77th Directors Guild of America (DGA) Awards: Sean Baker Wins for ‘Anora,’ ‘Shōgun’ and ‘Hacks’ Prevail in TV

Sean Baker has won the Directors Guild of America (DGA) award for Directorial Achievement in Theatrical Feature Film for Anora.

This was Sean Baker’s first nomination and win, and with this award he is the frontrunner for the Best Director Oscar as only eight DGA winners have not translated to win come Oscar night. Most recently in 2019 when Sam Mendes won the DGA for 1917 and Bong Joon-ho won the Oscar for Parasite. If there was a year for a shocking turn of events to happen, this could be the year, but there is no denying the acclaim Anora has received, and much like its Palme d’Or win back at the Cannes Film Festival, the industry might be telling us all that it is Baker’s time to win an Academy Award.

With his win tonight, Baker becomes the first director to win the Palme d’Dor and the DGA award since Delbert Mann for 1955’s Marty. That film went on to win four Oscars: Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor for Ernest Borgnine, and Best Screenplay.

Baker was one of the four of the five DGA nominees for Theatrical Feature Film also made the Oscar cut, alongside Jacques Audiard (Emilia Pérez), Brady Corbet (The Brutalist) and James Mangold (A Complete Unknown), with Edward Berger (Conclave) missing out on Oscar nomination to Coralie Fargeat for The Substance. This was Berger’s second directing Oscar miss in a row after 2023’s All Quiet on the Western Front landed nine nominations and won four Oscars. Each director received a nomination medallion which was presented by a member of the cast of their respected films. Zoe Saldana presented the medallion to Audiard, Adrien Brody for Corbet, Elle Fanning to Mangold, Ralph Fiennes for Berger, and Mikey Madison to the DGA winner, Baker.

Judd Apatow hosted the ceremony at the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills live before an audience of more than 1,000 guests. Presenters included (in alphabetical order): Maude Apatow, Ike Barinholtz, Adrien Brody, Marie Cantin, Colman Domingo, Paul W. Downs, Ayo Edebiri, Elle Fanning, Ralph Fiennes, Justine Lupe, Mikey Madison, Kathleen McGill, Demi Moore, Christopher Nolan, Zoe Saldana, Timothy Simons, Sebastian Stan, Taylor Tomlinson, Jessica Williams, Bowen Yang, and Michelle Yeoh.

Other winners on the night saw the Michael Apted First-Time Theatrical Feature Film award go to Nickel Boys director RaMell Ross. Ross spoke beautifully during his speech about the “rarity” of seeing “black subjectivity in cinema,” making for a profound speech that matches the elegant art he created on screen.

In television, Shōgun continued its awards dominance with a win for Frederick E.O. Toye for the “Crimson Sky” episode. Hacks also carried its award season winning streak with a win for Lucia Aniello for the “Bulletproof” episode. Ripley was the limited series winner while Saturday Night Live and The Roast of Tom Brady took home the prizes for the variety shows.

Two-time DGA Award winner Ang Lee (Brokeback Mountain; Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon) received the Lifetime Achievement Award. Given to a director in recognition of distinguished achievement in feature film direction, is the Guild’s highest honor and the recipient is selected by the present and past presidents of the Guild. Lee also has two Best Director Oscar wins (for Brokeback Mountain and his DGA-nominated Life of Pi). Lee is currently in production on his first film in six years, Thrilla in Manila, chronicling the third and final boxing match between Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier,in 1975 for the heavyweight championship of the world at the Philippine Coliseum in Cubao, Quezon City, Philippines.

The Robert B. Aldrich Service Award was given to Mary Rae Thewlis in recognition of her extraordinary service to the DGA and its membership. Thewlis is an Emmy and PGA-nominee for The Americans and a National Vice President of the DGA and includes a legacy of leadership on the National Board and the Eastern AD/UPM Council.

Thomas J. Whelan. was awarded the Frank Capra Achievement Award. This award is given to an Assistant Director or Unit Production Manager in recognition of career achievement in the industry and service to the Directors Guild of America. Whelan’s credits include decades of television shows, among them The Americans, Evil, Gotham and Blue Bloods.

Here is the complete list of winners of the 77th DGA Awards.

