The DGA Awards is our annual opportunity to celebrate outstanding directorial achievement and we welcome your entry. All First-Time Feature Film entries that conform to the entry criteria will be placed on the DGA Awards First-Time Feature Film Nomination Ballot.

This award category is open to both DGA and non-DGA First-Time Feature Film Directors. Please read the following eligibility criteria carefully as it has been modified to better address the impact the pandemic has had on traditional Theatrical Feature Film exhibition during the eligibility period of January 1, 2020 – February 28, 2021 and to ensure that all eligible First-Time Feature Films are included.

You must agree to these rules at the bottom of the page in order to go to the Entry Form.

1. First-Time Feature Films Released During the Period of January 1, 2020 - March 16, 2020:
   First-Time Feature Films that had a traditional commercial theatrical release, or seven day (7) day qualifying run in a Los Angeles or New York based commercial theater chain during the period of January 1, 2020-March 16, 2020, and meet eligibility requirements, will be eligible for submission and included on the DGA Awards First-Time Feature Film Nomination Ballot.


2. First-Time Feature Films Released During the Period of March 16, 2020 - February 28,2021:
   A First-Time Feature Film, that had a theatrical release or seven (7) day qualifying run in Los Angeles, New York or other major metropolitan area in the United States (or in the case of international films, their country of origin) or had a planned, scheduled or intended theatrical release but was instead released on video-on-demand (pay-per-view or streaming) on a national platform for seven (7) consecutive days after March 16, 2020, is eligible for entry.


3. Eligibility:
   
   
   
   • This award category is open to both DGA and non-DGA Theatrical Feature Film Directors.
   
   
   • Entries will only be accepted from the Director of the Theatrical Feature Film.
   
   
   • A feature length film is defined as more than 40 minutes.
   
   
   • Feature Films that are exhibited theatrically and exhibited or distributed simultaneously on any other platforms are eligible.
   
   
   • If a director directed a prior Feature Film that went straight to DVD, VOD, or television he or she would be eligible to enter in this category.
   
   
   • First-time co-directors are eligible.
   
   
   • The director is eligible to be nominated or to win either the DGA Outstanding Directorial Achievement of a Theatrical First-Time Feature Film Director Award and/or the DGA Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Theatrical Feature Film Award, provided the film meets the eligibility criteria for each category.
   
   The following precludes a director from awards consideration in this category:
   
   
   • If a director directed a prior Feature Film that went straight to DVD, VOD, or television he or she would be eligible to enter in this category. If that same Feature Film received international theatrical distribution, it would preclude the director from being eligible to enter for this award.
   
   
   • If a director was a co-director (or one of multiple directors) on a previous Theatrical Feature Film, it would preclude the director from being eligible to enter for this award.
   
   
   • If a director has directed more than one film that has been released theatrically in an international market, it would preclude the director from being eligible to enter for this award.
   
   
   • Re-releases are not eligible.
   
   
   • Animated films are not eligible.
   
   
   • Documentaries are not eligible (in this category).


4. Credit: The Director must have exercised all traditional Theatrical Feature Film directorial functions in connection with original photography and received an on-screen “Directed By” credit


5. The Director must provide a secure, password protected HD link of the First-Time Feature Film, with the following specifications: QuickTime Movie in Apple ProRes, 1920 x 1080. This link will be forwarded to the members of the DGA Awards First-Time Feature Film Screening Committee and must remain active for the duration of the voting period.

Entry Deadlines:

• For First-Time Feature Director entries with a planned, scheduled, or actual theatrical release during the period of January 1, 2020 through December 31, 2020, the deadline is: THURSDAY, JANUARY 7, 2021 by 5:00PM PST.


• For First-Time Feature Director entries with a planned, scheduled, or actual theatrical release during the period of January 1, 2021- February 28, 2021, the deadline is: MONDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 2021 by 5:00PM PST.


• Entries will not be accepted after the published deadlines.

Judging Process:

• All eligible First-Time Feature Film entries will be viewed by a Director Member First-Time Feature Film Screening Committee that votes by secret ballot. The five entries that receive the highest number of votes will be announced as the 2020 DGA First-Time Feature Film Nominees on Tuesday, March 9, 2021. The First-Time Feature Film Screening Committee will then vote by secret ballot to select the winner of the 2020 DGA First-Time Feature Film Directorial Award. The winner will be announced at the 73rd Annual DGA Awards on Saturday, April 10, 2021.

Should you have any questions, please contact Awards Administrator Maggie Holmes Awards@dga.org or (310) 289-2038.