2025 DGA Awards: Key Winners and Highlights Unveiled

The 77th DGA Awards are in full swing at the Beverly Hilton, recognizing outstanding directorial talent in both film and television. Major nominees include Jacques Audiard and Sean Baker for theatrical features. Frederick E.O. Toye claimed an early win in the dramatic series category. The event also celebrated industry veterans and emerging filmmakers, setting the stage for the upcoming Oscars.

Tonight, the glamorous Beverly Hilton is alive with excitement as the 77th annual Directors Guild of America (DGA) Awards unfold. Deadline is live-updating this year’s winners as they are unveiled, showcasing the most extraordinary directorial talents in the industry. Notably, nominees in the prestigious Theatrical Film category include acclaimed directors such as Jacques Audiard for “Emilia Pérez” and James Mangold for “A Complete Unknown.” Most nominees, excluding Edward Berger, are also contenders for the Oscar’s Best Director Award, scheduled for March 2.

Historically, the DGA Awards have been a reliable predictor of Oscar winners, having only missed the Best Director selection eight times in its long history. The previous year, Christopher Nolan won the DGA Award for “Oppenheimer,” which later earned him the Oscar for Best Director and was also honored with Best Picture. The predictions set high expectations as the awards season reaches its zenith with approaching Oscar voting deadlines.

In the television realm, FX shows like “Shōgun” and “The Bear” dominate with three nominations each in their respective categories. HBO’s “The Penguin” also holds three nominations in the Movies for Television/Limited Series category. Attending once more is veteran host Judd Apatow, who takes the stage for his sixth time. Special recognitions include Oscar winner Ang Lee receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award, alongside honors for Mary Rae Thewlis and Thomas J. Whelan for their significant contributions to the industry.

Early winners have been announced, with Frederick E.O. Toye taking home the award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in a Dramatic Series for his work on “Shōgun, ‘Crimson Sky.'” In the Theatrical Feature film category, Jacques Audiard was awarded for “Emilia Pérez,” edging out other talented filmmakers such as Sean Baker and Edward Berger. Meanwhile, the first-time directors nominee category celebrates emerging talents in cinema, including Payal Kapadia and Megan Park.

The competitive atmosphere intensifies with nominees ranging across various categories, showcasing extraordinary work across differing storytelling platforms. Programs such as
“Real Time with Bill Maher” and “Saturday Night Live” have been recognized for excellence in variety programming. Further, exciting films, documentaries, commercials, and children’s programming have left their indelible mark at this year’s ceremony, pushing the boundaries of creativity and storytelling.

The 77th DGA Awards highlight the pinnacle of directing talent in film and television, with numerous notable nominees and winners announced across various categories. Jacques Audiard and Frederick E.O. Toye lead the pack in theatrical and dramatic series, respectively. The evening also honors long-standing contributions to cinema, reflecting the dynamic landscape of the entertainment industry. As the awards unfold, anticipation builds for the upcoming Oscars, where many of the DGA contenders will compete for prestige.

Original Source: deadline.com