Oscars<\/a>, including best picture, director, original screenplay and film editing.<\/p>\n\n\tA win for Coogler would reshape the race and solidify his status as the clear Oscar frontrunner in a category that has yet to recognize a Black directing winner. Still, Paul Thomas Anderson \u2014 the season\u2019s early juggernaut \u2014 remains a formidable contender among pundits. Earning his third career DGA nomination, following \u201cThere Will Be Blood\u201d (2007) and \u201cLicorice Pizza\u201d (2021), Anderson also receives an emotional boost tied to the late Adam Somner, his longtime first assistant director, who died in Nov. 2024 \u2014 a loss likely to resonate with DGA voters. A vote for Anderson would also honor Somner, as the guild recognizes the whole directorial filmmaking team, including unit production managers and first and second assistant directors.<\/p>\n
\t\t\t\t\t\t![\"\"](\"https:\/\/variety.com\/wp-content\/themes\/pmc-variety-2020\/assets\/public\/lazyload-fallback.gif\")
<\/p>\n
\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tCourtesy of Netflix<\/p>\n
\n\tBeyond feature films, the DGA Awards recognize achievement in documentary and first-time feature filmmaking. The documentary feature nominees are:<\/p>\n
Mstyslav Chernov, \u201c2000 Meters to Andriivka\u201d (PBS)<\/p>\n
Geeta Gandbhir, \u201cThe Perfect Neighbor\u201d (Netflix)<\/p>\n
Sara Khaki and Mohammadreza Eyni, \u201cCutting Through Rocks\u201d (Self-Distributed)<\/p>\n
Elizabeth Lo, \u201cMistress Dispeller\u201d (Oscilloscope)<\/p>\n
Laura Poitras and Mark Obenhaus, \u201cCover-Up\u201d (Netflix)<\/p>\n
\n\tTwo of the five Oscar documentary feature nominees \u2014 Gandbhir and the duo of Khaki and Eyni \u2014 are recognized here, though a DGA nomination has not always translated to Academy success.<\/p>\n
\n\tSince the Academy expanded the best picture field in 2009, the DGA and Oscar documentary winners have aligned inconsistently:<\/p>\n
2009: DGA \u2014 \u201cThe Cove\u201d \/ Oscar \u2014 \u201cThe Cove\u201d<\/p>\n
2010: DGA \u2014 \u201cInside Job\u201d \/ Oscar \u2014 \u201cInside Job\u201d<\/p>\n
2011: DGA \u2014 \u201cProject Nim\u201d (not Oscar-nominated) \/ Oscar \u2014 \u201cUndefeated\u201d (not DGA-nominated)<\/p>\n
2012: DGA \u2014 \u201cSearching for Sugar Man\u201d \/ Oscar \u2014 \u201cSearching for Sugar Man\u201d<\/p>\n
2013: DGA \u2014 \u201cThe Square\u201d \/ Oscar \u2014 \u201c20 Feet From Stardom\u201d (not DGA-nominated)<\/p>\n
2014: DGA \u2014 \u201cCitizenfour\u201d \/ Oscar \u2014 \u201cCitizenfour\u201d<\/p>\n
2015: DGA \u2014 \u201cCartel Land\u201d \/ Oscar \u2014 \u201cAmy\u201d<\/p>\n
2016: DGA \u2014 \u201cO.J.: Made in America\u201d \/ Oscar \u2014 \u201cO.J.: Made in America\u201d<\/p>\n
2017: DGA \u2014 \u201cCity of Ghosts\u201d (not Oscar-nominated) \/ Oscar \u2014 \u201cIcarus\u201d<\/p>\n
2018: DGA \u2014 \u201cThree Identical Strangers\u201d (not Oscar-nominated) \/ Oscar \u2014 \u201cFree Solo\u201d<\/p>\n
2019: DGA \u2014 \u201cAmerican Factory\u201d \/ Oscar \u2014 \u201cAmerican Factory\u201d<\/p>\n
2020: DGA \u2014 \u201cThe Truffle Hunters\u201d (not Oscar-nominated) \/ Oscar \u2014 \u201cMy Octopus Teacher\u201d<\/p>\n
2021: DGA \u2014 \u201cAttica\u201d \/ Oscar \u2014 \u201cSummer of Soul\u201d<\/p>\n
2022: DGA \u2014 \u201cFire of Love\u201d \/ Oscar \u2014 \u201cNavalny\u201d<\/p>\n
2023: DGA \u2014 \u201c20 Days in Mariupol\u201d \/ Oscar \u2014 \u201c20 Days in Mariupol\u201d<\/p>\n
2024: DGA \u2014 \u201cPorcelain War\u201d \/ Oscar \u2014 \u201cNo Other Land\u201d (not DGA-nominated)<\/p>\n
\n\tNetflix\u2019s \u201cThe Perfect Neighbor\u201d has dominated the precursor circuit, leading the field with more than two dozen wins. It is followed at a distance by the non-Oscar-nominated \u201cOrwell: 2+2=5\u201d and the self-distributed \u201cMy Undesirable Friends: Part I \u2014 Last Air in Moscow.\u201d <\/p>\n
\n\tPoitras and Chernov have both won this category before \u2014 Poitras for \u201cCitizenfour\u201d and Chernov for \u201c20 Days in Mariupol.\u201d Only three filmmakers have won more than once: Matthew Heineman (2015, 2017, 2022), Jehane Noujaim (2001, 2004, 2013) and Barbara Kopple (1991, 1993). Neither Poitras nor Chernov is expected to join that list this year.<\/p>\n
