In a ceremony brimming with emotional tributes and industry camaraderie, acclaimed filmmaker Paul Thomas Anderson secured the Directors Guild of America’s highest feature film honor for his work on ‘One Battle After Another.’ The 2026 DGA Awards, hosted by comedian Kumail Nanjiani at the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, served as a celebratory gathering for directing excellence across film, television, and commercial productions over the past year.
Anderson triumphed in a fiercely competitive category that included cinematic luminaries Ryan Coogler (‘Sinners’), Guillermo Del Toro (‘Frankenstein’), Josh Safdie (‘Marty Supreme’), and Chloe Zhao (‘Hamnet’). In a deeply moving acceptance speech, the director called his entire filmmaking team to the stage and paid heartfelt homage to his first director and mentor, Adam Somner, who passed away in November 2024. ‘This is an incredible, incredible honor,’ Anderson stated. ‘We’re going to take it with the love that it’s given and the appreciation of all our comrades in this room—obviously we are up here minus one.’
The event marked the inaugural ceremony presided over by newly appointed DGA president Christopher Nolan, who opened the evening by addressing the contemporary challenges facing the directorial community. Host Kumail Nanjiani provided comedic relief, jesting about directors’ unique communication abilities to translate ‘a complex idea into something an actor can understand.’
Reflecting the DGA’s distinctive tradition, each theatrical feature nominee received individual recognition prior to the winner announcement. Leonardo DiCaprio applauded Anderson for crafting ‘a cinematic identity for Los Angeles that feels almost forensic,’ while Michael B. Jordan celebrated Ryan Coogler’s collaborative approach. Jacob Elordi humorously remarked to Guillermo Del Toro, ‘You’re the greatest friend a monster could have.’ Timothee Chalamet lightheartedly teased Josh Safdie about his self-styling techniques, and legendary director Steven Spielberg presented Chloe Zhao’s nomination, commending her extraordinary achievement in bringing ‘Hamnet’ to the screen.
The ceremony also celebrated winners across multiple categories including ‘The Studio,’ ‘The Pitt,’ ‘Dying for Sex,’ ‘SNL50,’ ‘Mr. Scorsese,’ and the documentary ‘2000 Meters to Andriivka.’ First-time feature director Charlie Polinger (‘The Plague’) expressed gratitude to his collaborators, while female directors achieved a significant milestone by securing victories in five separate categories, highlighting the evolving landscape of the industry.