Fez — Paul Thomas Anderson claimed the top prize at the 78th Directors Guild of America Awards on Saturday night, winning Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Theatrical Feature Film for “One Battle After Another,” during a ceremony held in Beverly Hills.
Often viewed as the most reliable bellwether for the Academy Award for best director, the DGA Awards placed Anderson firmly at the center of this year’s Oscar conversation. The event was hosted by comedian Kumail Nanjiani and brought together leading figures from film and television to honor the year’s most notable directorial work.
In his acceptance speech, Anderson paid an emotional tribute to late assistant director Adam Somner, who passed away in 2024, highlighting the collaborative nature of filmmaking and the lasting impact of behind-the-scenes contributors.
A defining moment in the Oscar race
The DGA’s top honor has historically aligned with the Academy’s directing Oscar in all but eight instances, making Anderson’s win particularly significant. “One Battle After Another” has already enjoyed a dominant awards season, collecting dozens of critics’ prizes and sweeping the four major US critics groups — a rare achievement previously reached by only four films in history.
This year’s theatrical nominees also marked a milestone for representation. It was only the second time in DGA history that a majority of nominees in the top category came from underrepresented communities, reflecting gradual shifts within the industry.
During the ceremony, each nominee received a DGA medallion presented by a collaborator from their film. Leonardo DiCaprio introduced Anderson, while Michael B. Jordan honored Ryan Coogler and Steven Spielberg introduced Chloé Zhao, underscoring the collegial tone of the evening.
Television winners led by ‘The Pitt’ and ‘The Studio’
On the television side, HBO Max’s “The Pitt” emerged as a major winner, with director Amanda Marsalis taking the prize for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Dramatic Series for the episode “6:00 P.M.” In comedy, Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg won for “The Studio,” earning recognition for the episode “The Oner,” which had already secured them a directing Emmy earlier in the season.
Rogen and Goldberg dedicated their award to the late Catherine O’Hara, a star of “The Studio,” praising her influence and generosity. Other television honors went to “SNL50: The Anniversary Special” in the variety category, “Dying for Sex” for limited or anthology series, and “Conan O’Brien Must Go” in the reality and game programming field.
Netflix’s “Nonnas,” directed by Stephen Chbosky, won for movies for television, adding to the platform’s strong showing across categories.
Industry recognition beyond competition
In addition to competitive awards, the DGA presented special service honors recognizing long-standing contributions to the guild and the profession. Associate director and stage manager David Charles received the Franklin J. Schaffner Achievement Award, while commercials first assistant director Gregory G. McCollum was honored with the Frank Capra Achievement Award.
As the awards season moves closer to the Academy Awards, the DGA results reinforce Anderson’s momentum and highlight a broader industry conversation about representation, collaboration, and the evolving language of both film and television.