THEATRICAL FEATURE FILM

Jacques Audiard for Emilia Pérez
(Netflix)

Sean Baker for Anora – WINNER
(NEON)
Directorial Team:
Unit Production Manager: Olivia Kavanaugh
First Assistant Director: Liza Mann
Second Assistant Director: Sofía Blanco
Second Second Assistant Director: Steve Coleman
Location Manager: Ross Brodar

Edward Berger for Conclave
(Focus Features)

Brady Corbet for The Brutalist
(A24)

James Mangold for A Complete Unknown
(Searchlight Pictures)

Directorial Team:

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

MICHAEL APTED FIRST-TIME THEATRICAL FEATURE FILM

Payal Kapadia for All We Imagine as Light
(Sideshow & Janus Films)

Megan Park for My Old Ass
(Amazon MGM Studios)

RaMell Ross for Nickel Boys – WINNER
(Amazon MGM Studios)
Directorial Team:
Unit Production Manager: Kenneth Yu
First Assistant Director: James Roque
Second Assistant Director: Jonathan M. Warren
Second Second Assistant Director: Thalia Skaleris
Additional Second Assistant Director: Zachery Scherer
Location Manager: Batou Chandler

Halfdan Ullman Tøndel for Armand
(IFC Films)

Sean Wang for Dìdi
(Focus Features)

DRAMATIC SERIES

Alex Graves for The Diplomat, “Dreadnought”
(Netflix)

Hiromi Kamata for Shōgun, “Ladies of the Willow World”
(FX)

Issa Lópex for True Detective: Night Country, “Part 6”
(HBO)
Directorial Team:
Unit Production Manager: Mari Jo Winkler
First Assistant Director: Richard Graysmark

Frederick E.O. Toye for Shōgun, “Crimson Sky” – WINNER
(FX)

Jonathan Van Tulleken for Shōgun, “Anjin”
(FX)

COMEDY SERIES

Lucia Aniello for Hacks, “Bulletproof” – WINNER
(Max)
Directorial Team:
Unit Production Manager: Chris R. Robinson
First Assistant Director: Jeff Rosenberg
Second Assistant Director: Erin Stern Linares
Second Second Assistant Director: Alaina Neumann
Additional Second Assistant Director: Chalis Romero

Ayo Edebiri for The Bear, “Napkins”
(FX)
Directorial Team:
Unit Production Managers: Carrie Holt de Lama, Tyson Bidner
First Assistant Director: Duccio Fabbri
Second Assistant Directors: Olivia Dame, Larissa Malarek
Second Second Assistant Director: Sofía Blanco
Location Manager: Maria C. Roxas

Duccio Fabbri for The Bear, “Doors”
(FX)
Directorial Team:
Unit Production Managers: Carrie Holt de Lama, Tyson Bidner
First Assistant Director: Larissa Malarek
Second Assistant Director: Olivia Dame
Second Second Assistant Director: Sofia Blanco
Location Manager: Maria C. Roxas

Jeff Schaffer for Curb Your Enthusiasm, “No Lessons Learned”
(HBO)
Directorial Team:
Unit Production Manager: Mary Church
First Assistant Director: Adam Feil
Second Assistant Director: Jessica Faires McGinn
Second Second Assistant Director: Timothy Muir

Christopher Storer for The Bear, “Tomorrow”
(FX)
Directorial Team:
Unit Production Managers: Carrie Holt de Lama, Tyson Bidner
First Assistant Director: Duccio Fabbri
Second Assistant Director: Olivia Dame
Second Second Assistant Director: Sofía Blanco
Location Manager: Maria C. Roxas

MOVIES FOR TELEVISION AND LIMITED SERIES

Kevin Bray for The Penguin, “Top Hat”
(HBO)
Directorial Team:
Unit Production Managers: Dana Robin, Bill Carraro
First Assistant Director: Jude Gorjanc
Second Assistant Director: Brad Robinson
Second Second Assistant Director: Matt Merksamer
Additional Second Assistant Director: Maritza Gomez
Location Manager: Keith Adams

Alfonso Cuarón for Disclaimer
(Apple TV+)
Directorial Team:
Unit Production Manager: Donald Sabourin
First Assistant Director: Chris Carreras

Jennifer Getzinger for The Penguin, “A Great or Little Thing”
(HBO)
Directorial Team:
Unit Production Managers: Dana Robin, Bill Carraro
First Assistant Director: H.H. Cooper
Second Assistant Director: Eric Calatayud
Second Second Assistant Director: Matt Merksamer
Additional Second Assistant Director: Maritza Gomez
Location Manager: Keith Adam

