The winners of the Directors Guild of America Outstanding Directorial Achievement Awards for 2021 were announced at the 74th Annual DGA Awards at the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills hosted by Judd Apatow.
Jane Campion won the DGA Award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Theatrical Feature Film for The Power of the Dog.
Other awards went to Maggie Gyllenhaal for Outstanding Directorial of a First-Time Feature Film Director for The Lost Daughter; and to Stanley Nelson for Outstanding Directorial in Documentary for Attica.
Award Winners of 74th Annual DGA Awards
OUTSTANDING DIRECTORIAL ACHIEVEMENT IN THEATRICAL FEATURE FILM
JANE CAMPION
The Power of the Dog
(Netflix)
This is Ms. Campion’s second DGA Award nomination. She was previously nominated in this category in 1993 for The Piano.
OUTSTANDING DIRECTORIAL ACHIEVEMENT OF A FIRST-TIME FEATURE FILM DIRECTOR
MAGGIE GYLLENHAAL
The Lost Daughter
(Netflix)
This is Ms. Gyllenhaal’s first DGA Award nomination.
OUTSTANDING DIRECTORIAL ACHIEVEMENT IN DRAMATIC SERIES
MARK MYLOD
Succession, “All the Bells Say”
(HBO)
Mr. Mylod’s Directorial Team:
- Unit Production Managers: Gabrielle Mahon, Scott Ferguson
- First Assistant Director: Christo Morse
- Second Assistant Directors: Michelle Flevotomas, Nicholas Notte
- Assistant Unit Production Manager: Robert Striem
- Location Manager: Paul Eskenazi
This is Mr. Mylod’s second DGA Award nomination. He was previously nominated in this category in 2020 for Succession, “This Is Not for Tears.”
OUTSTANDING DIRECTORIAL ACHIEVEMENT IN COMEDY SERIES
LUCIA ANIELLO
Hacks, “There Is No Line”
(HBO Max)
Ms. Aniello’s Directorial Team:
- Unit Production Managers: Melanie J. Elin, David Hyman
- First Assistant Director: Jeff Rosenberg
- Second Assistant Director: Erin Stern Linares
- Second Second Assistant Director: Heidi Hinzman
- Additional Second Assistant Director: Alaina Neumann
This is Ms. Aniello’s first DGA Award nomination.
OUTSTANDING DIRECTORIAL ACHIEVEMENT IN MOVIES FOR TELEVISION AND LIMITED SERIES
BARRY JENKINS
The Underground Railroad
(Amazon)
Mr. Jenkins’s Directorial Team:
- Unit Production Manager: Richleigh Heagh
- First Assistant Director: Liz Tan
- Second Assistant Director: Elaine Wood
- Second Second Assistant Director: Wayne Witherspoon
- Additional Second Assistant Directors: Jesse Carmona, AJ Bruno
This is Mr. Jenkins’s second DGA Award nomination. He was previously nominated in the Theatrical Feature Film category in 2016 for Moonlight.
OUTSTANDING DIRECTORIAL ACHIEVEMENT IN VARIETY/TALK/NEWS/SPORTS – REGULARLY SCHEDULED PROGRAMMING
DON ROY KING
Saturday Night Live, “Keegan-Michael Key; Olivia Rodrigo”
(NBC)
Mr. King’s Directorial Team:
- Associate Directors: Michael Mancini, Michael Poole, Laura Ouziel-Mack
- Stage Managers: Gena Rositano, Chris Kelly, Eddie Valk
This is Mr. King’s 16th DGA Award nomination. He previously won the DGA Award in this category for Saturday Night Live episodes: Dave Chappelle; Foo Fighters” in 2020, E. Murphy; Lizzo” in 2019, “Adam Driver; Kanye West” in 2018, “Host: Jimmy Fallon” in 2017, “Host: Dave Chappelle” in 2016 and for “Host: Justin Timberlake” in 2013. Mr. King also won the DGA Award for Variety/Talk/News/Sports – Specials for SNL 40th Anniversary Special in 2015. 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
PAUL DUGDALE
Adele: One Night Only
(CBS)
Mr. Dugdale’s Directorial Team:
- Associate Director: Hayley Collett
- Stage Managers: Gary Natoli, Erica Christensen, Zachary Figures, Jackie Stathis
This is Mr. Dugdale’s first DGA Award nomination.
OUTSTANDING DIRECTORIAL ACHIEVEMENT IN REALITY PROGRAMS
ADAM VETRI
Getaway Driver, “Electric Shock”
(Discovery Channel)
Mr. Vetri’s Directorial Team:
- Associate Director: John Esposito
- Stage Manager: Eric Pai
This is Mr. Vetri’s fourth DGA Award nomination. He won the DGA Award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Reality Programs in 2015 for Steve Austin’s Broken Skull Challenge, “Gods of War” and was previously nominated in this same category in 2014 for Steve Austin’s Broken Skull Challenge, “Welcome to the Gun Show” and in 2017 for Dare to Live, “Chainsmokers.”
OUTSTANDING DIRECTORIAL ACHIEVEMENT IN CHILDREN’S PROGRAMS
SMRITI MUNDHRA
Through Our Eyes, “Shelter”
(HBO Max)
This is Ms. Mundhra’s first DGA Award nomination.
OUTSTANDING DIRECTORIAL ACHIEVEMENT IN COMMERCIALS
BRADFORD YOUNG
(Serial Pictures x Somesuch)
Super. Human., Channel 4 Paralympics – 4Creative
- First Assistant Director: Jez Oakley
This is Mr. Young’s first DGA Award nomination.
OUTSTANDING DIRECTORIAL ACHIEVEMENT IN DOCUMENTARY
STANLEY NELSON
Attica
(Showtime)
This is Mr. Nelson’s first DGA Award nomination.
HONORARY LIFE MEMBER & SERVICE AWARD RECIPIENTS
Renowned director Spike Lee was the recipient of the DGA 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.
Joseph P. Reidy received the Frank Capra Achievement Award, which is given to an Assistant Director or Unit Production Manager in recognition of career achievement in the industry and service to the Directors Guild of America.
Garry W. Hood received the Franklin J. Schaffner Achievement Award, which is given to an Associate Director or Stage Manager in recognition of service to the industry and to the Directors Guild of America.