\n\tWhile \u201cCutting Through Rocks\u201d is critically acclaimed and has strong international support \u2014 and could echo a winning partnership like last year\u2019s victors, Brendan Bellomo and Slava Leontyev, for \u201cPorcelain War\u201d \u2014 it may lack the kind of singular, visionary style the branch often rewards. A similar case can be made for Elizabeth Lo\u2019s well-regarded \u201cMistress Dispeller.\u201d<\/p>\n
\n\tThat leaves Geeta Gandbhir, who made Oscar history as the first Indian woman to receive double nominations in the same year. She is only the second Indian woman ever nominated in documentary feature, following Nisha Pahuja for \u201cTo Kill a Tiger\u201d (2023). Gandbhir also earned a nomination for her HBO documentary short \u201cThe Devil Is Busy,\u201d making her the second Indian woman nominated in that category, after Smriti Mundhra \u2014 the only Indian woman to be nominated twice in any Oscar category, for \u201cSt. Louis Superman\u201d (2019) and \u201cI Am Ready, Warden\u201d (2024).<\/p>\n
\n\tWhile recent years have shown some splits, the data indicate that DGA recognition in documentary is informative, not predictive, leaving the category among the most erratic on the Oscar ballot. <\/p>\n
\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n
\t\t\t\t\tSORRY, BABY, from left: Naomi Ackie, Eva Victor, 2025. \u00a9 A24 \/ courtesy Everett Collection<\/p>\n
\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tCourtesy Everett Collection<\/p>\n
\n\tThe Michael Apted Award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in a First-Time Theatrical Feature Film features a strong mix of domestic and international auteurs emerging as some of the most exciting new voices in cinema. The nominees are:<\/p>\n
Hasan Hadi, \u201cThe President\u2019s Cake\u201d (Sony Pictures Classics)<\/p>\n
Harry Lighton, \u201cPillion\u201d (A24)<\/p>\n
Charlie Polinger, \u201cThe Plague\u201d (IFC)<\/p>\n
Alex Russell, \u201cLurker\u201d (Mubi)<\/p>\n
Eva Victor, \u201cSorry, Baby\u201d (A24)<\/p>\n
\n\tPast winners in this category include Alex Garland (\u201cEx Machina\u201d), Jordan Peele (\u201cGet Out\u201d), Bo Burnham (\u201cEighth Grade\u201d), Charlotte Wells (\u201cAftersun\u201d), Celine Song (\u201cPast Lives\u201d) and RaMell Ross (\u201cNickel Boys\u201d).<\/p>\n
\n\tThe race appears to be narrowing to a three-way showdown between Lighton \u2014 buoyed by three BAFTA nominations \u2014 Polinger, whose film earned three Independent Spirit Award noms, including best feature, and Victor, another breakout favorite with significant traction from both the Indie Spirit and Gotham Awards. This often comes down to visibility, so perhaps that gives the edge to Victor, whose film received a shout-out from Julia Roberts at the Golden Globes earlier in January. Could that have helped?<\/p>\n
\n\tNotably, the Producers Guild of America, which announced its nominees on Jan. 9, closed voting Tuesday, Feb. 3, well ahead of its Feb. 28 ceremony. That timetable places PGA and DGA voting early in the phase two window, just 10 to 12 days after Oscar nominations are revealed. The compressed schedule can signal an \u201cearly\u201d momentum shift rather than allowing time for a late-breaking surge. A similar scenario played out during the 72nd DGA Awards, held Jan. 25, 2020 \u2014 also 12 days after the 92nd Academy Award nominations were announced \u2014 when Sam Mendes won the DGA prize for his World War I epic \u201c1917\u201d (2019). Final Oscar voting that year ran from Jan. 30 to Feb. 4. Yet less than two weeks later, \u201cParasite\u201d and director Bong Joon Ho made history at the Oscars, winning best picture, director, original screenplay and international feature on Feb. 19, 2020.<\/p>\n
\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n
\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tApple TV+<\/p>\n
\n\tThe TV races could ultimately fall within familiar parameters, with \u201cThe Pitt, \u201d whose pilot was directed by John Wells, poised to take the drama prize and \u201cThe Studio,\u201d led by Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg\u2019s showy sophomore season episode \u201cThe Oner,\u201d emerging triumphant in comedy. Still, the potential for disruption remains with eyes on \u201cAndor\u201d and \u201cHacks,\u201d helmed by Janus Metz and Lucia Aniello.<\/p>\n
