Hosted by Kumail Nanjiani, the ceremony is widely considered the ultimate predictor for the Best Director Oscar. From Paul Thomas Anderson’s sweeping period piece to Ryan Coogler’s supernatural thriller, we’re breaking down the nominees and what to expect from the year’s most prestigious night for directors.
The Main Event: When, Where, and Who?
The 2026 DGA Awards are taking place tonight, Saturday, February 7, at the legendary Beverly Hilton Hotel. Stepping into the spotlight as host for the first time is Kumail Nanjiani, whose blend of sharp wit and cinematic passion makes him a perfect fit for a room full of auteurs.
DGA President Christopher Nolan (last year’s big winner for Oppenheimer) will be in attendance to oversee the festivities. While the show isn’t typically televised live, the results will ripple through Hollywood as the “DGA Five” almost always mirrors the Academy Award lineup for Best Director.
The Nominees: Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Theatrical Feature Film
This year’s race is a mix of veteran titans and bold new voices. Notably, the DGA theatrical nominees perfectly align with the SAG Ensemble nominees this year—a rare occurrence that suggests a clear consensus in the industry.
Paul Thomas Anderson speaks on stage during the Directors UK Screening And Q&A, Curzon Mayfair, London on November 20, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Lia Toby/Getty Images for Warner Bros.)
- Paul Thomas Anderson – One Battle After Another The reigning frontrunner. Anderson’s epic has already dominated the Critics’ Choice Awards, and a win tonight would likely secure his long-awaited first Oscar.
- Ryan Coogler – Sinners Coogler makes history as only the fifth Black filmmaker ever nominated in this category. His work on the supernatural thriller has been praised for its atmospheric tension and world-building.
- Guillermo del Toro – Frankenstein A previous DGA winner for The Shape of Water, del Toro returns with his highly personal, visually staggering take on the Mary Shelley classic.
- Josh Safdie – Marty Supreme Stepping into the solo spotlight, Safdie’s direction of this A24 ping-pong biopic has been called “manic, meticulous, and completely original.”
- Chloé Zhao – Hamnet Zhao, who previously won for Nomadland, is back in the hunt with this intimate, heartbreaking adaptation of the life of William Shakespeare’s son.
First-Time Directors and Television Highlights
The Michael Apted Award for First-Time Feature Film is equally stacked this year, featuring:
- Hasan Hadi (The President’s Cake)
- Harry Lighton (Pillion)
- Charlie Polinger (The Plague)
- Alex Russell (Lurker)
- Eva Victor (Sorry, Baby)
In the television categories, the competition is fierce between HBO and FX. Christopher Storer and Janicza Bravo both earned nods for their work on The Bear, while John Wells and Amanda Marsalis are nominated for the breakout medical drama The Pitt. Over in the Limited Series category, Ben Stiller is a favorite for the much-anticipated return of Severance.
Special Honors of the Night
Beyond the competitive categories, the Guild will present several honorary awards:
- The Lifetime Achievement Award: Rumored to be a surprise tribute tonight.
- The Frank Capra Award: Awarded to Gregory G. McCollum for his career as an Assistant Director.
- The Franklin J. Schaffner Award: Awarded to Elizabeth Lo for her excellence as an Associate Director/Stage Manager.
