The Directors Guild of America gathered the industry’s top creative talents for a memorable evening honoring excellence across film, television, commercials, and special categories. The ceremony, held at the Beverly Hilton and hosted by Kumail Nanjiani, highlighted both established filmmakers and rising voices shaping the future of storytelling.

Top Honor Goes to Paul Thomas Anderson

At the heart of the night was the headline moment: DGA Awards: Paul Thomas Anderson Wins Top Prize for One Battle After Another.

Competing in the prestigious theatrical feature category were an impressive lineup of nominees, including Ryan Coogler (Sinners), Guillermo del Toro (Frankenstein), Josh Safdie (Marty Supreme), and Chloé Zhao (Hamnet). The award is widely viewed as a strong indicator for the Best Director race at the Academy Awards.

When Anderson was announced as the winner, he took the stage with emotion, inviting members of his directing team to join him. Calling the recognition a tremendous honor, he expressed gratitude to his peers and collaborators. He also paid a heartfelt tribute to first assistant director Adam Somner, who passed away in November 2024 after a battle with cancer, noting that the team was “up here minus one.”

A Ceremony Led by Christopher Nolan

The 2026 ceremony marked the first time the event was presided over by newly elected DGA president Christopher Nolan. In his opening remarks, Nolan addressed the challenges currently facing filmmakers and emphasized the importance of unity and resilience within the creative community.

Host Kumail Nanjiani followed with humor, joking about the dreamlike experience of speaking after Nolan and playfully praising directors as master communicators capable of translating complex ideas into performances actors can understand.

Tributes From Hollywood’s Biggest Names

One of the DGA Awards’ unique traditions is that each theatrical feature nominee receives an honorary medallion and a moment on stage before the winner is revealed.

• Leonardo DiCaprio introduced Anderson, praising his role in shaping Los Angeles’ cinematic identity.

• Michael B. Jordan honored Ryan Coogler, describing him as a filmmaker who builds families rather than just film sets.

• Jacob Elordi celebrated Guillermo del Toro’s imagination and warmth.

• Timothée Chalamet playfully teased Josh Safdie while calling him a creative force who wears many hats on set.

• Steven Spielberg presented for Chloé Zhao, applauding her storytelling vision and leadership.

The presentations blended admiration, humor, and heartfelt appreciation for the craft of directing.

Breakthroughs and Television Winners

The evening also celebrated emerging talent. Charlie Polinger took home the Michael Apted Award for First-Time Theatrical Feature for The Plague, thanking collaborators who supported his vision.

Television and limited series categories saw strong performances from standout projects:

• Amanda Marsalis won for The Pitt in dramatic series.

• Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg earned recognition for The Studio.

• Shannon Murphy received honors for the limited series Dying for Sex.

• Stephen Chbosky won in the Movies for Television category for Nonnas.

Female directors made a significant impact, topping multiple categories and reflecting a growing diversity of voices behind the camera.

A Celebration of Collaboration

Special honors were also presented to associate director/stage manager David Charles and assistant director Gregory McCollum, recognizing the essential behind-the-scenes professionals who help bring productions to life.

From emotional tributes to breakthrough victories, the 2026 ceremony underscored the collaborative spirit of filmmaking and television production. With major wins across categories and a standout victory for Anderson, the night reinforced why the DGA Awards remain one of the industry’s most respected indicators of creative excellence.