Helen Shaver for The Penguin, “Cent’anni”
(HBO)
Directorial Team:
Unit Production Managers: Dana Robin, Bill Carraro
First Assistant Director: H.H. Cooper
Second Assistant Director: Eric Calatayud
Second Second Assistant Director: Matt Merksamer
Additional Second Assistant Director: Maritza Gomez
Location Manager: Keith Adams

Steven Zaillian for Ripley – WINNER
(Netflix)
Directorial Team:
Unit Production Managers: Clayton Townsend, Joe Guest (New York)
First Assistant Director: Peter Thorell
Second Assistant Directors: Justin Bischoff (New York), Nick Notte (New York)
Second Second Assistant Director: Melissa Morphet (New York)
Location Manager: Paul Eskenazi (New York)

VARIETY/TALK/NEWS/SPORTS – REGULARLY SCHEDULED PROGRAMMING

Paul G. Casey for Real Time with Bill Maher, “Jiminy Glick, Andrew Cuomo, Adam Kinzinger”
(HBO)
Directorial Team:
Associate Director: Stacy Talbot
Stage Managers: Brian Anderson, Patrick Whitney

Jim Hoskinson for The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, “Rep. Alexandria Ocasio Cortez & Mavis Staples w/ Jeff Tweedy”
(CBS)
Directorial Team:
Associate Directors: Yvonne De Mare, Karen Yaeger
Stage Managers: Mark McKenna, Jeff Leib

David Paul Meyer for The Daily Show, “Indecision 2024: The Democratic National Convention Plot Twist!”
(Comedy Central)
Directorial Team:
Associate Director: Adrienne Ford
Stage Managers: Bennymar Almonte (Lead), Tyler Goldman, Gena Rositano

Liz Patrick for Saturday Night Live, “John Mulaney / Chappell Roan” – WINNER
(NBC)
Directorial Team:
Associate Directors: Michael Mancini, Michael Poole, Laura Ouziel Mack, Janine DeVito, Amy Mancini
Stage Managers: Gena Rositano, Chris Kelly, Eddie Valk, Tom Ucciferri

Paul Pennolino for Last Week Tonight with John Oliver, “India Elections”
(HBO)
Directorial Team:
Associate Director: Elliot Mendelson
Stage Managers: Mark McKenna, Craig Spinney, Jeff Leib

VARIETY/TALK/NEWS/SPORTS – SPECIALS

Hamish Hamilton for The 96th Annual Academy Awards
(ABC)
Directorial Team:
Associate Directors: Hayley Collett, Susan Kopensky, Lori Margules, Robin Mishkin Abrams, Sara Niimi, Kristen Patterson Terry, Michael Polito
Stage Managers: Gary Natoli (Lead), Alexis Brusig, Rita Cossette, John Esposito, Zachary Figures, Valdez Flagg, Doug Fogel, Chris Hines, Alissa Levisohn Hoyo, Roxanne Lozano, Donna Parker, Ron Paul, Alec Potter, Tammy Raab, Jason Seligman, Jackie Stathis, Cheryl Teetzel-Moore, Ari Woog

Beth McCarthy Miller for The Roast of Tom Brady – WINNER
(Netflix)
Directorial Team:
Associate Directors: Debbie Palacio, Marty Pasetta Jr.
Stage Managers: Lynn Finkel, Steve Hollander, Greg Kasoff, Ran Lowe, Jennifer Marquet, Christopher McDonald, Tammy Raab, Jackie Stathis

David Paul Meyer for The Daily Show Presents A Live Election Night Special With Jon Stewart: Indecision 2024: Nothing We Can Do About It Now
(Comedy Central)
Directorial Team:
Associate Director: Adrienne Ford
Stage Managers: Bennymar Almonte (Lead), Tyler Goldman, Gena Rositano

Glenn Weiss for The 77th Annual Tony Awards
(CBS)
Directorial Team:
Associate Directors: Ken Diego, Robin Mishkin Abrams, Ricky Kirshner, Susan Kopensky, Ryan Smith, Kristen Patterson Terry
Stage Managers: Garry Hood (Lead), Peter Epstein, Bennymar Almonte, Joey Despenzero, Phyllis Digilio Kent, Doug Fogel, Jeffry Gitter, Tyler Goldman, Kevin Lishawa, Arthur Lewis, Jeff Markowitz, Cyndi Owgang, Jason Pacella, Annette Powlis, Elise Reaves, Cody Renard Richard, Lauren Class Schneider, Eddie Valk, Leslie Williams

