2023 Directors Guild of America (DGA) Feature Film nominations: ‘The Fabelmans,’ ‘Top Gun’ in, women shut out of main category

The Directors Guild of America (DGA) have announced their two feature film categories, where men reigned in one and women in another.

For Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Theatrical Film, the DGA nominated Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert (Everything Everywhere All at Once), Todd Field (TÁR), Joseph Kosinski (Top Gun: Maverick), Martin McDonagh (The Banshees of Inisherin) and Steven Spielberg (The Fabelmans). Despite a wealth of women directors again this year, including Gina Prince-Bythewood (The Woman King), Chinonye Chukwu (Till), Maria Schrader (She Said) and Sarah Polley (Women Talking) none made the cut after two years in a row of female winners here that led to Oscar wins.

But don’t go looking for a 5/5 matchup with Oscar; the directing branch of the Academy hasn’t aligned with the DGA since the first year of the Oscars Best Picture expanded lineup in 2009. Before that it was 2005, 1998, 1981 and 1977. The Daniels, McDonagh and Spielberg made the Golden Globes cut (along with James Cameron for Avatar: The Way of Water and Baz Luhrmann for Elvis) where Spielberg won last night but also was the only one to fail to land a spot on the BAFTA longlist.

“The work recognized this year represents the amazing power of film in the hands of these gifted Directors to tell deeply moving stories that profoundly affect us all. The recognition by one’s peers in our highly collaborative creative process shows the heart and soul at the core of these films and we congratulate all five nominees for their powerful stories, brilliantly told,” said DGA President Leslie Linka Glatter.

In the newer category, Outstanding Directorial Achievement of a First-Time Feature Film Director, women dominated with four of five spots for the first time in its 8-year history. Alice Diop (Saint Omer), Audrey Diwan (Happening), Antoneta Alamat Kusijanović (Murina) and Charlotte Wells (Aftersun) were all nominated alongside John Patton Ford (Emily the Criminal). Wells has won nearly a dozen first time feature director critics’ awards so far this season. There could be some dispute over Diwan’s nomination; Happening, which won the Golden Lion at Venice last year, is her second feature film. Her first was the 2019 film Losing It. No word on how her eligibility was decided.

Nominations for television were announced yesterday where Ozark, Station Eleven and Severance received mentions.

The 75th DGA Awards will take place on February 18 at The Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills. Here are the nominees.

Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Theatrical Feature Film

• Todd Field, “TÁR” (Focus Features)
  Unit Production Manager: Nigel Wooll, First Assistant Director: Sebastian Fahr-Brix
• Joseph Kosinski, “Top Gun: Maverick” (Paramount Pictures)
  Unit Production Managers: LeeAnn Stonebreaker, Tommy Harper, First Assistant Director: Scott Robertson, Second Assistant Directors: Andrew Stahl, Robert E. Kay, Second Second Assistant Director: Spencer Taylor
• Daniel Kwan, Daniel Scheinert, “Everything Everywhere All at Once” (A24)
  Unit Production Manager: Allison Rose Carter, First Assistant Director: Rodney Smith, Second Assistant Director: John Nasraway, Second Second Assistant Director: Ken C. Wu
• Martin McDonagh, “The Banshees of Inisherin” (Searchlight Pictures)
  First Assistant Director: Peter Kohn
• Steven Spielberg, “The Fabelmans” (Universal Pictures)
  Unit Production Manager: Carla Raij, First Assistant Director: Josh McLaglen, Second Assistant Director: Heather Wagner-Wang, Second Second Assistant Director: David Stickler

Outstanding Directorial Achievement of a First-Time Feature Film Director

• Alice Diop, Saint Omer (NEON)
• Audrey Diwan, Happening (IFC Films)
• John Patton Ford, Emily the Criminal (Roadside Attractions/Vertical Entertainment)
• Antoneta Alamat Kusijanović, Murina (Kino Lorber)
• Charlotte Wells, Aftersun (A24)