Directors Guild of America Announces Schedule and Key Dates for 2026 DGA Awards
DGA partners with Indee for screeners, eliminates DVDs/Blu-rays
The Directors Guild of America today announced key dates and awards categories for the 78th Annual DGA Awards, which will take place on Saturday, February 7, 2026 at the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, CA.
Theatrical Feature Film and Michael Apted Award for First-Time Theatrical Feature Film nominees will be announced on Thursday, January 8, 2026, and Television, Commercial, and Documentary Film nominees will be announced on Wednesday, January 7, 2026.
DGA members will be able to vote online between December 15, 2025 – January 7, 2026, for Theatrical Feature Film Nominations; between December 15, 2025 – January 5, 2026, for Television and Commercial Nominations; and between January 8, 2026 – February 6, 2026, for the Theatrical Feature Film Award.
The DGA also announced today that the Guild has partnered with Indee. on the creation of new dedicated screeners platform/app, Directors Guild FYC, which will allow for a safe and secure viewing experience for Guild members looking to watch titles eligible under Theatrical Feature Film in one convenient location. As a result, DVDs/Blu-rays will no longer be sent.
Last year’s feature film winner, Sean Baker for Anora, went on to win the Oscar for Best Director. Ra’Mell Ross was the winner for First Time Theatrical Feature Film for Nickel Boys while TV winners included Ripley, Hacks and Shōgun.
Following changes made by the DGA National Board, the categories for the 78th Annual DGA Awards are:
- Theatrical Feature Film
- Michael Apted Award for First-Time Theatrical Feature Film
- Movies for Television
- Limited & Anthology Series
- Dramatic Series
- Comedy Series
- Documentary Film
- Documentary Series / News
- Commercials
- Variety
- Sports
- Reality / Quiz & Game
THEATRICAL FEATURE FILM AWARD
- Entry Forms for Theatrical Feature Film available online: Tuesday, September 9, 2025
- Deadline for submitting Theatrical Feature Film entries: Friday, November 14, 2025
- Online voting for Theatrical Feature Film Nominations opens: Monday, December 15, 2025
- Deadline to vote online for Theatrical Feature Film Nominations: Wednesday, January 7, 2026
- Announce Theatrical Feature Film Nominees: Thursday, January 8, 2026
- Online voting for Theatrical Feature Film Nominees opens: Thursday, January 8, 2026
- Membership Screenings of 5 Nominated Theatrical Feature Films: Mon-Fri, January 19-23, 2026
- Deadline to vote online for Theatrical Feature Film Award: Friday, February 6, 2026
TELEVISION AND COMMERCIAL AWARDS
- Entry Forms for TV and Commercials available online: Tuesday, September 9, 2025
- Deadline for submitting Television and Commercials entries: Friday, November 14, 2025
- Online voting for Television Nominations opens: Monday, December 15, 2025
- Deadline to vote online for Television Nominations: Monday, January 5, 2026
- Announce all Television and Commercial Nominees: Wednesday, January 7, 2026
MICHAEL APTED AWARD FOR FIRST-TIME THEATRICAL FEATURE FILM
- Entry Forms for First-Time Theatrical Feature Film available online: Tuesday, September 9, 2025
- Deadline for submitting First-Time Theatrical Feature Film entries: Friday, October 17, 2025
- Announce First-Time Theatrical Feature Film Director Nominees: Thursday, January 8, 2026
DOCUMENTARY FILM AWARD
- Entry Forms for Documentary Film available online: Tuesday, September 9, 2025
- Deadline for submitting Documentary Film entries: Friday, October 17, 2025
- Announce Documentary Film Nominees: Wednesday, January 7, 2026
78th ANNUAL DGA AWARDS
- DGA Awards Ceremony: Saturday, February 7, 2026
He is a Rotten Tomatoes-approved critic, accredited by the Cannes Film Festival, Telluride Film Festival, Toronto International Film Festival and more, is a member of the International Cinephile Society (ICS), The Society of LGBTQ Entertainment Critics (GALECA), Critics Choice Association (CCA), San Francisco Bay Area Film Critics Circle (SFBAFCC) and the International Press Academy. Among his many achieved goals with AwardsWatch, he has given a platform to underrepresented writers and critics and supplied them with access to film festivals and the industry and calls the Bay Area his home where he lives with his husband and son.
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