Directors Guild of America Award

Categories

Competitive categories

Special awards

Discontinued categories

Winners – Motion Picture

Lifetime Achievement Award

• 1953: Cecil B. DeMille
• 1954: John Ford
• 1955: No award
• 1956: Henry King
• 1957: King Vidor
• 1958: No award
• 1959: Frank Capra
• 1960: George Stevens
• 1961: Frank Borzage
• 1962–1965: No award
• 1966: William Wyler
• 1967: No award
• 1968: Alfred Hitchcock
• 1969: No award
• 1970: Fred Zinnemann
• 1971–1972: No award
• 1973: William A. Wellman and David Lean
• 1974–1980: No award
• 1981: George Cukor
• 1982: Rouben Mamoulian
• 1983: John Huston
• 1984: Orson Welles
• 1985: Billy Wilder
• 1986: Joseph L. Mankiewicz
• 1987: Elia Kazan
• 1988: Robert Wise
• 1989: No award
• 1990: Ingmar Bergman
• 1991: No award
• 1992: Akira Kurosawa
• 1993: Sidney Lumet
• 1994: Robert Altman
• 1995: James Ivory
• 1996: Woody Allen
• 1997: Stanley Kubrick
• 1998: Francis Ford Coppola
• 1999: No award
• 2000: Steven Spielberg
• 2001: No award
• 2002: Martin Scorsese
• 2003: No award
• 2004: Mike Nichols
• 2005: No award
• 2006: Clint Eastwood
• 2007–2009: No award
• 2010: Norman Jewison
• 2011: Alice Guy-Blaché
• 2012: Miloš Forman
• 2013–2015: No award
• 2016: Ridley Scott

  Outstanding Achievement in Feature Film

• 1948: Joseph L. Mankiewicz – A Letter to Three Wives ¿
• 1949: Robert Rossen – All the King's Men ¿ **
• 1950: Joseph L. Mankiewicz – All About Eve † **
• 1951: George Stevens – A Place in the Sun †
• 1952: John Ford – The Quiet Man †
• 1953: Fred Zinnemann – From Here to Eternity † **
• 1954: Elia Kazan – On the Waterfront † **
• 1955: Delbert Mann – Marty † **
• 1956: George Stevens – Giant †
• 1957: David Lean – The Bridge on the River Kwai † **
• 1958: Vincente Minnelli – Gigi † **
• 1959: William Wyler – Ben-Hur † **
• 1960: Billy Wilder – The Apartment † **
• 1961: Robert Wise – West Side Story † **
• 1962: David Lean – Lawrence of Arabia † **
• 1963: Tony Richardson – Tom Jones † **
• 1964: George Cukor – My Fair Lady † **
• 1965: Robert Wise – The Sound of Music † **
• 1966: Fred Zinnemann – A Man for All Seasons † **
• 1967: Mike Nichols – The Graduate †
• 1968: Anthony Harvey – The Lion in Winter ‡
• 1969: John Schlesinger – Midnight Cowboy † **
• 1970: Franklin Schaffner – Patton † **
• 1971: William Friedkin – The French Connection † **
• 1972: Francis Ford Coppola – The Godfather ‡ **
• 1973: George Roy Hill – The Sting † **
• 1974: Francis Ford Coppola – The Godfather Part II † **
• 1975: Miloš Forman – One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest † **
• 1976: John G. Avildsen – Rocky † **
• 1977: Woody Allen – Annie Hall † **
• 1978: Michael Cimino – The Deer Hunter † **
• 1979: Robert Benton – Kramer vs. Kramer † **
• 1980: Robert Redford – Ordinary People † **
• 1981: Warren Beatty – Reds †
• 1982: Richard Attenborough – Gandhi † **
• 1983: James L. Brooks – Terms of Endearment † **
• 1984: Miloš Forman – Amadeus † **
• 1985: Steven Spielberg – The Color Purple §
• 1986: Oliver Stone – Platoon † **
• 1987: Bernardo Bertolucci – The Last Emperor † **
• 1988: Barry Levinson – Rain Man † **
• 1989: Oliver Stone – Born on the Fourth of July †
• 1990: Kevin Costner – Dances with Wolves † **
• 1991: Jonathan Demme – The Silence of the Lambs † **
• 1992: Clint Eastwood – Unforgiven † **
• 1993: Steven Spielberg – Schindler's List † **
• 1994: Robert Zemeckis – Forrest Gump † **
• 1995: Ron Howard – Apollo 13 §
• 1996: Anthony Minghella – The English Patient † **
• 1997: James Cameron – Titanic † **
• 1998: Steven Spielberg – Saving Private Ryan †
• 1999: Sam Mendes – American Beauty † **
• 2000: Ang Lee – Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon ‡
• 2001: Ron Howard – A Beautiful Mind † **
• 2002: Rob Marshall – Chicago ‡ **
• 2003: Peter Jackson – ' † **
• 2004: Clint Eastwood – Million Dollar Baby † **
• 2005: Ang Lee – Brokeback Mountain †
• 2006: Martin Scorsese – The Departed † **
• 2007: Joel and Ethan Coen – No Country for Old Men † **
• 2008: Danny Boyle – Slumdog Millionaire † **
• 2009: Kathryn Bigelow – The Hurt Locker † **
• 2010: Tom Hooper – The King's Speech † **
• 2011: Michel Hazanavicius – The Artist † **
• 2012: Ben Affleck – Argo § **
• 2013: Alfonso Cuarón – Gravity †
• 2014: Alejandro G. Iñárritu – Birdman or † **
• 2015: Alejandro G. Iñárritu – The Revenant †
• 2016: Damien Chazelle – La La Land †
• 2017: Guillermo del Toro – The Shape of Water † **
• 2018: Alfonso Cuarón — Roma †
• 2019: Sam Mendes — 1917 ‡

