By Sandy Cohen, Entertainment Writer
LOS ANGELES (AP) --A month into Hollywood’s awards season and the competition is still wide open. “The Hurt Locker” appears to be a front-runner, but “Avatar,” ”Precious,” ”Inglourious Basterds” and “Up in the Air” have won their share of awards, too.
The directors of these films — Kathryn Bigelow, James Cameron, Lee Daniels, Quentin Tarantino and Jason Reitman — compete Saturday for the top prize from the Directors Guild of America, an award that almost always predicts the Oscar winner for best director.
Bigelow’s “The Hurt Locker” has already won directing and best-picture honors from the National Society of Film Critics, the New York Film Critics Circle, the Los Angeles Film Critics Association and at the Critics’ Choice Awards, where both competed against the same four DGA nominees. “The Hurt Locker” was also the Producers Guild’s best picture winner.
Cameron, who is Bigelow’s ex-husband, was best director and “Avatar” best picture at the Golden Globes. “Precious” has won half a dozen awards for supporting actress Mo’Nique. “Basterds” won acting ensemble honors from Critics’ Choice the Screen Actors Guild. “Up in the Air” was the National Board of Review’s pick for best picture.
The DGA Web site boasts that its winner has gone on to win the Academy Award for directing all but six times since 1948, and typically, the film that wins the Oscar for best director goes on to win for best picture.
The guild will also present awards in documentary, television and commercial categories. Norman Jewison will receive the guild’s Lifetime Achievement Award for Distinguished Achievement in Motion Picture Direction at the ceremony at the Hyatt Regency Century Plaza hotel.
“Dune: Part Two” and “House of the Dragon” Win 2 HPA Awards Apiece
Dune: Part Two and House of the Dragon each scored two HPA Awards during a gala ceremony at the Television Academy’s Wolf Theatre in North Hollywood, Calif. on Thursday night (11/7). The HPA Awards honor trailblazing talent in the postproduction industry, celebrating standout achievements in color grading, sound, editing, restoration, and visual effects across theatrical features, commercials, and episodics.
Dune: Part Two topped the Outstanding Color Grading--Live Action Theatrical Feature and the Outstanding Sound--Theatrical Feature categories.
House of the Dragon’s two wins were for “The Red Dragon and the Gold” episode which scored for Outstanding Visual Effects--Live Action Episode or Series Season, and Outstanding Editing--Episode or Non-Theatrical Feature (Over 30 Minutes). In the latter HPA Creative Category, House of the Dragon tied with the “Part Six: Far,l Far Away” episode of Ahsoka.
The HPA’s Judges Award for Creativity and Innovation honored Taylor Swift | The Eras Tour. This recognition celebrates the profound impact on both live and filmed entertainment that defined The Eras Tour, underscoring its exceptional impact on audiences and the industry. The jury issued a statement outlining their choice: “Celebrated as the cultural phenomenon of 2023, Taylor Swift | The Eras Tour set new records in box office sales, tour revenues, and attendance. The tour showcased exceptional artistry and innovation, making a profound impact on both live and filmed entertainment.”
This year, FotoKem was awarded the Charles S. Swartz Award for its role in supporting filmmakers, studios, cinematographers, and artists across diverse film and media landscapes. Also celebrated... Read More