Entry Criteria:

Director Eligibility:

• A Director may only submit one entry for consideration.
• Entries are accepted only from the Director of the program. An entry found to be submitted without the Director’s knowledge will be immediately disqualified.

Film Eligibility:

• Documentary films that had a seven (7) day qualifying run in a United States-based commercial theater or traditional commercial theatrical release during the period of January 1, 2025 through December 31, 2025 are eligible.
• Documentary films that were exhibited theatrically and simultaneously released on video-on-demand (pay-per-view or streaming) on a national platform during the period of January 1, 2025 through December 31, 2025 are also eligible.
• Documentary films produced for and distributed on streaming services are eligible, however, they must be covered under a DGA Agreement.
• Documentary films broadcast nationally on U.S. television are eligible, however, they must be covered under a DGA Agreement.
• Foreign/International documentaries are eligible for submission provided they meet the entry criteria. Non-English language submissions must be subtitled in English.

Length:
• A feature-length film is defined as more than 40 minutes.

Credit:
• The Director must have exercised all traditional directorial functions in connection with original photography and/or narration and received an on-screen “Directed By” credit.

Entry Requirements:
• The Director must submit a completed DGA Awards entry form. A confirmation e-mail will be sent upon receipt of the entry form.

Entry Links:
• The Director must provide a secure, password protected HD link of the Documentary Film to be forwarded to the members of the Documentary Film Screening Committee. HD links that do not meet the following criteria will not be accepted.
• All submission links must:
  • Include the film’s start and end credits; and a “DIRECTED BY” credit.
  • Go directly to the entry. The link should not allow viewers to access any other project or contain any additional information about the project.
  • Not require additional information to access the entry beyond a password. Viewers should not be asked to enter their email address or create an account.
  • Include at least 150 unique views or access codes.
  • Not have geo-blocking enabled as there may be international jury participation.
  • Remain active for the duration of Awards. Link views should not expire before Friday, February 6, 2026.
  • A watermark may be included provided it does not obscure the entry.

Entry Deadline:

• All Documentary Film entry forms and HD link submissions must be received in the Awards office by 5:00 p.m. PT on FRIDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2025. No entries will be accepted after the deadline.

Judging Process:

• All eligible Documentary Film entries will be viewed by a Documentary Film Screening Committee that votes by secret ballot. The entries that receive the highest number of votes will be announced as the 2025 DGA Documentary Film Director Nominees on Wednesday, January 7, 2026.


• The Documentary Film Screening Committee will then vote by secret ballot to select the Winner of the 2025 DGA Award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Documentary. The Winner will be announced at the 78th Annual DGA Awards Dinner on Saturday, February 7, 2026.

Should you have any questions, please contact the DGA Awards Office at Awards@dga.org or (310) 289-2038.