Paul Thomas Anderson claimed top honors at the 2026 Directors Guild of America Awards, taking home the prize for outstanding directorial achievement in theatrical feature film for One Battle After Another.
The win positions Anderson as a frontrunner heading into this year’s Academy Awards.
Saturday night’s ceremony at the Beverly Hilton, hosted by Kumail Nanjiani, marked a significant moment for the industry—the first show under newly elected DGA president Christopher Nolan.
Female directors made historic waves throughout the evening, dominating five categories.
Anderson’s Emotional Victory Speech
Taking the stage with his entire directing team, Anderson delivered heartfelt remarks that acknowledged both triumph and loss.
This is an incredible, incredible honor. We’re going to take it with the love that it’s given and the appreciation of all our comrades in this room.
But his celebration carried somber undertones.
Obviously we are up here minus one.
Anderson paid tribute to first assistant director Adam Somner, who died from cancer in November 2024. Somner’s absence cast a bittersweet shadow over what should have been an unqualified celebration.
Competition Was Fierce
Anderson faced formidable competition in the theatrical feature film category. Ryan Coogler (Sinners), Guillermo Del Toro (Frankenstein), Josh Safdie (Marty Supreme), and Chloé Zhao (Hamnet) all received nominations.
DGA Awards typically predict Oscar winners with remarkable accuracy. Interestingly, Joachim Trier (Sentimental Value) replaced Del Toro in the Academy Awards’ best director lineup.
Unique DGA Tradition Honors All Nominees
Unlike most awards ceremonies, every DGA nominee receives an honorary medallion and stage time before winners are announced.
Leonardo DiCaprio introduced Anderson, praising how he’s given Los Angeles “a cinematic identity that feels almost forensic.” Michael B. Jordan presented to Coogler with moving words:
Ryan builds families, not film sets.
Jacob Elordi delivered perhaps the evening’s most memorable line to Del Toro:
You’re the greatest friend a monster could have.
Del Toro spotted Nolan in the crowd and quipped about loving to say “President Nolan” because it was so rare to say something positive after “President.”
Timothée Chalamet Roasts Josh Safdie
Chalamet presented to Safdie with characteristic humor, teasing him about a recent Tonight Show appearance:
Your days of self-styling are officially over.
He called Safdie a “quadruple threat” for wearing multiple hats on set. Safdie revealed he reads every DGA magazine cover to cover, showing off his union card with pride.
Steven Spielberg Champions Chloé Zhao
Spielberg delivered the final presentation on behalf of Zhao, praising her work on Hamnet. He said he and their team would “follow her into a dark forest anytime.”
Zhao joked back that she wanted to organize a drinking game for every Spielberg mention throughout the evening. She thanked fellow storytellers for their “creative fire.”
Female Directors Dominate Evening
Women made exceptional gains across categories, winning five awards:
- Amanda Marsalis won for dramatic series with The Pitt
- Shannon Murphy claimed limited series honors for Dying for Sex
- Beth McCarthy Miller and Liz Patrick won variety categories for SNL50 specials
- Zhao’s recognition, though she didn’t win, marked another milestone
Christopher Nolan Opens His First DGA Show
Elected DGA president in September, Nolan presided over his first awards ceremony. He opened with remarks emphasizing challenges facing filmmakers today.
Nanjiani followed with characteristic wit:
Thank you Chris Nolan for opening for me… it’s like a dream, inside a dream, inside a dream.
He also joked that directors are “the greatest communicators on the planet. You can take a complex idea and turn it into something an actor can understand.”
Surprise Winner In First-Time Feature Category
Charlie Polinger pulled off an upset win for The Plague in the first-time theatrical feature film category. He thanked collaborators willing to take chances on him.
Polinger competed against Hasan Hadi, Harry Lighton, Alex Russell, and Eva Victor.
Television Winners Span Multiple Genres
Beyond film categories, television awards showcased diverse storytelling:
- Dramatic Series: Amanda Marsalis, The Pitt
- Comedy Series: Seth Rogen & Evan Goldberg, The Studio
- Limited Series: Shannon Murphy, Dying for Sex
- Movies for Television: Stephen Chbosky, Nonnas
- Documentary Film: Mstyslav Chernov, 2000 Meters to Andriivka
Sports and Variety Categories Honor Technical Excellence
Matthew Gangl won for directing the 2025 World Series Game 7 between the Dodgers and Blue Jays. SNL50: The Anniversary Special director Liz Patrick took variety honors.
Special honors recognized associate director/stage manager David Charles and assistant director Gregory McCollum for career achievements.
What DGA Wins Mean For Oscar Race
Historically, DGA winners frequently secure Academy Awards for best director. Anderson’s victory positions him as the Oscar favorite, though the Academy’s nomination of Trier instead of Del Toro suggests some divergence in tastes.
The correlation between DGA and Oscar results remains one of awards season’s most reliable indicators. Anderson will carry significant momentum into the final stretch before the Oscars ceremony.
His emotional tribute to Adam Somner resonated throughout the industry, reminding everyone that collaborative artistry defines filmmaking at its highest level.