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Meet the Nominees: Theatrical Feature Film

February 8, 2025

77th Annual DGA Awards

On February 8, the DGA presented its membership with a unique opportunity to celebrate the craft of directing during the 34th Annual Meet the Nominees: Theatrical Feature Film symposium. Following a welcome from President Lesli Linka Glatter, the 2024 Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Theatrical Feature Film Award nominees — Jacques Audiard (Emilia Pérez), Sean Baker (Anora), Edward Berger (Conclave), Brady Corbet (The Brutalist) and James Mangold (A Complete Unknown) — joined moderator Jeremy Kagan onstage in the Guild’s Los Angeles Theater for an in-depth discussion about their work.

About the Panelists:

Jacques Audiard
 Emilia PĂ©rez

In addition to Emilia PĂ©rez, Audiard’s other directorial credits include the feature films The Beat That My Heart Skipped, A Prophet, Rust and Bone, Dheepan, The Sisters Brothers and Paris, 13th District; and episodes of The Bureau. 
 

Sean Baker
 Anora

Unit Production Manager: Olivia Kavanaugh
First Assistant Director: Liza Mann
Second Assistant Director: SofĂ­a Blanco
Second Second Assistant Director: Steve Coleman
Location Manager: Ross Brodar

In addition to Anora, Baker’s other directorial credits include the feature films Tangerine, The Florida Project, Red Rocket and episodes of Warren the Ape. He has been a DGA member since 2010 and is a member of the Independent Directors Committee. 
 

Edward Berger
 Conclave

In addition to Conclave, Berger’s other directorial credits include the feature films All Quiet on the Western Front, All My Loving and Jack; the movie for television A Good Summer; and episodes of Your Honor and The Terror. He was nominated for a Primetime Emmy for Outstanding Directing for a Limited Series, Movie or a Dramatic Special in 2018 for Patrick Melrose. Berger has been a DGA member since 2019. 
 

Brady Corbet
 The Brutalist

In addition to The Brutalist, Corbet’s other directorial credits include the feature films The Childhood of a Leader and Vox Lux. Corbet joined the DGA in 2018. 
 

James Mangold
 A Complete Unknown

Unit Production Manager: Michael Bederman
First Assistant Director: Douglas Torres
Second Assistant Director: Brad Robinson
Second Second Assistant Directors: Billy Brennan, Veronica Grant
Location Manager: Anthony Pisani

In addition to A Complete Unknown, Mangold’s other directorial credits include the feature films Heavy, Cop Land, Girl, Interrupted, Walk the Line, 3:10 to Yuma, Logan and Ford v. Ferrari. Mangold joined the DGA in 1985. 
 
Jeremy Kagan (moderator)
Kagan’s directorial credits include the features Shot, The Big Fix, The Chosen, The Journey of Natty Gann; the movies for television Roswell: The UFO Cover-Up and Katherine, The Making of an American Revolutionary; the television documentary Conspiracy: The Trial of The Chicago 8; and episodes of The Handler, Heroes and The West Wing. He was nominated for a DGA Award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Children’s Programs for Crown Heights. He is also the author of three volumes of Directors Close Up and the eTextbook Keys to Directing. A DGA member since 1972, Kagan initiated the DGA’s Meet the Nominees Theatrical Feature Film symposia and has served on the Western Directors Council and the DGA National Board and is the former chair of the DGA Special Projects Committee. In 2004, Kagan received the DGA Robert B. Aldrich Award for his service to the Guild. 
 

Directed by: Tracey Smith Baumert

Director of Photography: Chad Wilson

Stage Manager: Redelia Shaw

 

Pictures & Video

photos by Howard Wise

View slideshow
Watch Highlight
Highlight: Director Brady Corbet speaks about shooting in Vistavision and how he and his Steadicam operator got creative when filming a chaotic scene.
Watch Highlight
Highlight: Director Edward Berger shares how he creatively used his camera to find interest and see from Actor Ralph Fiennes’ point of view during the voting scenes.
Watch Highlight
Highlight: Director Jacques Audiard talks about the opening dance sequence and the story he aimed to convey through its choreography.
Watch Highlight
Highlight: Director James Mangold reflects on the staging and camera perspectives that contributed to shooting the final concert scene.
Watch Highlight
Highlight: Director Sean Baker discusses filming the final scene in Anora and how he worked with Actor Mikey Madison to capture the performance he wanted.
DGA President Lesli Linka Glatter welcomes the audience to the 34th Annual Meet the Nominees: Theatrical Feature Film symposium.
The nominees make their entrance into the theater to a standing ovation from their peers.
2024 DGA Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Theatrical Feature Film Award nominees Jacques Audiard, Brady Corbet, Edward Berger, James Mangold and Sean Baker, join Meet the Nominees symposium moderator Jeremy Kagan onstage to discuss the making of their feature films.
Jacques Audiard shares stories from the making of Emilia PĂ©rez.
Edward Berger enjoys James Mangold’s behind-the-scenes story from the set of A Complete Unknown.
Edward Berger shares his own story from the making of Conclave.
Brady Corbet recalls an obstacle he had to overcome during the filming of The Brutalist.
Sean Baker tells moderator Jeremy Kagan how he worked with his cast on Anora.
Director Jeremy Kagan moderates the discussion.
DGA members and guests fill the Guild’s Los Angeles Theater to hear behind-the-scenes stories about the making of the nominated films during one of the premier events of the year.