second Assistant Director: Abbey Hansen
  • Second Second Assistant Director: Cody Maher

This is Ms. Bigelow’s third DGA Award nomination. She was previously nominated in the Feature Film category in 2012 for Zero Dark Thirty and won the DGA Award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Feature Film in 2009 for The Hurt Locker.

IAN PONS JEWELL

(RESET)

ECG, Apple Watch – Apple

Sleep, Apple Watch – Apple

Time, Squarespace – Squarespace

Your Mom's Short Ribs, Instacart – Goodby Silverstein

This is Mr. Jewell’s first DGA Award nomination.

HENRY‑ALEX RUBIN

(SMUGGLER)

Teenage Dream, Sandy Hook Promise – BBDO - New York

  • First Assistant Director: Anthony Dimino
  • Second Assistant Director: David Ebel

This is Mr. Rubin’s first DGA Award nomination.

BRADFORD YOUNG

(Serial Pictures x Somesuch)

Super. Human., Channel 4 Paralympics – 4Creative

  • First Assistant Director: Jez Oakley

This is Mr. Young’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 2021 are (in alphabetical order):
JESSICA KINGDON

Ascension

(MTV Documentary Films/Paramount+)

 

This is Ms. Kingdon’s first DGA Award nomination.

STANLEY NELSON

Attica

(Showtime)

This is Mr. Nelson’s first DGA Award nomination.

RAOUL PECK

Exterminate All the Brutes

(HBO)

Mr. Peck’s Directorial Team:

  • First Assistant Director: Mathias Honoré

This is Mr. Peck’s second DGA Award nomination. He was previously nominated in this category in 2016 for I Am Not Your Negro.

AHMIR "QUESTLOVE" THOMPSON

Summer of Soul
(…Or, When the Revolution
Could Not Be Televised)

(Searchlight Pictures/Onyx Collective/Hulu)

 

This is Mr. Thompson’s first DGA Award nomination.

ELIZABETH CHAI VASARHELYI
& JIMMY CHIN

The Rescue

(National Geographic)

Ms. Vasarhelyi & Mr. Chin’s Directorial Team:

  • First Assistant Director: Joey Coughlin

This is Ms. Vasarhelyi’s and Mr. Chin’s third DGA Award nomination. They were previously nominated in this category in 2015 for Meru, and again in 2018 for Free Solo.

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For a complete list of nominations in all categories, please visit the Awards section.

The Theatrical Feature Film and First-Time Feature Film nominees for the
74th Annual DGA Awards will be announced on Thursday, January 27, 2022.
The winners in all categories will be announced at the
74th Annual DGA Awards on Saturday, March 12, 2022.

 

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