The winners of the Directors Guild of America Outstanding Directorial Achievement Awards for 2016 were announced tonight during the 69thAnnual DGA Awards at the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills. Damien Chazelle won the DGA’s Award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Feature Film for La La Land.
Actor Jane Lynch hosted the ceremony before an audience of more than 1,200 guests. Presenters included (in alphabetical order): Amy Adams, Michael Apted, Casey Affleck, Paris Barclay, Martha Coolidge, Laverne Cox, Billy Crudup, Michael Fassbender, America Ferrera, Cuba Gooding Jr., Ryan Gosling, Taylor Hackford, Tony Hale, Alex R. Hibbert, Gale Anne Hurd, Alejandro G. Iñárritu, Nicole Kidman, Christine Lahti, Helen Mirren, Mandy Moore, Kevin Nealon, Christopher Nolan, Sarah Paulson, Gene Reynolds, Trevante Rhodes, Ashton Sanders, John Singleton, Emma Stone, Milo Ventimiglia, and Kerry Washington.
Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Feature Film
The winner of the Directors Guild of America Award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Feature Film for 2016 is:
DAMIEN CHAZELLE La La Land (Lionsgate)
Mr. Chazelle’s Directorial Team:
Unit Production Manager: Michael Beugg
First Assistant Director: Peter Kohn
Second Assistant Director: Paula Case
Assistant Unit Production Manager: Bart Lipton
Second Second Assistant Director: Brett Robinson
Additional Second Assistant Director: Dodi Rubenstein
This was Mr. Chazelle’s first DGA Award nomination.
Outstanding Directorial Achievement in First-Time Feature Film
The winner of the Directors Guild of America Award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement of a First-Time Feature Film Director for 2016 is:
GARTH DAVIS Lion (The Weinstein Company)
Mr. Davis’s Directorial Team:
Production Managers: Rajeev Mehra, Rakesh Singh (India Unit)
First Assistant Director: Chris Webb
First Assistant Director: Ananya Rane (India Unit)
Second Assistant Directors: Mark Ingram (Australia Unit), Sunny Tiku (India Unit), KP Singh (India Unit), Shaunak Kapur (India Unit)
This was one of two DGA Award nominations this year for Mr. Davis. He is also nominated in the Feature Film category for Lion. He was previously nominated for the DGA Award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Commercials in 2009 for “Shadow Puppets,” U.S. Cellular.
Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Dramatic Series
The winner of the Directors Guild of America Award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Dramatic Series for 2016 is:
MIGUEL SAPOCHNIK Game of Thrones, “The Battle of the Bastards” (HBO)
This was Mr. Sapochnik’s first DGA Award nomination.
Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Comedy Series
The winner of the Directors Guild of America Award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Comedy Series for 2016 is:
BECKY MARTIN Veep, “Inauguration” (HBO)
Ms. Martin’s Directorial Team:
Unit Production Manager: David Hyman
First Assistant Director: Dale Stern
Second Assistant Director: Michelle Gritzer
Second Second Assistant Director: Chris Riddle
Additional Second Assistant Director: Gary Cotti
This was Ms. Martin’s first DGA Award nomination.
Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Movies for Television and Mini-Series
The winner of the Directors Guild of America Award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Movies for Television and Mini-Series for 2016 is:
STEVEN ZAILLIAN The Night Of, “The Beach” (HBO)
Mr. Zaillian’s Directorial Team:
Unit Production Manager: Greer Yeaton
First Assistant Director: Michael Steele
Second Assistant Director: Ginger Gonzalez
Second Second Assistant Director: Rachel Iovine
Location Manager: Shane Haden
This was Mr. Zaillian’s first DGA Award nomination.
Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Variety/Talk/News/Sports – Regularly Scheduled Programming
The winner of the Directors Guild of America Award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Variety/Talk/News/Sports – Regularly Scheduled Programming for 2016 is:
DON ROY KING Saturday Night Live, “Host: Dave Chappelle” (NBC)
Mr. King’s Directorial Team:
Associate Directors: Michael Mancini, Michael Poole, Bob Caminiti
Stage Managers: Gena Rositano, Chris Kelly
This was Mr. King’s eleventh DGA Award nomination. He previously won the DGA Award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Variety/Talk/News/Sports – Specials in 2015 for Saturday Night Live 40th Anniversary Special and for Variety/Talk/News/Sports – Regularly Scheduled Programming in 2013 for Saturday Night Live “Host: Justin Timberlake.” He was previously nominated for Saturday Night Live episodes in 2006, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2014, and in 2015 in the Variety/Talk/News/Sports – Regularly Scheduled Programming category for the Saturday Night Live episode, “Host: Tracy Morgan/Musical Guest: Demi Lovato.”
Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Variety/Talk/News/Sports – Specials
The winner of the Directors Guild of America Award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Variety/Talk/News/Sports – Specials for 2016 is:
GLENN WEISS The 70th Annual Tony Awards (CBS)
Mr. Weiss’s Directorial Team:
Associate Directors: Ken Diego, Robin Abrams, Ricky Kirshner
Stage Managers: Garry Hood, Peter Epstein, Joey Despenzero, Phyllis Digilio-Kent, Andrew Feigin, Doug Fogel, Jeffry Gitter, Arthur Lewis, Jeffrey M. Markowitz, Cyndi Owgang, Jeff Pearl, Alfonso Pena, Annette Powlis, Elise Reaves, Lauren Class Schneider, Jim Semmelman
This was Mr. Weiss’s thirteenth DGA Award nomination. He previously won the DGA Award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Variety/Talk/News/Sports – Specials in 2007, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2015 for the 61st, 64th, 65th, 66th, 67th and 68th Annual Tony Awards. He was also nominated in 2001, 2002, 2005, 2006 and 2008 for the 55th, 56th, 59th, 60th, and 62nd Annual Tony Awards. He was also nominated in 2015 for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Movies for Television and Mini-Series, together with Rob Ashford, for Peter Pan Live!
Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Reality Programs
The winner of the Directors Guild of America Award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Reality Programs for 2016 is:
J. RUPERT THOMPSON American Grit, “The Finale ‑ Over the Falls” (FOX)
Mr. Thompson’s Directorial Team:
Associate Director: David Charles
Stage Managers: Daniel Curran, Kevin Fletcher
This was Mr. Thompson’s seventh DGA Award nomination. He previously won in this category in 2005 for Fear Factor, “Heist Fear Factor, Season 6 Premiere.” He was also nominated in 2006 for Fear Factor, “Military Fear Factor, Season Finale,” in 2008 for Estate of Panic, “102, That Sinking Feeling,” in 2011 for Fear Factor 2.0, “Scorpion Tales,” in 2012 for Stars Earn Stripes, “Amphibious Assault,” and in 2013 for The Hero, “Teamwork.”
Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Children's Programs
The winner of the Directors Guild of America Award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Children’s Programs for 2016 is:
TINA MABRY
An American Girl Story ‑ Melody 1963: Love Has to Win (Amazon)
Ms. Mabry’s Directorial Team:
Unit Production Manager: Richard G. King
First Assistant Director: Otto Penzato
Second Assistant Director: David Berke
Second Second Assistant Director: Christopher H. Cook
Additional Second Assistant Directors: Candice Lee, Matthew W. Ross
This was Ms. Mabry’s first DGA Award nomination.
Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Commercials
The winner of the Directors Guild of America Award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Commercials for 2016 is:
DEREK CIANFRANCE (RadicalMedia) Chase, Nike Golf – Wieden + Kennedy Portland
First Assistant Director: Rick Lange
Second Assistant Director: Ethan Ross, Craig Sackett, Cue Chatley
Second Second Assistant Directors: Greg Moutran, Stephen Killebrew
Doubts, Powerade – Wieden + Kennedy Portland
First Assistant Director: Mariela Comitini
Second Assistant Director: Brad Robinson
Expectations, Powerade – Wieden + Kennedy Portland
First Assistant Director: Mariela Comitini
Second Assistant Director: Brad Robinson
Manifesto, Squarespace – Anomaly
First Assistant Director: David Backus
Second Assistant Director: Josh Voegelin
This was Mr. Cianfrance’s first DGA Award nomination.
Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Documentary
The winner of the Directors Guild of America Award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Documentary for 2016 is:
EZRA EDELMAN O.J.: Made in America ESPN Films
This was Mr. Edelman’s first DGA Award nomination.
Lifetime Achievement & Service Award Recipients
RIDLEY SCOTT
Lifetime Achievement Award in Feature Film
This award, which is given to a Director in recognition of distinguished achievement in motion picture direction, is the Guild's highest honor and the recipient is selected by the present and past presidents of the Guild.
JAY D. ROTH
DGA Presidents Award
This award, which is given for leadership and extraordinary efforts in enhancing the welfare and image of the Guild and the industry, is bestowed only by a unanimous vote of the sitting and former DGA Presidents.
THOMAS SCHLAMME
Robert B. Aldrich Service Award
This award is given in recognition of extraordinary service to the Directors Guild of America and to its membership.