\n\tWith \u201cAdolescence\u201d ineligible for DGA recognition, the door is open in the limited series category for new contenders to step into the spotlight. Netflix dominates the field, claiming four of the five directing slots, including DGA winner Jason Bateman for \u201cBlack Rabbit,\u201d former DGA president Lesli Linka Glatter for \u201cZero Day,\u201d and first-time nominees Antonio Campos for \u201cThe Beast in Me\u201d and Ally Pankiw, also for \u201cBlack Mirror.\u201d They face last year\u2019s Emmy nominee Shannon Murphy, director of the Michelle Williams vehicle \u201cDying for Sex.\u201d<\/p>\n
\n\tRecency bias often plays a decisive role, and Bateman, earning his fourth career DGA nomination after a three-year run with \u201cOzark,\u201d enters as a familiar name. A win here could position him as an early force in the Emmys 2026 campaign.<\/p>\n
\n\tUntil then, we wait for the DGA Awards to cast their final votes. The final Academy voting runs from Feb. 26 through Mar. 5. The 98th Academy Awards will be held Mar. 15 and air on ABC, with Conan O\u2019Brien hosting.<\/p>\n
\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n
\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tDirectors Guild<\/p>\n
\n\tFilm Categories<\/p>\n
\n\tTheatrical Feature Film
Will Win: Paul Thomas Anderson, \u201cOne Battle After Another\u201d
Could Win: Ryan Coogler, \u201cSinners\u201d<\/p>\n
\n\tDocumentary Feature
Will Win: Sara Khaki and Mohammadreza Eyni, \u201cCutting Through Rocks\u201d
Could Win: Geeta Gandbhir, \u201cThe Perfect Neighbor\u201d<\/p>\n
\n\tFirst-Time Feature
Will Win: Eva Victor, \u201cSorry, Baby\u201d
Could Win: Charlie Polinger, \u201cThe Plague\u201d<\/p>\n
\n\tTelevision Categories<\/p>\n
\n\tDrama Series
Will Win: John Wells, \u201cThe Pitt\u201d (HBO Max) \u2014 \u201c7:00 A.M.\u201d
Could Win: Janus Metz, \u201cAndor\u201d (Disney+) \u2014 \u201cWho Are You?\u201d<\/p>\n
\n\tComedy Series
Will Win: Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg, \u201cThe Studio\u201d (Apple TV+) \u2014 \u201cThe Oner\u201d
Could Win: Lucia Aniello, \u201cHacks\u201d (HBO Max) \u2014 \u201cA Slippery Slope\u201d<\/p>\n
\n\tLimited or Anthology Series
Will Win: Jason Bateman, \u201cBlack Rabbit\u201d (Netflix) \u2014 \u201cThe Black Rabbits\u201d
Could Win: Lesli Linka Glatter, \u201cZero Day\u201d (Netflix) \u2014 \u201cEpisode 6\u201d<\/p>\n
\n\tMovies for Television
Will Win: Jesse Armstrong, \u201cMountainhead\u201d (HBO Max)
Could Win: Stephen Chbosky, \u201cNonnas\u201d (Netflix)<\/p>\n
\n\tVariety Series
Will Win: Liz Patrick, \u201cSNL50: The Anniversary Special\u201d (NBC)
Could Win: Andy Fisher, \u201cJimmy Kimmel Live!\u201d (ABC) \u2014 \u201cStephen Colbert; Kumail Nanjiani; Rene\u00e9 Rapp\u201d<\/p>\n
\n\tSports
Will Win: Matthew Gangl, \u201c2025 World Series \u2014 Game 7\u201d (Fox)
Could Win: Rich Russo, \u201cSuper Bowl LIX\u201d (Fox)<\/p>\n
\n\tReality, Quiz or Game
Will Win: Mike Sweeney, \u201cConan O\u2019Brien Must Go\u201d (HBO Max) \u2014 \u201cAustria\u201d
Could Win: Lucinda M. Margolis, \u201cJeopardy!\u201d (Syndicated) \u2014 \u201cEpisode 9341\u201d<\/p>\n
\n\tDocumentary Series or News
Will Win: Matt Wolf, \u201cPee-wee as Himself\u201d (HBO Max) \u2014 \u201cPart 1\u201d
Could Win: Rebecca Miller, \u201cMr. Scorsese\u201d (Apple TV+) \u2014 \u201cAll This Filming Isn\u2019t Healthy\u201d<\/p>\n
\n\tCommercials
Will Win: Spike Jonze \u2014 Apple\u2019s \u201cSomeday\u201d
Could Win: Kim Gehrig \u2014 Nike\u2019s \u201cYou Can\u2019t Win. So Win.\u201d and Apple\u2019s \u201cI\u2019m Not Remarkable\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"It may be Super Bowl weekend, but in Hollywood, another playoff-style contest is commanding attention \u2014 one Oscar…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":268017,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[32],"tags":[106459,430,152409,156,111,139,69,2584,15599,69750],"class_list":{"0":"post-268016","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-celebrities","8":"tag-awards-circuit-column","9":"tag-celebrities","10":"tag-dga","11":"tag-entertainment","12":"tag-new-zealand","13":"tag-newzealand","14":"tag-nz","15":"tag-oscars","16":"tag-paul-thomas-anderson","17":"tag-ryan-coogler"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/268016","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=268016"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/268016\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/268017"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=268016"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=268016"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=268016"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}