1. † – Director won the Academy Award.
2. ‡ – Director did not win the Academy Award.
3. § – Director was not nominated for Academy Award that year.
4. ** - Film also won the Academy Award for Best Picture.
5. ¿' – Originally, the DGA used a non-calendar year for its award. Both films competed in the 22nd Academy Awards for 1949, and both directors were nominated for Best Director; Mankiewicz won. All the King's Men'' won Best Picture; Rossen's DGA was not awarded until after the Oscars.

   Outstanding Achievement in Documentary

• 1991: Barbara Kopple – American Dream
• 1992: Joe Berlinger and Bruce Sinofsky – Brother's Keeper
• 1993: Terry Zwigoff – Crumb
• 1994: Steve James – Hoop Dreams
• 1995: No award
• 1996: Al Pacino – Looking for Richard
• 1997: Michael Uys and Lexy Lovell – Riding the Rails
• 1998: Jerry Blumenthal, Peter Gilbert, and Gordon Quinn – Vietnam, Long Time Coming
• 1999: Nanette Burstein and Brett Morgen – On the Ropes
• 2000: Chuck Braverman – High School Boot Camp
• 2001: Chris Hegedus and Jehane Noujaim – Startup.com
• 2002: Tasha Oldham – The Smith Family
• 2003: Nathaniel Kahn – My Architect
• 2004: Byambasuren Davaa and Luigi Falorni – The Story of the Weeping Camel
• 2005: Werner Herzog – Grizzly Man
• 2006: Arūnas Matelis – Before Flying Back to Earth
• 2007: Asger Leth – Ghosts of Cité Soleil
• 2008: Ari Folman – Waltz with Bashir
• 2009: Louie Psihoyos – The Cove
• 2010: Charles Ferguson – Inside Job
• 2011: James Marsh – Project Nim
• 2012: Malik Bendjelloul – Searching for Sugar Man
• 2013: Jehane Noujaim – The Square
• 2014: Laura Poitras – Citizenfour
• 2015: Matthew Heineman – Cartel Land
• 2016: Ezra Edelman – '
• 2017: Matthew Heineman – City of Ghosts
• 2018: Tim Wardle – Three Identical Strangers
• 2019:' Steven Bognar and Julia Reichert — American Factory''

  Outstanding Achievement in First-Time Feature Film

• 2015: Alex Garland – Ex Machina
• 2016: Garth Davis – Lion
• 2017: Jordan Peele – Get Out
• 2018: Bo Burnham – Eighth Grade
• 2019: Alma Har'el — Honey Boy