Ali Wong for Ali Wong: Single Lady
(Netflix)
Directorial Team:
Associate Director: John Irwin
Stage Manager: Zoey Powers

REALITY PROGRAMS

Neil De Groot for Gordon Ramsay: Uncharted, “The Cliffs of Ireland” – WINNER
(National Geographic)
Directorial Team:
Associate Director: Jeff Simms

Joseph Guidry for Deal Or No Deal Island, “Are You Decisive?”
(NBC)
Directorial Team:
Associate Director: Greg Rosa

Ari Katcher for Jerrod Carmichael Reality Show, “Road Trip”
(HBO)

Patric McManus for American Ninja Warrior, “Las Vegas Finals 4”
(NBC)
Directorial Team:
Associate Director: David Massey
Stage Managers: Sara Brown, Sean P. Galvin, T.J. Ganser, Joseph R. Osborne, Louise Story

MIKE SWEENEY
Mike Sweeney for Conan O’Brien Must Go, “Ireland”
(Max)

CHILDREN’S PROGRAMS

Kat Coiro for The Spiderwick Chronicles, “Welcome to Spiderwick”
(Roku Channel)
Directorial Team:
Unit Production Manager: Grace Gilroy

Michael Goi for Avatar: The Last Airbender, “Aang”
(Netflix)
Directorial Team:
First Assistant Director: Michael Neumann
Second Assistant Director: Chad Belair

Jim Mickle for Sweet Tooth, “This Is a Story”
(Netflix)

Jennifer Phang for Descendants: The Rise of Red
(Disney+)
Directorial Team:
Unit Production Manager: Wendy S. Williams
First Assistant Director: Senica Billingsley
Second Assistant Director: Mark E. Brown

Amber Sealey for Out of My Mind – WINNER
(Disney+)

COMMERCIALS

Lance Acord for An American Love Story, Volkswagen Johannes Leonardo (Park Pictures)
Unit Production Manager: Karoline Kousidonis
First Assistant Directors: Thomas Smith, Peter S. Jackson
Second Assistant Directors: Carly Sturgeon, John Mattern
Second Second Assistant Directors: Matthew Kramer, Reed Baum

Kim Gehrig for A Life in Sound, SiriusXM – Uncommon (Somesuch)
First Assistant Director: Kate Greenberg
Second Assistant Director: Rebecca Rogers

Am I A Bad Person?, Nike Wieden+Kennedy
First Assistant Director: Guy Forgaard

Find Your Friends, Apple Client Direct
First Assistant Director: Rodney Smith
Second Assistant Director: John Nasraway
Second Second Assistant Director: Isaac Meija
Additional Second Assistant Directors: Michael Dudley, Kendall Wilmot

Tim Heidecker & Eric Wareheim for Michael CeraVe, CeraVe WPP Onefluence (Ogilvy) (Prettybird)
First Assistant Directors: Matthew Smith, Kerstin Emhoff
Second Assistant Director: Kiersten Fehlig
Second Second Assistant Director: Matthew Hausmann

Andreas Nilsson for Board Game, Hennessy Wieden+Kennedy London – WINNER
(Biscuit Filmworks)

First Office Poo, Andrex FCB London

One More, Apple Client Direct
First Assistant Director: Scott Harris
Second Assistant Director: Ronald Misetich

Whizzer, Virgin Media VCCP London

Ivan Zachariáš for Flock, Apple Media Arts Lab (Smuggler)
First Assistant Director: Robert Phillips

DOCUMENTARY

The nominees for the Directors Guild of America Award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Documentary for 2024 are (in alphabetical order):

Brendan Bellomo & Slava Leontyev for Porcelain War – WINNER
(Picturehouse)

Julian Brave Noisecat & Emily Kassie for Sugarcane
(National Geographic)

Johan Grimonprez for Soundtrack to a Coup d’Etat
(Kino Lorber)

Ibrahim Nash’at for Hollywoodgate
(Fourth Act Film)

Natalie Rae & Angela Patton for Daughters
(Netflix)