  Winners – Television

Lifetime Achievement Award

• 2014: James Burrows and Robert Butler
• 2015: Joe Pytka
• 2018: Don Mischer

  Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Commercials

• 2012: Alejandro González Iñárritu

  Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Comedy Series

• 1990: James Burrows – Cheers
• 1991: Peter Bonerz – Murphy Brown
• 1992: Tom Cherones – Seinfeld
• 1993: James Burrows – Frasier
• 1994: David Lee – Frasier
• 1995: Gordon Hunt – Mad About You
• 1996: Andy Ackerman – Seinfeld
• 1997: Andy Ackerman – Seinfeld
• 1998: Thomas Schlamme – Sports Night
• 1999: Thomas Schlamme – Sports Night
• 2000: James Burrows – Will & Grace
• 2001: Todd Holland – Malcolm in the Middle
• 2002: Bryan Gordon – Curb Your Enthusiasm
• 2003: Tim Van Patten – Sex and the City
• 2004: Tim Van Patten – Sex and the City
• 2005: Marc Buckland – My Name Is Earl
• 2006: Richard Shepard – Ugly Betty
• 2007: Barry Sonnenfeld – Pushing Daisies
• 2008: Paul Feig – The Office
• 2009: Jason Winer – Modern Family
• 2010: Michael Spiller – Modern Family
• 2011: Robert B. Weide – Curb Your Enthusiasm
• 2012: Lena Dunham – Girls
• 2013: Beth McCarthy-Miller – 30 Rock
• 2014: Jill Soloway – Transparent
• 2015: Chris Addison – Veep
• 2016: Becky Martin – Veep
• 2017: Beth McCarthy-Miller – Veep
• 2018: Bill Hader – Barry
• 2019: Bill Hader – Barry

  Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Dramatic Series

• 1971: Daniel Petrie – The Man and the City
• 1972: Robert Butler – The Waltons
• 1973: Charles S. Dubin – Kojak
• 1974: David Friedkin – Kojak
• 1975: James Cellan Jones – Jennie: Lady Randolph Churchill
• 1976: Glenn Jordan – Family
• 1977: John Erman – Roots
• 1978: Gene Reynolds – Lou Grant
• 1979: Roger Young – Lou Grant
• 1980: Roger Young – Lou Grant
• 1981: Robert Butler – Hill Street Blues
• 1982: David Anspaugh – Hill Street Blues
• 1983: Jeff Bleckner – Hill Street Blues
• 1984: Thomas Carter – Hill Street Blues
• 1985: Will Mackenzie – Moonlighting
• 1986: Will Mackenzie – Moonlighting
• 1987: Marshall Herskovitz – thirtysomething
• 1988: Marshall Herskovitz – thirtysomething
• 1989: Eric Laneuville – L.A. Law
• 1990: Michael Zinberg – Quantum Leap
• 1991: Eric Laneuville – I'll Fly Away
• 1992: Rob Thompson – Northern Exposure
• 1993: Gregory Hoblit – NYPD Blue
• 1994: Charles Haid – ER
• 1995: Christopher Chulack – ER
• 1996: Christopher Chulack – ER
• 1997: Barbara Kopple – '
• 1998: Paris Barclay – NYPD Blue
• 1999: David Chase – The Sopranos
• 2000: Thomas Schlamme – The West Wing
• 2001: Alan Ball – Six Feet Under
• 2002: John Patterson – The Sopranos
• 2003: Christopher Misiano – The West Wing
• 2004: Walter Hill – Deadwood
• 2005: Michael Apted – Rome
• 2006: Jon Cassar – 24
• 2007: Alan Taylor – Mad Men
• 2008: Dan Attias – The Wire
• 2009: Lesli Linka Glatter – Mad Men
• 2010: Martin Scorsese – Boardwalk Empire
• 2011: Patty Jenkins – The Killing
• 2012: Rian Johnson – Breaking Bad
• 2013: Vince Gilligan – Breaking Bad
• 2014: Lesli Linka Glatter – Homeland
• 2015: David Nutter – Game of Thrones
• 2016: Miguel Sapochnik – Game of Thrones
• 2017: Reed Morano – The Handmaid's Tale
• 2018: Adam McKay – Succession
• 2019:' Nicole Kassell – Watchmen''

  Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Children's Programs

• 1984: Sharron Miller – The Woman Who Willed a Miracle
• 1996: Stuart Margolin – Salt Water Moose
• 1997: Brian Robbins – Nickelodeon Sports Theater
• 1998: Mitchell Kriegman – Bear in the Big Blue House
• 1999: Amy Schatz – Goodnight Moon and Other Sleepy Time Tales
• 2000: Greg Beeman – Miracle in Lane 2
• 2001: Amy Schatz – 'Twas the Night: A Holiday Celebration
• 2002: Guy Ferland – Bang Bang You're Dead
• 2003: Kevin Lima – Eloise at Christmastime
• 2004: Stuart Gillard – Going to the Mat
• 2005: Chris Eyre – Edge of America
• 2006: Kenny Ortega – High School Musical
• 2007: Paul Hoen – Jump In!
• 2008: Amy Schatz – Classical Baby
• 2009: Allison Liddi-Brown – Princess Protection Program
• 2010: Eric Bross – The Boy Who Cried Werewolf
• 2011: Amy Schatz – A Child's Garden of Poetry
• 2012: Paul Hoen – Let It Shine
• 2013: Amy Schatz – An Apology to Elephants
• 2014: Jonathan Judge – 100 Things To Do Before High School
• 2015: Kenny Ortega – Descendants
• 2016: Tina Mabry – '
• 2017:' Niki Caro – Anne with an E''

  Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Daytime Serials (1991–2012)

• 1991: Michael Stich – The Bold and the Beautiful
• 1992: Susan Strickler – Another World
• 1993: Jill Mitwell – One Life to Live
• 1994: Michael Stich – The Bold and the Beautiful
• 1995: William Ludel and Alan Pultz – General Hospital
• 1996: Kathyrn Foster and Mike Denney – The Young and the Restless
• 1997: Scott McKinsey – General Hospital
• 1998: James Sayegh – One Life to Live
• 1999: Herb D. Stein and Roger W. Inman – Days of Our Lives
• 2000: Jill Mitwell – One Life to Live
• 2001: William Ludel – General Hospital
• 2002: Scott McKinsey – Port Charles
• 2003: Larry Carpenter – One Life to Live
• 2004: Bruce S. Barry – Guiding Light
• 2005: Owen Renfroe – General Hospital
• 2006: Jill Mitwell – One Life to Live
• 2007: Larry Carpenter – One Life to Live
• 2008: Larry Carpenter – One Life to Live
• 2009: Christopher Goutman – As the World Turns
• 2010: Larry Carpenter – One Life to Live
• 2011: William Ludel – General Hospital
• 2012: Jill Mitwell – One Life to Live

  Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Reality Programs (2005–present)

• 2005: Tony Croll – Three Wishes & J. Rupert Thompson – Fear Factor
• 2006: Tony Sacco – Treasure Hunters
• 2007: Bertram van Munster – The Amazing Race
• 2008: Tony Croll – America's Next Top Model
• 2009: Craig Borders – Extreme Engineering
• 2010: Eytan Keller – The Next Iron Chef
• 2011: Neil P. DeGroot – The Biggest Loser
• 2012: Brian Smith – MasterChef
• 2013: Neil P. DeGroot – 72 Hours
• 2014: Anthony B. Sacco – The Chair
• 2015: Adam Vetri – Steve Austin's Broken Skull Challenge
• 2016: J. Rupert Thompson – American Grit
• 2017: Brian Smith – MasterChef

  Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Movies for Television and Miniseries

• 2000: Jeff Bleckner – '
• 2001: Frank Pierson – Conspiracy
• 2002: Mick Jackson – Live from Baghdad
• 2003: Mike Nichols – Angels in America
• 2004: Joseph Sargent – Something the Lord Made
• 2005: George C. Wolfe – Lackawanna Blues
• 2006: Walter Hill – Broken Trail
• 2007: Yves Simoneau – Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee
• 2008: Jay Roach – Recount
• 2009: Ross Katz – Taking Chance
• 2010: Mick Jackson – Temple Grandin
• 2011: Jon Cassar – The Kennedys
• 2012: Jay Roach – Game Change
• 2013: Steven Soderbergh – Behind the Candelabra
• 2014: Lisa Cholodenko – Olive Kitteridge
• 2015: Dee Rees – Bessie
• 2016: Steve Zaillian – The Night Of
• 2017: Jean-Marc Vallée – Big Little Lies
• 2018: Ben Stiller – Escape at Dannemora
• 2019:' Johan Renck – Chernobyl''

  Outstanding Directorial Achievement in a Variety/Talk/News/Sports Series (2013–present)

• 2013: Don Roy King – Saturday Night Live
• 2014: Dave Diomedi – The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon
• 2015: Dave Diomedi – The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon
• 2016: Don Roy King – Saturday Night Live
• 2017: Don Roy King – Saturday Night Live

  Outstanding Directorial Achievement in a Variety/Talk/News/Sports Special (2013–present)

• 2013: Glenn Weiss – 67th Tony Awards
• 2014: Glenn Weiss – 68th Tony Awards
• 2015: Don Roy King – Saturday Night Live 40th Anniversary Special
• 2016: Glenn Weiss – 70th Tony Awards
• 2017: Glenn Weiss – 89th Academy Awards